Phelan, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Phelan, California had a total population of 18,496, the 370th largest community in California, with a median household income of $79,914, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 12.9% is notably above the national average.
Phelan Quick Facts
How Phelan Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,987 | 18,496 | No clear change (+15.7%) |
| Median household income | $73,073 | $79,914 | No clear change (+9.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $292,662 | $386,800 | +32.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,365 | $1,525 | No clear change (+11.7%) |
How Phelan Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 47.0%
- Black: 0.5%
- Hispanic: 45.0%
- Asian: 3.0%
- Other: 0.5%
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+)
- < High School: 12.6%
- HS Diploma: 39.9%
- Some College: 26.8%
- Associate's: 8.3%
- Bachelor's: 6.8%
- Graduate+: 5.6%
Phelan Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Bernardino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 222,724 | $67,415 | 18.6% | $422,300 |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | 9.9% | $586,800 |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | 12.4% | $607,600 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | 8.0% | $740,200 |
| Victorville | 137,627 | $74,410 | 18.4% | $385,600 |
| Rialto | 104,143 | $88,857 | 12.7% | $487,900 |
| Hesperia | 100,775 | $72,160 | 17.0% | $409,000 |
| Chino | 92,652 | $104,682 | 8.0% | $683,400 |
| Upland | 79,257 | $105,830 | 9.3% | $739,400 |
| Chino Hills | 77,927 | $126,334 | 7.6% | $874,900 |
Cities Similar to Phelan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olivehurst | 18,444 | $83,214 | $384,500 | 13.2% | 10.6% |
| Stanford | 18,662 | $75,208 | $2,000,000+ | 92.3% | 15.9% |
| Santa Fe Springs | 18,871 | $88,238 | $659,900 | 23.0% | 13.0% |
| Mead Valley | 19,286 | $86,795 | $446,200 | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| South El Monte | 19,287 | $72,990 | $601,000 | 10.5% | 20.9% |
Population Overview
Phelan is a small city located in California, within San Bernardino County. The total population is 18,496. It ranks as the 370th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Phelan is 33.4 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Phelan is $79,914. This is 19% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.9%. This is 96% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $386,800. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 81.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Phelan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 45.0%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.4% 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 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Phelan, 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 Phelan, California?
Phelan, California has a population of 18,496 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Phelan, CA?
The median household income in Phelan is $79,914, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Phelan, CA?
The poverty rate in Phelan is 12.7%. This means approximately 2,346 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Phelan, California?
Phelan's population is 47.0% White, 0.5% Black, 45.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Phelan, CA?
The median home value in Phelan is $386,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Phelan, California?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Phelan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.