Penn Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Penn Valley, California had a total population of 1,678, the 932nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $64,737, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.7x the median household income.
Penn Valley Quick Facts
How Penn Valley 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 | 1,197 | 1,678 | +40.2% |
| Median household income | $62,966 | $64,737 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $530,100 | $500,700 | -5.5% |
How Penn Valley 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+)
Penn Valley Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Nevada County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truckee | 17,066 | $130,462 | 8.9% | $947,900 |
| Grass Valley | 14,113 | $51,764 | 22.1% | $482,200 |
| Alta Sierra (Nevada County) | 7,361 | $105,603 | 6.3% | $563,700 |
| Lake of the Pines | 5,461 | $121,682 | 8.5% | $664,300 |
| Lake Wildwood | 4,792 | $85,771 | 8.2% | $551,800 |
| Nevada City | 3,172 | $75,792 | 8.9% | $677,400 |
| Rough and Ready | 736 | $102,725 | 1.2% | $691,500 |
| North San Juan | 179 | N/A | 50.8% | $549,600 |
| Soda Springs | 150 | N/A | 15.3% | $840,000 |
| Washington | 129 | N/A | 23.3% | $323,900 |
Cities Similar to Penn Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Bella | 1,659 | $62,530 | $236,500 | 3.7% | 17.0% |
| Searles Valley | 1,713 | $62,500 | $80,800 | 14.5% | 24.3% |
| Warm Springs | 1,673 | $70,341 | $329,100 | 8.6% | 24.0% |
| Temelec | 1,628 | $67,582 | $679,800 | 57.8% | 5.5% |
| Big Pine | 1,615 | $67,583 | $307,600 | 22.6% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
Penn Valley is a small community located in California, within Nevada County. The total population is 1,678. It ranks as the 932nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Penn Valley is 43.8 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 13.2% 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 Penn Valley is $64,737. This is 35% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Penn Valley, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $500,700. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Penn Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (75.9% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (16.2%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Penn Valley, 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 Penn Valley, California?
Penn Valley, California has a population of 1,678 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Penn Valley, CA?
The median household income in Penn Valley is $64,737, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Penn Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Penn Valley is 9.3%. This means approximately 156 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Penn Valley, California?
Penn Valley's population is 75.9% White, 0.0% Black, 16.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Penn Valley, CA?
The median home value in Penn Valley is $500,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.7x.
How educated is Penn Valley, California?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Penn Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.