Mendota, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mendota, California had a total population of 12,577, the 443rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $50,342, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% is notably above the national average.
Mendota Quick Facts
How Mendota 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 | 12,554 | 12,577 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $46,458 | $50,342 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $250,400 | $281,000 | +12.2% |
How Mendota 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+)
Mendota Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Fresno County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | 545,970 | $70,991 | 20.1% | $374,800 |
| Clovis | 124,725 | $99,241 | 8.0% | $482,700 |
| Sanger | 26,699 | $77,500 | 15.8% | $364,800 |
| Reedley | 25,609 | $63,307 | 22.3% | $334,800 |
| Selma | 24,659 | $60,241 | 19.0% | $315,300 |
| Coalinga | 17,203 | $75,451 | 21.7% | $262,400 |
| Kerman | 16,815 | $59,799 | 21.3% | $370,900 |
| Parlier | 14,507 | $52,357 | 27.1% | $256,400 |
| Kingsburg | 12,755 | $76,913 | 10.8% | $373,800 |
| Orange Cove | 9,695 | $46,629 | 34.0% | $254,000 |
Cities Similar to Mendota
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsay | 12,643 | $53,201 | $286,400 | 5.7% | 33.1% |
| Marysville | 12,726 | $56,430 | $292,300 | 15.7% | 24.5% |
| Avenal | 13,608 | $54,741 | $228,900 | 2.8% | 19.1% |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | $339,400 | 7.4% | 14.0% |
| Fortuna | 12,326 | $62,289 | $379,700 | 24.8% | 18.2% |
Population Overview
Mendota is a small city located in California, within Fresno County. The total population is 12,577. It ranks as the 443rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mendota is 26.6 years. This is 30% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 34.6% of the population under 18, Mendota has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mendota is $50,342. This is 49% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 129% 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 11.5%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $281,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 44.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mendota has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 97.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (97.0% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
5.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 86% 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 40.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mendota, 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 Mendota, California?
Mendota, California has a population of 12,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mendota, CA?
The median household income in Mendota is $50,342, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mendota, CA?
The poverty rate in Mendota is 27.5%. This means approximately 3,435 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mendota, California?
Mendota's population is 2.0% White, 0.0% Black, 97.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mendota, CA?
The median home value in Mendota is $281,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Mendota, California?
5.3% of adults (25+) in Mendota hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.