Mendocino County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Mendocino County is located in California with a total population of 90,709. It is the 38th most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mendocino County is 43.9 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mendocino County is $64,688. This is 33% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $486,000. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Mendocino County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (62.1% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

24.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 86.2%.