Mariposa County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Mariposa County is located in California with a total population of 17,060. It is the 53rd most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mariposa County is 51.6 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 12.9% 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 Mariposa County is $65,378. This is 32% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $358,000. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 74.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Mariposa County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (76.4% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (13.7%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

30.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.5%.