Paradise, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paradise, California had a total population of 7,392, the 561st largest town in California, with a median household income of $67,687, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Paradise Quick Facts
How Paradise 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 | 6,793 | 7,392 | +8.8% |
| Median household income | $67,042 | $67,687 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $391,100 | $416,000 | +6.4% |
How Paradise 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+)
Paradise 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 | 19,752 | $52,270 | 21.4% | $311,600 |
| Oroville East | 7,504 | $94,512 | 8.7% | $405,400 |
| 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 Paradise
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garnet | 7,382 | $72,694 | $267,900 | 11.4% | 11.2% |
| Heber | 7,312 | $72,028 | $335,600 | 24.1% | 10.6% |
| Fowler | 7,094 | $66,983 | $379,800 | 25.5% | 19.4% |
| Piñon Hills | 7,065 | $68,289 | $440,600 | 17.0% | 18.6% |
| Oceano | 7,128 | $71,598 | $556,100 | 21.2% | 17.2% |
Population Overview
Paradise is a small city located in California, within Butte County. The total population is 7,392. It ranks as the 561st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paradise is 57.4 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 21.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paradise is $67,687. This is 32% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 51% higher 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 $416,000. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 74.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paradise is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (78.8% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
31.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paradise, 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 Paradise, California?
Paradise, California has a population of 7,392 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paradise, CA?
The median household income in Paradise is $67,687, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paradise, CA?
The poverty rate in Paradise is 18.2%. This means approximately 1,309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paradise, California?
Paradise's population is 78.8% White, 0.6% Black, 9.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paradise, CA?
The median home value in Paradise is $416,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
How educated is Paradise, California?
31.9% of adults (25+) in Paradise hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.