Ruth, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruth, California had a total population of 480, the 1225th largest community in California, with a median household income of $78,247, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Ruth Quick Facts
How Ruth 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 | 165 | 480 | +190.9% |
How Ruth 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+)
Ruth Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Trinity County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weaverville | 4,018 | $65,787 | 17.5% | $339,300 |
| Hayfork | 2,537 | $44,434 | 44.3% | $336,600 |
| Lewiston | 2,020 | $39,968 | 17.6% | $310,300 |
| Junction City | 1,190 | $48,250 | 16.1% | $283,300 |
| Douglas City | 1,060 | $31,827 | 28.5% | $334,200 |
| Salyer | 487 | $55,000 | 0.0% | $383,300 |
| Trinity Center | 414 | $58,750 | 17.4% | $343,800 |
| Burnt Ranch | 318 | $49,226 | 27.0% | $494,400 |
| Coffee Creek | 280 | $76,250 | 6.1% | $372,600 |
| Mad River | 272 | N/A | 8.5% | $253,700 |
Cities Similar to Ruth
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keene | 469 | N/A | $520,800 | 36.9% | 0.0% |
| Graeagle | 496 | N/A | $489,500 | 22.7% | 12.1% |
| Cowan | 497 | N/A | $364,300 | 8.4% | 5.5% |
| Chalfant | 483 | $83,077 | $328,700 | 25.5% | 5.4% |
| San Ardo | 462 | N/A | $445,900 | 0.0% | 40.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 480, Ruth's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Ruth is a small community located in California, within Trinity County. The total population is 480. It ranks as the 1225th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruth is 57.5 years. This is 52% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 2.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruth is $78,247. This is 21% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. 32.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ruth has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (97.1% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
3.2% 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 91% 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 74.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruth, 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 Ruth, California?
Ruth, California has a population of 480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruth, CA?
The median household income in Ruth is $78,247, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruth, CA?
The poverty rate in Ruth is 7.9%. This means approximately 38 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruth, California?
Ruth's population is 97.1% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruth, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Ruth — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Ruth, California?
3.2% of adults (25+) in Ruth hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.