San Bernardino city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

San Bernardino city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 221,774. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in San Bernardino city is 31.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in San Bernardino city is $63,988. This is 34% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $384,900. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 48.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in San Bernardino city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 69.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.8%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (11.2% vs 5.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (69.6% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

12.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 73.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for San Bernardino city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.