Orange, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Orange, California had a total population of 138,266, the 43rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $117,113, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.1x the median household income.
Orange Quick Facts
How Orange 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 | 138,723 | 138,266 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $117,113 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $900,700 | $945,800 | +5.0% |
How Orange 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Orange Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | 10.8% | $713,000 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | 9.1% | $1,115,100 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
| Lake Forest | 86,281 | $135,175 | 8.5% | $937,000 |
Cities Similar to Orange
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | $1,074,700 | 54.0% | 7.8% |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | $1,093,300 | 56.1% | 13.3% |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | $902,600 | 43.5% | 12.3% |
| Simi Valley | 125,634 | $122,081 | $823,800 | 39.1% | 6.4% |
| Roseville | 155,955 | $119,288 | $661,400 | 44.3% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Orange is a major urban center located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 138,266. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Orange is 37.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Orange is $117,113. This is 18% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 45% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $945,800. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Orange is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.2%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
39.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% higher 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Orange, 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 Orange, California?
Orange, California has a population of 138,266 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Orange, CA?
The median household income in Orange is $117,113, which is 45% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Orange, CA?
The poverty rate in Orange is 9.5%. This means approximately 12,622 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Orange, California?
Orange's population is 39.2% White, 1.5% Black, 39.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 13.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Orange, CA?
The median home value in Orange is $945,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.1x.
How educated is Orange, California?
39.7% of adults (25+) in Orange hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.