Portola, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portola, California had a total population of 2,441, the 854th largest city in California, with a median household income of $44,492, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.4% is notably above the national average.
Portola Quick Facts
How Portola 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 | 2,462 | 2,441 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $42,385 | $44,492 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $232,100 | $231,300 | -0.3% |
How Portola 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portola Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Plumas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Quincy | 2,723 | $70,213 | 5.6% | $322,600 |
| Chester | 1,759 | $47,129 | 11.3% | $304,800 |
| Quincy | 1,317 | $89,000 | 9.2% | $300,500 |
| Delleker | 724 | $53,698 | 5.9% | $334,800 |
| Chilcoot-Vinton | 686 | $122,764 | 15.3% | N/A |
| Graeagle | 496 | N/A | 12.1% | $489,500 |
| Hamilton Branch | 480 | $109,118 | 19.0% | $367,600 |
| Lake Almanor Country Club | 469 | $80,917 | 9.0% | $648,900 |
| Lake Almanor West | 463 | $184,286 | 16.0% | $696,300 |
| Iron Horse | 434 | N/A | 0.0% | $315,500 |
Cities Similar to Portola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayfork | 2,537 | $44,434 | $336,600 | 29.3% | 44.3% |
| Sonoma State University | 2,210 | N/A | N/A | 40.5% | N/A |
| Strathmore | 2,675 | $43,387 | $213,200 | 1.5% | 32.6% |
| Homestead Valley | 2,689 | $45,323 | $245,900 | 13.6% | 28.0% |
| Nice | 2,569 | $52,014 | $172,800 | 20.1% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
Portola is a small community located in California, within Plumas County. The total population is 2,441. It ranks as the 854th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portola is 40.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portola is $44,492. This is 55% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 86% 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 12.4%. This is 88% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $231,300. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portola is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (72.8% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (16.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portola, 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 Portola, California?
Portola, California has a population of 2,441 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portola, CA?
The median household income in Portola is $44,492, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portola, CA?
The poverty rate in Portola is 22.3%. This means approximately 543 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portola, California?
Portola's population is 72.8% White, 0.0% Black, 16.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portola, CA?
The median home value in Portola is $231,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Portola, California?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Portola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.