South Pasadena, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Pasadena, California had a total population of 26,068, the 292nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $127,175, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in California.
- 73.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 12.9x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 71/100).
South Pasadena Quick Facts
How South Pasadena 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 | 26,297 | 26,068 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $128,105 | $127,175 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $1,545,100 | $1,640,000 | +6.1% |
How South Pasadena 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Pasadena Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
Cities Similar to South Pasadena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Cerrito | 25,994 | $127,876 | $1,124,400 | 67.6% | 6.9% |
| Hercules | 26,302 | $129,397 | $769,400 | 46.1% | 5.6% |
| Windsor | 26,081 | $133,979 | $801,100 | 36.3% | 5.9% |
| Norco | 25,054 | $127,566 | $782,400 | 22.1% | 5.6% |
| Benicia | 26,749 | $121,204 | $810,000 | 47.6% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
South Pasadena is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 26,068. It ranks as the 292nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Pasadena is 40.5 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Pasadena is $127,175. This is 28% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 58% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,640,000. Housing costs are 123% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 12.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Pasadena is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 35.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (19.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (35.0% vs 15.3%).
Education
73.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places South Pasadena in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 98% higher 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 97.2%. Notably, 34.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, California?
South Pasadena, California has a population of 26,068 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Pasadena, CA?
The median household income in South Pasadena is $127,175, which is 58% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Pasadena, CA?
The poverty rate in South Pasadena is 4.9%. This means approximately 1,272 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Pasadena, California?
South Pasadena's population is 35.2% White, 2.8% Black, 19.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 35.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Pasadena, CA?
The median home value in South Pasadena is $1,640,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 12.9x.
How educated is South Pasadena, California?
73.5% of adults (25+) in South Pasadena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 34.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.