Washington, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Washington, California had a total population of 129, the 1433rd largest community in California. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.0% is notably above the national average.
Washington Quick Facts
How Washington 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 | 124 | 129 | +4.0% |
How Washington 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Washington Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Nevada County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truckee | 17,066 | $130,462 | 8.9% | $947,900 |
| Grass Valley | 14,113 | $51,764 | 22.1% | $482,200 |
| Alta Sierra (Nevada County) | 7,361 | $105,603 | 6.3% | $563,700 |
| Lake of the Pines | 5,461 | $121,682 | 8.5% | $664,300 |
| Lake Wildwood | 4,792 | $85,771 | 8.2% | $551,800 |
| Nevada City | 3,172 | $75,792 | 8.9% | $677,400 |
| Penn Valley | 1,678 | $64,737 | 9.3% | $500,700 |
| Rough and Ready | 736 | $102,725 | 1.2% | $691,500 |
| North San Juan | 179 | N/A | 50.8% | $549,600 |
| Soda Springs | 150 | N/A | 15.3% | $840,000 |
Cities Similar to Washington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Rancho | 128 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 40.6% |
| Oak Shores | 128 | $66,750 | $525,000 | 14.8% | 33.6% |
| Campo Seco | 132 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Downieville | 126 | N/A | N/A | 16.1% | 0.0% |
| Mineral | 133 | N/A | N/A | 35.7% | 60.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 129, Washington'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
Washington is a small community located in California, within Nevada County. The total population is 129. It ranks as the 1433rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Washington is 61.4 years. This is 62% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 13.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 94% 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 10.0%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $323,900. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $734,700. 62.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Washington was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Washington, 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 Washington, California?
Washington, California has a population of 129 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Washington, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Washington — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Washington, CA?
The poverty rate in Washington is 23.3%. This means approximately 30 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Washington, California?
Washington's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Washington, CA?
The median home value in Washington is $323,900.
How educated is Washington, California?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.