Riverside, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Riverside, California had a total population of 319,069, the 12th largest city in California, with a median household income of $91,045, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Riverside Quick Facts
How Riverside 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 | 326,414 | 319,069 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $84,974 | $91,045 | +7.1% |
| Median home value¹ | $449,578 | $584,800 | +30.1% |
| Median gross rent | $1,696 | $1,914 | +12.9% |
How Riverside 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: 26.1%
- Black: 5.9%
- Hispanic: 55.6%
- Asian: 8.0%
- Other: 0.4%
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: 16.8%
- HS Diploma: 29.0%
- Some College: 20.7%
- Associate's: 7.9%
- Bachelor's: 15.3%
- Graduate+: 10.4%
Riverside Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Riverside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | 11.7% | $503,700 |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | 8.7% | $700,700 |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | 5.4% | $639,800 |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | 7.3% | $679,700 |
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | 9.5% | $537,300 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | 11.0% | $574,600 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | 11.5% | $458,400 |
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | 14.9% | $352,200 |
| Perris | 80,511 | $88,911 | 10.7% | $474,700 |
| Lake Elsinore | 72,461 | $101,888 | 9.4% | $566,000 |
Cities Similar to Riverside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | $713,000 | 18.3% | 10.8% |
| Stockton | 322,326 | $79,907 | $440,900 | 20.0% | 15.5% |
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | $831,200 | 29.7% | 12.4% |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | $1,191,500 | 70.6% | 10.8% |
| Chula Vista | 276,375 | $108,032 | $758,700 | 33.2% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Riverside is a major urban center located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 319,069. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Riverside is 33.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Riverside is $91,045. This is 8% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 13% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $584,800. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Riverside is Hispanic or Latino, making up 55.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.1%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Riverside, 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 Riverside, California?
Riverside, California has a population of 319,069 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Riverside, CA?
The median household income in Riverside is $91,045, which is 13% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Riverside, CA?
The poverty rate in Riverside is 12.2%. This means approximately 37,319 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Riverside, California?
Riverside's population is 26.1% White, 5.9% Black, 55.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Riverside, CA?
The median home value in Riverside is $584,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Riverside, California?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Riverside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.