Mad River, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mad River, California had a total population of 272, the 1329th largest community in California. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 30.5% is notably above the national average.
Mad River Quick Facts
How Mad River Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458 | 272 | No clear change (-40.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $287,124 | $253,700 | No clear change (-11.6%) |
How Mad River Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 79.4%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 9.6%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 24.9%
- HS Diploma: 32.1%
- Some College: 18.7%
- Associate's: 14.3%
- Bachelor's: 6.2%
- Graduate+: 3.8%
Mad River Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Trinity County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weaverville | 4,018 | $65,787 | 17.5% | $339,300 |
| Hayfork | 2,537 | $44,434 | 44.3% | $336,600 |
| Lewiston | 2,020 | $39,968 | 17.6% | $310,300 |
| Junction City | 1,190 | $48,250 | 16.1% | $283,300 |
| Douglas City | 1,060 | $31,827 | 28.5% | $334,200 |
| Salyer | 487 | $55,000 | 0.0% | $383,300 |
| Ruth | 480 | $78,247 | 7.9% | N/A |
| Trinity Center | 414 | $58,750 | 17.4% | $343,800 |
| Burnt Ranch | 318 | $49,226 | 27.0% | $494,400 |
| Coffee Creek | 280 | $76,250 | 6.1% | $372,600 |
Cities Similar to Mad River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dos Palos Y | 273 | $35,368 | N/A | 34.6% | 11.7% |
| Honcut | 271 | $187,742 | $275,000 | 0.0% | 53.5% |
| Avery | 268 | $47,056 | $458,100 | 21.4% | 19.8% |
| Hornbrook | 268 | $32,222 | N/A | 10.0% | 32.5% |
| Volta | 268 | N/A | N/A | 10.2% | 41.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 272, Mad River's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Mad River is a small community located in California, within Trinity County. The total population is 272. It ranks as the 1329th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mad River is 59.1 years. This is 56% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 30.5%. This is 361% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $253,700. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $734,700. 86.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 54% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mad River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.4% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (9.6%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
10.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mad River, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Mad River, California?
Mad River, California has a population of 272 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mad River, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Mad River — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mad River, CA?
The poverty rate in Mad River is 8.5%. This means approximately 23 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mad River, California?
Mad River's population is 79.4% White, 0.0% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mad River, CA?
The median home value in Mad River is $253,700.
How educated is Mad River, California?
10.1% of adults (25+) in Mad River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.