South Whittier, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Whittier, California had a total population of 55,650, the 167th largest community in California, with a median household income of $100,800, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.6%.
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 7.0x the median household income.
South Whittier Quick Facts
How South Whittier 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 | 55,201 | 55,650 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $98,974 | $100,800 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $641,700 | $708,300 | +10.4% |
How South Whittier 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Whittier 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 Whittier
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont | 56,266 | $107,118 | $503,500 | 27.4% | 10.0% |
| West Sacramento | 54,927 | $93,188 | $525,800 | 34.5% | 12.8% |
| Hacienda Heights | 54,291 | $109,193 | $820,800 | 35.1% | 11.3% |
| Arcadia | 55,170 | $113,516 | $1,441,800 | 57.4% | 8.6% |
| Yucaipa | 54,421 | $90,794 | $502,100 | 26.9% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
South Whittier is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 55,650. It ranks as the 167th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Whittier is 36.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Whittier is $100,800. This is 2% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.6%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $708,300. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Whittier is Hispanic or Latino, making up 78.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.9%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (78.6% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 80.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Whittier, 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 Whittier, California?
South Whittier, California has a population of 55,650 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Whittier, CA?
The median household income in South Whittier is $100,800, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Whittier, CA?
The poverty rate in South Whittier is 10.6%. This means approximately 5,866 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Whittier, California?
South Whittier's population is 11.9% White, 1.0% Black, 78.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Whittier, CA?
The median home value in South Whittier is $708,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.0x.
How educated is South Whittier, California?
17.8% of adults (25+) in South Whittier hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.