Ukiah, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ukiah, California had a total population of 16,304, the 392nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $66,160, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
Ukiah Quick Facts
How Ukiah 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 | 16,419 | 16,304 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $67,122 | $66,160 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $448,100 | $458,400 | +2.3% |
How Ukiah 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+)
Ukiah Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Mendocino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Bragg | 7,032 | $56,481 | 18.2% | $535,400 |
| Willits | 4,920 | $63,447 | 9.9% | $371,100 |
| Brooktrails | 4,398 | $116,056 | 5.4% | $371,700 |
| Redwood Valley | 1,898 | $63,563 | 17.3% | $651,200 |
| Covelo | 1,286 | $34,583 | 36.5% | $360,000 |
| Talmage | 1,128 | $44,647 | 23.0% | $437,500 |
| Hopland | 983 | $91,786 | 14.1% | $612,200 |
| Point Arena | 789 | $108,095 | 10.1% | $436,000 |
| Anchor Bay | 771 | $88,194 | 4.2% | $1,605,500 |
| Laytonville | 720 | $37,656 | 18.2% | $378,100 |
Cities Similar to Ukiah
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Pendleton South | 15,766 | $69,853 | N/A | 26.4% | 6.6% |
| Parkway | 15,397 | $64,375 | $374,700 | 11.1% | 22.5% |
| Kerman | 16,815 | $59,799 | $370,900 | 16.0% | 21.3% |
| McKinleyville | 17,113 | $73,327 | $457,600 | 38.3% | 14.2% |
| Laguna Woods | 17,289 | $59,269 | $394,600 | 50.9% | 14.2% |
Population Overview
Ukiah is a small city located in California, within Mendocino County. The total population is 16,304. It ranks as the 392nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ukiah is 39.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ukiah is $66,160. This is 33% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.6%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $458,400. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ukiah is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (57.6% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ukiah, 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 Ukiah, California?
Ukiah, California has a population of 16,304 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ukiah, CA?
The median household income in Ukiah is $66,160, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ukiah, CA?
The poverty rate in Ukiah is 17.9%. This means approximately 2,826 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ukiah, California?
Ukiah's population is 57.6% White, 1.1% Black, 32.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ukiah, CA?
The median home value in Ukiah is $458,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.9x.
How educated is Ukiah, California?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Ukiah hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.