University of California-Davis, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, University of California-Davis, California had a total population of 8,696, the 527th largest community in California, with a median household income of $18,631, which is 81% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 66.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 81% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (66.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 70.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 18.2% is notably above the national average.
University of California-Davis Quick Facts
How University of California-Davis 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 | 7,311 | 8,696 | +18.9% |
| Median household income | $25,666 | $18,631 | No clear change (-27.4%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,666 | $1,678 | No clear change (+0.7%) |
How University of California-Davis 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: 33.8%
- Black: 1.4%
- Hispanic: 17.9%
- Asian: 39.1%
- Other: 0.2%
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+)
- < High School: 4.9%
- HS Diploma: 1.3%
- Some College: 18.6%
- Associate's: 4.3%
- Bachelor's: 31.4%
- Graduate+: 39.4%
University of California-Davis Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Yolo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davis | 66,978 | $90,045 | 26.5% | $866,100 |
| Woodland | 61,854 | $90,180 | 8.2% | $548,200 |
| West Sacramento | 54,927 | $93,188 | 12.8% | $525,800 |
| Winters | 7,583 | $122,951 | 8.8% | $633,900 |
| Esparto | 3,713 | $102,986 | 20.2% | $435,900 |
| Monument Hills | 1,551 | $218,333 | 3.6% | $844,600 |
| Knights Landing | 1,099 | $49,458 | 12.8% | $431,100 |
| Madison | 805 | N/A | 37.8% | $344,400 |
| Yolo | 800 | N/A | 51.5% | N/A |
| El Macero | 796 | $227,500 | 0.9% | $1,296,900 |
Cities Similar to University of California-Davis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| Firebaugh | 8,392 | $47,734 | $242,400 | 4.8% | 36.6% |
| La Cresta | 8,389 | $49,605 | $262,000 | 16.3% | 20.3% |
| Yreka | 7,820 | $43,982 | $263,200 | 19.0% | 17.0% |
| August | 8,825 | $53,173 | $296,100 | 3.9% | 26.9% |
Population Overview
University of California-Davis is a small city located in California, within Yolo County. The total population is 8,696. It ranks as the 527th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in University of California-Davis is 19.3 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 2.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in University of California-Davis is $18,631. This is 81% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 77% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 66.4%. This is 453% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 18.2%. This is 176% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. 1.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 97% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
University of California-Davis is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (17.9%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (39.1% vs 15.3%).
Education
70.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places University of California-Davis in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 91% higher 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 95.1%. Notably, 39.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for University of California-Davis, 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 University of California-Davis, California?
University of California-Davis, California has a population of 8,696 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in University of California-Davis, CA?
The median household income in University of California-Davis is $18,631, which is 77% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in University of California-Davis, CA?
The poverty rate in University of California-Davis is 66.4%. This means approximately 2,243 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of University of California-Davis, California?
University of California-Davis's population is 33.8% White, 1.4% Black, 17.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 39.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in University of California-Davis, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for University of California-Davis — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is University of California-Davis, California?
70.8% of adults (25+) in University of California-Davis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 39.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.