Willits, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Willits, California had a total population of 4,920, the 664th largest city in California, with a median household income of $63,447, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Willits Quick Facts
How Willits 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 | 4,945 | 4,920 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $55,971 | $63,447 | +13.4% |
| Median home value | $306,800 | $371,100 | +21.0% |
How Willits 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+)
Willits Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Mendocino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukiah | 16,304 | $66,160 | 17.9% | $458,400 |
| Fort Bragg | 7,032 | $56,481 | 18.2% | $535,400 |
| Brooktrails | 4,398 | $116,056 | 5.4% | $371,700 |
| Redwood Valley | 1,898 | $63,563 | 17.3% | $651,200 |
| Covelo | 1,286 | $34,583 | 36.5% | $360,000 |
| Talmage | 1,128 | $44,647 | 23.0% | $437,500 |
| Hopland | 983 | $91,786 | 14.1% | $612,200 |
| Point Arena | 789 | $108,095 | 10.1% | $436,000 |
| Anchor Bay | 771 | $88,194 | 4.2% | $1,605,500 |
| Laytonville | 720 | $37,656 | 18.2% | $378,100 |
Cities Similar to Willits
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfair | 5,044 | $62,191 | $283,300 | 11.7% | 18.9% |
| Jackson | 5,048 | $70,239 | $442,700 | 23.5% | 10.9% |
| Lakeport | 5,113 | $68,518 | $333,800 | 20.6% | 12.9% |
| Myrtletown | 5,322 | $60,457 | $453,400 | 42.2% | 17.2% |
| Wrightwood | 5,067 | $74,332 | $470,700 | 47.4% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Willits is a small community located in California, within Mendocino County. The total population is 4,920. It ranks as the 664th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willits is 42.9 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 14.0% 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 is $63,447. This is 36% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $371,100. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 40.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Willits is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (53.3% vs 33.8%). The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willits, 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 Willits, California?
Willits, California has a population of 4,920 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willits, CA?
The median household income in Willits is $63,447, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Willits, CA?
The poverty rate in Willits is 9.9%. This means approximately 480 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willits, California?
Willits's population is 53.3% White, 0.0% Black, 37.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willits, CA?
The median home value in Willits is $371,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Willits, California?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Willits hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.