Salinas, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salinas, California had a total population of 161,761, the 33rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $91,908, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.6%.
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 7.1x the median household income.
Salinas Quick Facts
How Salinas 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 | 161,993 | 161,761 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $89,150 | $91,908 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $610,900 | $654,100 | +7.1% |
How Salinas 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+)
Salinas Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Monterey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Prunedale | 19,723 | $103,819 | 11.1% | $833,400 |
| 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 Salinas
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | $814,100 | 25.3% | 12.3% |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | $471,000 | 17.1% | 15.7% |
| Escondido | 149,668 | $91,967 | $714,500 | 28.9% | 12.2% |
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | $770,300 | 36.1% | 8.3% |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | $700,700 | 32.4% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Salinas is a major urban center located in California, within Monterey County. The total population is 161,761. It ranks as the 33rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salinas is 32.4 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 29.4% of the population under 18, Salinas has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salinas is $91,908. This is 7% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.6%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $654,100. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salinas is Hispanic or Latino, making up 80.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.0%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (80.9% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
16.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 62.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salinas, 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 Salinas, California?
Salinas, California has a population of 161,761 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salinas, CA?
The median household income in Salinas is $91,908, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salinas, CA?
The poverty rate in Salinas is 13.6%. This means approximately 21,817 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salinas, California?
Salinas's population is 11.0% White, 1.1% Black, 80.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salinas, CA?
The median home value in Salinas is $654,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Salinas, California?
16.5% of adults (25+) in Salinas hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.