Thermal, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thermal, California had a total population of 1,800, the 921st largest community in California. The poverty rate is 19.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Thermal Quick Facts
How Thermal Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,333 | 1,800 | No clear change (+35.0%) |
| Median gross rent | $614 | $986 | +60.6% |
How Thermal Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 1.2%
- Black: 1.8%
- Hispanic: 96.4%
- Asian: 0.3%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 61.8%
- HS Diploma: 22.5%
- Some College: 5.7%
- Associate's: 1.3%
- Bachelor's: 5.7%
- Graduate+: 3.0%
Thermal Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Riverside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | 12.2% | $584,800 |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | 11.7% | $503,700 |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | 8.7% | $700,700 |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | 5.4% | $639,800 |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | 7.3% | $679,700 |
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | 9.5% | $537,300 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | 11.0% | $574,600 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | 11.5% | $458,400 |
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | 14.9% | $352,200 |
| Perris | 80,511 | $88,911 | 10.7% | $474,700 |
Cities Similar to Thermal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 1,800 | $48,750 | $215,300 | 6.6% | 44.4% |
| Graton | 1,806 | $91,429 | $878,100 | 53.5% | 24.3% |
| Home Garden | 1,806 | $56,384 | $164,500 | 2.7% | 15.0% |
| Pine Valley | 1,786 | $132,772 | $627,800 | 27.4% | 2.9% |
| Byron | 1,837 | $76,424 | $750,000 | 15.7% | 15.4% |
Population Overview
Thermal is a small community located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 1,800. It ranks as the 921st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thermal is 34.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. 14.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 19.3%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $187,000. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $734,700. 56.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thermal has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (96.4% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
8.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 38.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thermal, 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 Thermal, California?
Thermal, California has a population of 1,800 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thermal, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Thermal — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thermal, CA?
The poverty rate in Thermal is 19.3%. This means approximately 347 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thermal, California?
Thermal's population is 1.2% White, 1.8% Black, 96.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thermal, CA?
The median home value in Thermal is $187,000.
How educated is Thermal, California?
8.7% of adults (25+) in Thermal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.