Whittier, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whittier, California had a total population of 86,165, the 98th largest city in California, with a median household income of $97,201, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.5x the median household income.
Whittier Quick Facts
How Whittier 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 | 85,925 | 86,165 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $92,374 | $97,201 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $751,700 | $822,600 | +9.4% |
How Whittier 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Whittier Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
Cities Similar to Whittier
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manteca | 89,043 | $97,055 | $589,900 | 21.7% | 9.5% |
| San Leandro | 87,826 | $101,420 | $844,200 | 33.3% | 8.3% |
| Santa Barbara | 87,779 | $106,182 | $1,570,800 | 51.9% | 14.0% |
| Rancho Cordova | 81,849 | $89,585 | $477,600 | 32.1% | 12.2% |
| Citrus Heights | 86,995 | $82,314 | $454,600 | 23.9% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Whittier is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 86,165. It ranks as the 98th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whittier is 38.4 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whittier is $97,201. This is 2% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 20% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $822,600. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 57.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Whittier is Hispanic or Latino, making up 67.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.2%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (67.1% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whittier, 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 Whittier, California?
Whittier, California has a population of 86,165 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whittier, CA?
The median household income in Whittier is $97,201, which is 20% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whittier, CA?
The poverty rate in Whittier is 9.1%. This means approximately 7,683 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whittier, California?
Whittier's population is 22.2% White, 1.2% Black, 67.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whittier, CA?
The median home value in Whittier is $822,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.5x.
How educated is Whittier, California?
29.5% of adults (25+) in Whittier hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.