Pasadena, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pasadena, California had a total population of 136,969, the 45th largest city in California, with a median household income of $105,192, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
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 10.4x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 72/100).
Pasadena Quick Facts
How Pasadena 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 | 136,462 | 136,969 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $105,192 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $1,045,000 | $1,093,300 | +4.6% |
How Pasadena 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pasadena Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
| Downey | 110,939 | $90,699 | 9.0% | $796,600 |
Cities Similar to Pasadena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | $902,600 | 43.5% | 12.3% |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | $945,800 | 39.7% | 9.5% |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | $1,074,700 | 54.0% | 7.8% |
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | $797,600 | 37.5% | 8.2% |
| Clovis | 124,725 | $99,241 | $482,700 | 36.6% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Pasadena is a major urban center located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 136,969. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pasadena is 40.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pasadena is $105,192. This is 6% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 30% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,093,300. Housing costs are 49% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 42.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pasadena is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.0% vs 5.2%).
Education
56.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 89.9%. Notably, 26.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pasadena, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Pasadena, California?
Pasadena, California has a population of 136,969 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pasadena, CA?
The median household income in Pasadena is $105,192, which is 30% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pasadena, CA?
The poverty rate in Pasadena is 13.3%. This means approximately 17,895 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pasadena, California?
Pasadena's population is 34.9% White, 8.0% Black, 34.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 17.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pasadena, CA?
The median home value in Pasadena is $1,093,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.4x.
How educated is Pasadena, California?
56.1% of adults (25+) in Pasadena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.