Smith River, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Smith River, California had a total population of 898, the 1092nd largest community in California. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Smith River Quick Facts
How Smith River 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 | 1,270 | 898 | -29.3% |
| Median home value | $345,800 | $382,200 | +10.5% |
How Smith River 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+)
Smith River Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Del Norte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent City | 6,046 | $35,540 | 17.2% | $306,500 |
| Bertsch-Oceanview | 2,250 | $73,173 | 9.6% | $191,300 |
| Fort Dick | 1,365 | $70,610 | 15.6% | $307,400 |
| Klamath | 931 | $46,979 | 31.1% | $221,300 |
| Gasquet | 346 | $48,750 | 27.5% | $267,100 |
| Hiouchi | 105 | $32,957 | 20.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Smith River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tres Pinos | 901 | N/A | $1,036,000 | 38.7% | 0.2% |
| Waterloo | 894 | $221,850 | $847,800 | 20.3% | 5.5% |
| Airport | 903 | $32,159 | $441,700 | 0.9% | 41.4% |
| North Edwards | 903 | $45,568 | $172,700 | 13.2% | 27.1% |
| Silverado Resort | 892 | $173,832 | $1,596,400 | 75.5% | 3.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 898, Smith River'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
Smith River is a small community located in California, within Del Norte County. The total population is 898. It ranks as the 1092nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Smith River is 28.1 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 41.3% of the population under 18, Smith River has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $382,200. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $734,700. 81.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Smith River is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 35.6%.
Education
6.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Smith River, 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 Smith River, California?
Smith River, California has a population of 898 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Smith River, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Smith River — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Smith River, CA?
The poverty rate in Smith River is 16.9%. This means approximately 152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Smith River, California?
Smith River's population is 39.6% White, 0.0% Black, 35.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Smith River, CA?
The median home value in Smith River is $382,200.
How educated is Smith River, California?
6.6% of adults (25+) in Smith River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.