Susanville, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Susanville, California had a total population of 14,177, the 413th largest city in California, with a median household income of $61,641, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Susanville Quick Facts
How Susanville 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 | 14,992 | 14,177 | -5.4% |
| Median household income | $57,607 | $61,641 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $234,000 | $235,500 | +0.6% |
How Susanville 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+)
Susanville Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Lassen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville | 2,399 | $78,466 | 7.5% | $326,900 |
| Westwood | 1,063 | $59,375 | 21.7% | $147,000 |
| Johnstonville | 1,039 | $100,132 | 15.9% | $329,300 |
| Doyle | 779 | $44,881 | 25.3% | $232,400 |
| Patton Village | 473 | $100,972 | 23.3% | $73,900 |
| Spaulding | 369 | $24,620 | 40.1% | N/A |
| Bieber | 266 | N/A | 7.1% | $142,600 |
| Herlong | 211 | $56,875 | 19.9% | N/A |
| Clear Creek | 172 | $51,278 | 2.3% | $230,800 |
| Stones Landing | 85 | N/A | 0.0% | $205,000 |
Cities Similar to Susanville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California City | 14,414 | $60,113 | $278,000 | 12.5% | 22.8% |
| McFarland | 14,222 | $54,608 | $272,700 | 6.0% | 24.1% |
| King City | 13,604 | $66,761 | $449,900 | 11.4% | 22.9% |
| Lake Los Angeles | 13,051 | $61,467 | $322,300 | 13.9% | 18.9% |
| Grass Valley | 14,113 | $51,764 | $482,200 | 32.8% | 22.1% |
Population Overview
Susanville is a small city located in California, within Lassen County. The total population is 14,177. It ranks as the 413th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Susanville is 36.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Susanville is $61,641. This is 38% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $235,500. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 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 Susanville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (52.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.1% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 71.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Susanville, 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 Susanville, California?
Susanville, California has a population of 14,177 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Susanville, CA?
The median household income in Susanville is $61,641, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Susanville, CA?
The poverty rate in Susanville is 17.6%. This means approximately 1,623 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Susanville, California?
Susanville's population is 52.3% White, 10.1% Black, 27.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Susanville, CA?
The median home value in Susanville is $235,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Susanville, California?
11.4% of adults (25+) in Susanville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.