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Oroville city, California Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Oroville city, California has a total population of 19,855, the 351st largest city in California, with a median household income of $51,893, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.

Key Takeaways

Oroville city Quick Facts

Population 19,855
Median Household Income $51,893
Median Home Value $280,600
Poverty Rate 21.8%
Unemployment Rate 6.8%
Median Age 35.5 years
Homeownership Rate 51.0%
Affordability Ratio 5.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 13.0%
High School Graduation Rate 83.0%
Diversity Index 61/100
Population 19,855 351st of 1,577
Median Income $51,893 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 21.8% 75% higher national
Median Home Value $280,600 bottom 20%

How Oroville city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.8% Unemployment Rate State: 6.4% | National: 5.2%
52.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 51.0%
Renter 49.0%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.4x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

61out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 69 | National average: 60

Education

Oroville city Rankings in California

#351 Population of 1,577
#1191 Median Income of 1,577
#1176 Education of 1,577
#1118 Home Value of 1,577

Cities Similar to Oroville city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Arvin city19,478$49,984$247,8004.3%31.7%
Lennox CDP20,289$60,307$677,60011.9%14.8%
Arcata city18,578$48,731$466,60045.1%29.6%
Blythe city17,824$51,984$203,8008.9%19.5%
Valle Vista CDP19,263$61,799$315,40014.8%18.3%

Population Overview

Oroville city is a small city located in California. The total population is 19,855. It ranks as the 351st most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Oroville city is 35.5 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Oroville city is $51,893. This is 46% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 82% 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 6.8%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $280,600. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 51.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Oroville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (56.6% vs 34.6%).

Education

13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 83.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Oroville 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 Oroville city, California?

Oroville city, California has a population of 19,855 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Oroville city is $51,893, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Oroville city, CA?

The poverty rate in Oroville city is 21.8%. This means approximately 4,117 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Oroville city, California?

Oroville city's population is 56.6% White, 3.2% Black, 20.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.3% Asian.

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

The median home value in Oroville city is $280,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.

How educated is Oroville city, California?

13.0% of adults (25+) in Oroville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.