Walnut Creek, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Walnut Creek, California had a total population of 70,088, the 131st largest city in California, with a median household income of $130,432, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 70.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.1x the median household income.
Walnut Creek Quick Facts
How Walnut Creek 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 | 69,790 | 70,088 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $135,665 | $130,432 | -3.9% |
| Median home value | $1,031,100 | $1,057,300 | +2.5% |
How Walnut Creek 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+)
Walnut Creek Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Contra Costa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | 8.2% | $797,600 |
| Antioch | 116,477 | $97,465 | 11.4% | $629,700 |
| Richmond | 115,505 | $95,391 | 13.6% | $668,200 |
| San Ramon | 85,993 | $196,161 | 4.4% | $1,509,500 |
| Pittsburg | 76,257 | $99,861 | 11.2% | $597,900 |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | 8.3% | $836,600 |
| Oakley | 45,183 | $137,677 | 6.1% | $660,200 |
| Danville | 43,401 | $232,216 | 3.8% | $1,681,700 |
| Martinez | 36,903 | $127,355 | 6.3% | $859,800 |
| Pleasant Hill | 34,235 | $145,029 | 7.3% | $1,077,100 |
Cities Similar to Walnut Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union City | 67,464 | $133,715 | $1,104,900 | 45.1% | 7.2% |
| Rocklin | 73,327 | $124,168 | $703,400 | 48.0% | 5.6% |
| Camarillo | 70,186 | $113,428 | $827,300 | 43.5% | 8.5% |
| Redondo Beach | 69,291 | $150,245 | $1,279,200 | 67.0% | 5.4% |
| South San Francisco | 64,305 | $136,578 | $1,188,800 | 40.8% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Walnut Creek is a mid-sized community located in California, within Contra Costa County. The total population is 70,088. It ranks as the 131st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Walnut Creek is 46.8 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 15.6% 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 is $130,432. This is 32% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 62% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,057,300. Housing costs are 44% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Walnut Creek is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 17.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (61.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.4%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
70.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Walnut Creek in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 90% 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 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, 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 Walnut Creek, California?
Walnut Creek, California has a population of 70,088 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Walnut Creek, CA?
The median household income in Walnut Creek is $130,432, which is 62% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Walnut Creek, CA?
The poverty rate in Walnut Creek is 6.4%. This means approximately 4,421 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Walnut Creek, California?
Walnut Creek's population is 61.3% White, 1.8% Black, 12.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 17.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Walnut Creek, CA?
The median home value in Walnut Creek is $1,057,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.1x.
How educated is Walnut Creek, California?
70.4% of adults (25+) in Walnut Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.