Walnut Creek city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Walnut Creek city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 69,790. It ranks as the 132nd most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Walnut Creek city is 46.1 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 15.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Walnut Creek city is $135,665. This is 41% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 73% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,031,100. Housing costs are 48% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Walnut Creek city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 16.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (62.2% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (11.8%) is well below the state average of 39.8%.

Education

69.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Walnut Creek city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.2%. Notably, 30.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Walnut Creek city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.