Mecca, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mecca, California had a total population of 7,184, the 572nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $48,312, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Mecca Quick Facts
How Mecca 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 | 6,635 | 7,184 | No clear change (+8.3%) |
| Median household income | $29,045 | $48,312 | +66.3% |
| Median home value¹ | $195,067 | $224,300 | No clear change (+15.0%) |
| Median gross rent | $726 | $916 | +26.2% |
How Mecca 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: 0.4%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 98.4%
- 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: 60.1%
- HS Diploma: 22.7%
- Some College: 8.3%
- Associate's: 4.0%
- Bachelor's: 4.2%
- Graduate+: 0.6%
Mecca Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Riverside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | 12.2% | $584,800 |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | 11.7% | $503,700 |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | 8.7% | $700,700 |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | 5.4% | $639,800 |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | 7.3% | $679,700 |
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | 9.5% | $537,300 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | 11.0% | $574,600 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | 11.5% | $458,400 |
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | 14.9% | $352,200 |
| Perris | 80,511 | $88,911 | 10.7% | $474,700 |
Cities Similar to Mecca
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earlimart | 7,214 | $52,881 | $264,200 | 3.9% | 21.8% |
| Woodlake | 7,702 | $46,266 | $300,200 | 10.8% | 25.3% |
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| Fort Bragg | 7,032 | $56,481 | $535,400 | 26.4% | 18.2% |
| Magalia | 7,389 | $56,920 | $280,600 | 17.3% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Mecca is a small city located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 7,184. It ranks as the 572nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mecca is 32.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mecca is $48,312. This is 51% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $224,300. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mecca has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 98.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (98.4% vs 40.2%).
Education
4.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 87% 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 39.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mecca, 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 Mecca, California?
Mecca, California has a population of 7,184 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mecca, CA?
The median household income in Mecca is $48,312, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mecca, CA?
The poverty rate in Mecca is 17.8%. This means approximately 1,270 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mecca, California?
Mecca's population is 0.4% White, 0.0% Black, 98.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mecca, CA?
The median home value in Mecca is $224,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Mecca, California?
4.8% of adults (25+) in Mecca hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.