South Oroville, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Oroville, California had a total population of 2,846, the 805th largest community in California, with a median household income of $65,409, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
South Oroville Quick Facts
How South Oroville 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 | 2,811 | 2,846 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $64,785 | $65,409 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $248,400 | $261,500 | +5.3% |
How South Oroville 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 Oroville Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Butte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | 102,188 | $66,977 | 22.7% | $468,100 |
| Oroville | 19,752 | $52,270 | 21.4% | $311,600 |
| Oroville East | 7,504 | $94,512 | 8.7% | $405,400 |
| Paradise | 7,392 | $67,687 | 18.2% | $416,000 |
| Magalia | 7,389 | $56,920 | 11.8% | $280,600 |
| Gridley | 7,330 | $57,974 | 17.9% | $312,800 |
| Thermalito | 6,720 | $54,865 | 20.4% | $254,900 |
| Durham | 5,340 | $95,417 | 10.2% | $700,100 |
| Palermo | 5,266 | $50,588 | 20.2% | $283,000 |
| Kelly Ridge | 2,825 | $54,631 | 12.3% | $277,600 |
Cities Similar to South Oroville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Mountain Club | 2,838 | $69,375 | $394,600 | 42.7% | 10.3% |
| Kings Beach | 2,736 | $68,153 | $772,100 | 30.8% | 6.8% |
| North Lakeport | 2,995 | $64,125 | $410,300 | 21.8% | 21.5% |
| Burney | 2,668 | $65,969 | $234,100 | 11.9% | 19.0% |
| East Quincy | 2,723 | $70,213 | $322,600 | 20.4% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
South Oroville is a small community located in California, within Butte County. The total population is 2,846. It ranks as the 805th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Oroville is 33.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 34.2% of the population under 18, South Oroville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Oroville is $65,409. This is 34% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.7%. This is 181% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $261,500. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Oroville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.6%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Oroville, 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 Oroville, California?
South Oroville, California has a population of 2,846 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Oroville, CA?
The median household income in South Oroville is $65,409, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Oroville, CA?
The poverty rate in South Oroville is 33.7%. This means approximately 959 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Oroville, California?
South Oroville's population is 45.4% White, 0.6% Black, 33.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Oroville, CA?
The median home value in South Oroville is $261,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is South Oroville, California?
14.2% of adults (25+) in South Oroville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.