Portola city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Portola city, California has a total population of 2,462, the 853rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $42,385, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 17.3% is notably above the national average.
Portola city Quick Facts
How Portola city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portola city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Portola city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Taft CDP | 2,534 | $41,875 | $155,700 | 9.2% | 40.1% |
| Sky Valley CDP | 2,437 | $47,656 | $136,500 | 20.2% | 17.9% |
| Frazier Park CDP | 2,322 | $40,839 | $336,400 | 31.9% | 31.1% |
| Bayview CDP (Humboldt County) | 2,708 | $44,239 | $254,500 | 21.3% | 31.8% |
| Kings Beach CDP | 2,493 | $53,964 | $680,200 | 27.3% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Portola city is a small community located in California. The total population is 2,462. It ranks as the 853rd most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portola city is 36.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portola city is $42,385. This is 56% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.3%. This is 128% 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 17.3%. This is 170% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $232,100. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portola city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (71.0% vs 34.6%). The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portola city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portola city, California?
Portola city, California has a population of 2,462 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portola city, CA?
The median household income in Portola city is $42,385, which is 46% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Portola city, CA?
The poverty rate in Portola city is 27.3%. This means approximately 667 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portola city, California?
Portola city's population is 71.0% White, 0.0% Black, 22.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portola city, CA?
The median home value in Portola city is $232,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Portola city, California?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Portola city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.