Stockton, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stockton, California had a total population of 322,326, the 11th largest city in California, with a median household income of $79,907, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 71/100).
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Stockton Quick Facts
How Stockton 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 | 320,470 | 322,326 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $79,907 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $412,900 | $440,900 | +6.8% |
How Stockton 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+)
Stockton Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Joaquin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy | 96,966 | $121,119 | 7.8% | $699,000 |
| Manteca | 89,043 | $97,055 | 9.5% | $589,900 |
| Lodi | 67,607 | $88,530 | 12.4% | $492,500 |
| Lathrop | 35,052 | $126,421 | 7.1% | $643,600 |
| Mountain House | 25,513 | $177,163 | 5.1% | $946,900 |
| Ripon | 16,201 | $133,380 | 5.4% | $704,800 |
| Garden Acres | 10,667 | $66,474 | 18.9% | $336,000 |
| Country Club | 10,161 | $81,464 | 15.4% | $382,500 |
| August | 8,825 | $53,173 | 26.9% | $296,100 |
| Escalon | 7,451 | $81,467 | 8.8% | $471,200 |
Cities Similar to Stockton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | $584,800 | 25.7% | 12.2% |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | $713,000 | 18.3% | 10.8% |
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | $831,200 | 29.7% | 12.4% |
| Bakersfield | 411,986 | $80,540 | $371,700 | 23.6% | 16.3% |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | $1,191,500 | 70.6% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Stockton is a major urban center located in California, within San Joaquin County. The total population is 322,326. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stockton is 33.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stockton is $79,907. This is 19% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.6%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $440,900. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 53.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Stockton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.8%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.8% vs 5.2%).
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 77.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stockton, 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 Stockton, California?
Stockton, California has a population of 322,326 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stockton, CA?
The median household income in Stockton is $79,907, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stockton, CA?
The poverty rate in Stockton is 15.5%. This means approximately 49,175 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stockton, California?
Stockton's population is 16.8% White, 10.8% Black, 45.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stockton, CA?
The median home value in Stockton is $440,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Stockton, California?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Stockton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.