Oakland city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Oakland city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 438,072. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Oakland city is 37.6 years. This is about average than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Oakland city is $97,369. This is 1% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% higher. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $924,700. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 41.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Oakland city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.5% vs 5.3%).

Education

47.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% higher 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 84.8%. Notably, 21.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Oakland 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.