South Lake Tahoe, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Lake Tahoe, California had a total population of 21,269, the 341st largest city in California, with a median household income of $82,002, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
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 8.3x the median household income.
South Lake Tahoe Quick Facts
How South Lake Tahoe 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 | 21,319 | 21,269 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $73,940 | $82,002 | +10.9% |
| Median home value | $630,200 | $682,400 | +8.3% |
How South Lake Tahoe 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+)
South Lake Tahoe Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in El Dorado County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado Hills | 51,026 | $165,349 | 3.5% | $909,500 |
| Cameron Park | 18,315 | $102,289 | 7.0% | $667,900 |
| Diamond Springs | 10,927 | $77,219 | 15.6% | $423,400 |
| Placerville | 10,762 | $67,274 | 15.8% | $473,100 |
| Pollock Pines | 6,212 | $74,924 | 16.7% | $394,000 |
| Shingle Springs | 3,801 | $135,530 | 5.9% | $744,900 |
| Auburn Lake Trails | 3,284 | $134,007 | 6.9% | $560,300 |
| Georgetown | 2,403 | $91,765 | 7.2% | $374,600 |
| Camino | 2,079 | $85,341 | 0.7% | $498,900 |
| Meyers | 1,995 | $96,354 | 5.5% | $646,700 |
Cities Similar to South Lake Tahoe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosamond | 21,473 | $79,386 | $352,600 | 16.2% | 17.1% |
| Ashland | 22,210 | $81,702 | $775,800 | 20.8% | 16.4% |
| East Hemet | 20,257 | $82,096 | $419,700 | 13.1% | 18.8% |
| Imperial | 21,430 | $90,195 | $360,900 | 22.7% | 12.5% |
| Greenfield | 20,232 | $84,740 | $531,400 | 8.4% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
South Lake Tahoe is a small city located in California, within El Dorado County. The total population is 21,269. It ranks as the 341st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Lake Tahoe is 41.1 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Lake Tahoe is $82,002. This is 17% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $682,400. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Lake Tahoe is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (61.7% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
35.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Lake Tahoe, 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 South Lake Tahoe, California?
South Lake Tahoe, California has a population of 21,269 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Lake Tahoe, CA?
The median household income in South Lake Tahoe is $82,002, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Lake Tahoe, CA?
The poverty rate in South Lake Tahoe is 9.3%. This means approximately 1,966 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Lake Tahoe, California?
South Lake Tahoe's population is 61.7% White, 0.3% Black, 26.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Lake Tahoe, CA?
The median home value in South Lake Tahoe is $682,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.3x.
How educated is South Lake Tahoe, California?
35.9% of adults (25+) in South Lake Tahoe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.