Prunedale, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prunedale, California had a total population of 19,723, the 351st largest community in California, with a median household income of $103,819, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.0x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Prunedale Quick Facts
How Prunedale 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 | 19,286 | 19,723 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $106,442 | $103,819 | -2.5% |
| Median home value | $760,200 | $833,400 | +9.6% |
How Prunedale 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Prunedale Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Monterey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | 13.6% | $654,100 |
| Seaside | 31,814 | $85,311 | 16.0% | $787,100 |
| Monterey | 29,613 | $102,846 | 9.8% | $1,076,300 |
| Soledad | 26,365 | $96,862 | 16.7% | $595,900 |
| Marina | 22,563 | $95,955 | 12.2% | $818,700 |
| Greenfield | 20,232 | $84,740 | 11.4% | $531,400 |
| Pacific Grove | 14,951 | $106,065 | 7.6% | $1,190,400 |
| King City | 13,604 | $66,761 | 22.9% | $449,900 |
| Gonzales | 8,492 | $77,672 | 6.4% | $618,800 |
| Castroville | 6,720 | $89,354 | 18.4% | $617,100 |
Cities Similar to Prunedale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon | 19,683 | $102,878 | $604,800 | 23.8% | 10.2% |
| Lomita | 20,225 | $93,810 | $831,500 | 36.0% | 13.0% |
| Arroyo Grande | 18,372 | $102,553 | $814,200 | 45.3% | 4.8% |
| Valinda | 20,962 | $100,165 | $636,700 | 16.3% | 8.1% |
| Cameron Park | 18,315 | $102,289 | $667,900 | 37.5% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Prunedale is a small city located in California, within Monterey County. The total population is 19,723. It ranks as the 351st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prunedale is 37.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prunedale is $103,819. This is 5% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 29% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.5%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $833,400. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 76.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Prunedale is Hispanic or Latino, making up 50.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.3%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 79.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prunedale, 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 Prunedale, California?
Prunedale, California has a population of 19,723 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prunedale, CA?
The median household income in Prunedale is $103,819, which is 29% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prunedale, CA?
The poverty rate in Prunedale is 11.1%. This means approximately 2,184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prunedale, California?
Prunedale's population is 36.3% White, 1.4% Black, 50.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prunedale, CA?
The median home value in Prunedale is $833,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Prunedale, California?
23.8% of adults (25+) in Prunedale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.