Pajaro, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pajaro, California had a total population of 2,899, the 801st largest community in California, with a median household income of $84,875, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 4.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.8x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 12.1% is notably above the national average.
Pajaro Quick Facts
How Pajaro 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 | 2,480 | 2,899 | +16.9% |
| Median household income | $82,083 | $84,875 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $638,400 | $750,000 | +17.5% |
How Pajaro 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pajaro Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Monterey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | 13.6% | $654,100 |
| Seaside | 31,814 | $85,311 | 16.0% | $787,100 |
| Monterey | 29,613 | $102,846 | 9.8% | $1,076,300 |
| Soledad | 26,365 | $96,862 | 16.7% | $595,900 |
| Marina | 22,563 | $95,955 | 12.2% | $818,700 |
| Greenfield | 20,232 | $84,740 | 11.4% | $531,400 |
| Prunedale | 19,723 | $103,819 | 11.1% | $833,400 |
| Pacific Grove | 14,951 | $106,065 | 7.6% | $1,190,400 |
| King City | 13,604 | $66,761 | 22.9% | $449,900 |
| Gonzales | 8,492 | $77,672 | 6.4% | $618,800 |
Cities Similar to Pajaro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stallion Springs | 2,937 | $87,321 | $432,500 | 28.1% | 5.0% |
| Pine Hills | 2,875 | $78,393 | $487,800 | 24.9% | 16.1% |
| Lake Shastina | 3,001 | $80,542 | $358,400 | 31.9% | 12.2% |
| Pine Grove | 3,040 | $89,311 | $412,900 | 21.9% | 5.9% |
| Arbuckle | 3,093 | $86,942 | $394,100 | 9.4% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Pajaro is a small community located in California, within Monterey County. The total population is 2,899. It ranks as the 801st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pajaro is 30.1 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, Pajaro has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pajaro is $84,875. This is 14% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.3%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.1%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $750,000. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 31.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pajaro has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 95.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (95.0% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
4.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 87% 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 44.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pajaro, 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 Pajaro, California?
Pajaro, California has a population of 2,899 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pajaro, CA?
The median household income in Pajaro is $84,875, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pajaro, CA?
The poverty rate in Pajaro is 19.3%. This means approximately 560 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pajaro, California?
Pajaro's population is 2.5% White, 2.3% Black, 95.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pajaro, CA?
The median home value in Pajaro is $750,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Pajaro, California?
4.8% of adults (25+) in Pajaro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.