Malibu, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Malibu, California had a total population of 10,421, the 489th largest city in California, with a median household income of $194,421, which is 96% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 96% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 68.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.3x the median household income.
Malibu Quick Facts
How Malibu Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,516 | 10,421 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $192,159 | $194,421 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Malibu Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
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+)
Malibu Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
Cities Similar to Malibu
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 10,937 | $175,707 | $1,055,200 | 59.1% | 2.5% |
| Corte Madera | 10,077 | $232,763 | $1,755,200 | 79.3% | 4.6% |
| Rancho Mission Viejo | 11,971 | $192,813 | $1,110,100 | 62.9% | 2.7% |
| Rossmoor | 11,532 | $211,597 | $1,406,900 | 62.3% | 4.2% |
| Blackhawk | 10,137 | $245,208 | $2,000,000+ | 69.7% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Malibu is a small city located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 10,421. It ranks as the 489th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malibu is 53.9 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 12.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malibu is $194,421. This is 96% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 141% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 172% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 75.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Malibu is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (78.1% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
68.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Malibu in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 85% higher 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 98.2%. Notably, 31.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Malibu, 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 Malibu, California?
Malibu, California has a population of 10,421 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malibu, CA?
The median household income in Malibu is $194,421, which is 141% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Malibu, CA?
The poverty rate in Malibu is 12.6%. This means approximately 1,306 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malibu, California?
Malibu's population is 78.1% White, 0.8% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malibu, CA?
The median home value in Malibu is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.3x.
How educated is Malibu, California?
68.6% of adults (25+) in Malibu hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.