Ontario city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ontario city, California has a total population of 178,347, the 25th largest city in California, with a median household income of $82,806, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Ontario city Quick Facts
How Ontario city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ontario city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Ontario city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale city | 192,270 | $84,262 | $1,043,900 | 45.5% | 13.4% |
| Palmdale city | 165,487 | $81,151 | $435,300 | 16.6% | 14.6% |
| Garden Grove city | 170,603 | $90,166 | $765,500 | 24.9% | 12.2% |
| Santa Rosa city | 177,216 | $97,410 | $685,000 | 34.8% | 9.5% |
| Lancaster city | 170,013 | $76,083 | $409,100 | 20.1% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Ontario city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 178,347. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ontario city is 33.1 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ontario city is $82,806. This is 14% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 6% 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 $568,000. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ontario city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 68.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.8%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (68.3% vs 39.8%).
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 77.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ontario 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 Ontario city, California?
Ontario city, California has a population of 178,347 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ontario city, CA?
The median household income in Ontario city is $82,806, which is 5% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ontario city, CA?
The poverty rate in Ontario city is 12.7%. This means approximately 22,441 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ontario city, California?
Ontario city's population is 13.8% White, 6.0% Black, 68.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ontario city, CA?
The median home value in Ontario city is $568,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.9x.
How educated is Ontario city, California?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Ontario city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.