Oroville, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oroville, California had a total population of 19,752, the 350th largest city in California, with a median household income of $52,270, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Oroville Quick Facts
How Oroville 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 | 19,855 | 19,752 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $51,893 | $52,270 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $280,600 | $311,600 | +11.0% |
How Oroville 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+)
Oroville Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Butte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | 102,188 | $66,977 | 22.7% | $468,100 |
| Oroville East | 7,504 | $94,512 | 8.7% | $405,400 |
| Paradise | 7,392 | $67,687 | 18.2% | $416,000 |
| Magalia | 7,389 | $56,920 | 11.8% | $280,600 |
| Gridley | 7,330 | $57,974 | 17.9% | $312,800 |
| Thermalito | 6,720 | $54,865 | 20.4% | $254,900 |
| Durham | 5,340 | $95,417 | 10.2% | $700,100 |
| Palermo | 5,266 | $50,588 | 20.2% | $283,000 |
| South Oroville | 2,846 | $65,409 | 33.7% | $261,500 |
| Kelly Ridge | 2,825 | $54,631 | 12.3% | $277,600 |
Cities Similar to Oroville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arvin | 19,539 | $49,183 | $262,700 | 5.0% | 34.6% |
| Lennox | 19,449 | $57,759 | $708,000 | 10.8% | 16.4% |
| Arcata | 18,607 | $46,713 | $484,600 | 46.3% | 27.2% |
| Cudahy | 22,087 | $56,615 | $494,100 | 6.5% | 28.7% |
| Chowchilla | 19,020 | $66,514 | $364,000 | 15.6% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Oroville is a small city located in California, within Butte County. The total population is 19,752. It ranks as the 350th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oroville is 35.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oroville is $52,270. This is 47% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 78% 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 7.7%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $311,600. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oroville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (54.6% vs 33.8%).
Education
12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oroville, 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 Oroville, California?
Oroville, California has a population of 19,752 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oroville, CA?
The median household income in Oroville is $52,270, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oroville, CA?
The poverty rate in Oroville is 21.4%. This means approximately 4,012 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oroville, California?
Oroville's population is 54.6% White, 3.5% Black, 21.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oroville, CA?
The median home value in Oroville is $311,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Oroville, California?
12.2% of adults (25+) in Oroville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.