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Mendota city, California Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 30.3% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Mendota city, California has a total population of 12,554, the 444th largest city in California, with a median household income of $46,458, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.3%.

Key Takeaways

Mendota city Quick Facts

Population 12,554
Median Household Income $46,458
Median Home Value $250,400
Poverty Rate 30.3%
Unemployment Rate 11.6%
Median Age 24.9 years
Homeownership Rate 47.1%
Affordability Ratio 5.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 4.5%
High School Graduation Rate 39.3%
Diversity Index 2/100
Population 12,554 444th of 1,577
Median Income $46,458 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 30.3% 144% higher national
Median Home Value $250,400 bottom 20%

How Mendota city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

11.6% Unemployment Rate State: 6.4% | National: 5.2%
61.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 47.1%
Renter 52.9%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.4x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

2out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 69 | National average: 60

Education

Mendota city Rankings in California

#444 Population of 1,577
#1259 Median Income of 1,577
#1418 Education of 1,577
#1178 Home Value of 1,577

Cities Similar to Mendota city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Lindsay city12,572$50,563$268,4005.2%29.9%
Marysville city12,703$58,150$282,70016.6%22.5%
Avenal city13,441$52,986$224,8004.4%22.1%
Grass Valley city14,126$48,850$458,40032.0%20.7%
Anderson city11,282$50,306$272,00015.1%20.4%

Population Overview

Mendota city is a small city located in California. The total population is 12,554. It ranks as the 444th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mendota city is 24.9 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 37.8% of the population under 18, Mendota city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mendota city is $46,458. This is 52% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.3%. This is 153% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.6%. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $250,400. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 47.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Mendota city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 99.1% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (99.1% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

4.5% 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 88% 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 39.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Mendota city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Mendota city, California?

Mendota city, California has a population of 12,554 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Mendota city, CA?

The median household income in Mendota city is $46,458, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Mendota city, CA?

The poverty rate in Mendota city is 30.3%. This means approximately 3,782 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Mendota city, California?

Mendota city's population is 0.5% White, 0.0% Black, 99.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Mendota city, CA?

The median home value in Mendota city is $250,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.

How educated is Mendota city, California?

4.5% of adults (25+) in Mendota city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.