Willits city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Willits city, California has a total population of 4,945, the 666th largest city in California, with a median household income of $55,971, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Willits city Quick Facts
How Willits city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Willits city Rankings in California
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Cities Similar to Willits city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtletown CDP | 5,028 | $55,543 | $437,600 | 40.0% | 20.3% |
| Lakeport city | 5,085 | $59,294 | $327,600 | 25.8% | 15.7% |
| Sonora city | 4,965 | $62,621 | $379,300 | 30.2% | 20.0% |
| Mayfair CDP | 5,173 | $59,638 | $244,200 | 11.4% | 22.2% |
| Keyes CDP | 5,330 | $59,338 | $335,500 | 5.3% | 27.5% |
Population Overview
Willits city is a small community located in California. The total population is 4,945. It ranks as the 666th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willits city is 41.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 12.0% 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 Willits city is $55,971. This is 42% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 11.8%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $306,800. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 39.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Willits city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (63.3% vs 34.6%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willits 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Willits city, California?
Willits city, California has a population of 4,945 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willits city, CA?
The median household income in Willits city is $55,971, which is 29% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Willits city, CA?
The poverty rate in Willits city is 13.7%. This means approximately 667 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willits city, California?
Willits city's population is 63.3% White, 0.0% Black, 31.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willits city, CA?
The median home value in Willits city is $306,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Willits city, California?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Willits city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.