Planada, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Planada, California had a total population of 3,506, the 745th largest community in California, with a median household income of $42,727, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 2.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Planada Quick Facts
How Planada 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 | 3,524 | 3,506 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $45,588 | $42,727 | -6.3% |
| Median home value | $237,200 | $266,400 | +12.3% |
How Planada 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+)
Planada Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | 23.9% | $372,600 |
| Los Banos | 47,593 | $68,171 | 17.3% | $440,900 |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | 20.9% | $363,400 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | 17.1% | $372,700 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | 14.0% | $339,400 |
| Delhi | 11,009 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $349,700 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | 22.9% | $308,200 |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | 4.0% | $441,700 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 6,132 | $79,948 | 12.8% | $449,600 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | 17.1% | $690,100 |
Cities Similar to Planada
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Dell | 3,349 | $42,753 | $301,700 | 10.7% | 17.6% |
| San Joaquin | 3,708 | $43,011 | $266,300 | 1.5% | 41.0% |
| North Shore | 3,515 | $51,795 | $203,900 | 1.5% | 7.6% |
| Squaw Valley | 3,361 | $49,904 | $271,700 | 27.5% | 16.3% |
| Empire | 3,429 | $52,563 | $335,200 | 7.7% | 22.3% |
Population Overview
Planada is a small community located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 3,506. It ranks as the 745th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Planada is 34.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Planada is $42,727. This is 57% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 78% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $266,400. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Planada has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 97.7% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (97.7% vs 40.2%).
Education
2.2% 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 94% 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 48.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Planada, 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 Planada, California?
Planada, California has a population of 3,506 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Planada, CA?
The median household income in Planada is $42,727, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Planada, CA?
The poverty rate in Planada is 21.4%. This means approximately 749 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Planada, California?
Planada's population is 1.5% White, 0.7% Black, 97.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Planada, CA?
The median home value in Planada is $266,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Planada, California?
2.2% of adults (25+) in Planada hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.