Volta, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Volta, California had a total population of 268, the 1331st largest community in California. The poverty rate is 41.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (41.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 37.0% is notably above the national average.
Volta Quick Facts
How Volta 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 | 188 | 268 | +42.6% |
How Volta 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+)
Volta Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | 23.9% | $372,600 |
| Los Banos | 47,593 | $68,171 | 17.3% | $440,900 |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | 20.9% | $363,400 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | 17.1% | $372,700 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | 14.0% | $339,400 |
| Delhi | 11,009 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $349,700 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | 22.9% | $308,200 |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | 4.0% | $441,700 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 6,132 | $79,948 | 12.8% | $449,600 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | 17.1% | $690,100 |
Cities Similar to Volta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avery | 268 | $47,056 | $458,100 | 21.4% | 19.8% |
| Hornbrook | 268 | $32,222 | N/A | 10.0% | 32.5% |
| Bieber | 266 | N/A | $142,600 | 31.4% | 7.1% |
| Honcut | 271 | $187,742 | $275,000 | 0.0% | 53.5% |
| Mad River | 272 | N/A | $253,700 | 10.1% | 8.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 268, Volta's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Volta is a small community located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 268. It ranks as the 1331st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Volta is 61.5 years. This is 62% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 41.0%. This is 242% 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 37.0%. This is 460% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. 55.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Volta is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.4%.
Education
10.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 77.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Volta, 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 Volta, California?
Volta, California has a population of 268 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Volta, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Volta — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Volta, CA?
The poverty rate in Volta is 41.0%. This means approximately 110 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Volta, California?
Volta's population is 32.5% White, 0.0% Black, 22.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Volta, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Volta — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Volta, California?
10.2% of adults (25+) in Volta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.