Willows, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Willows, California had a total population of 6,190, the 607th largest city in California, with a median household income of $64,068, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Willows Quick Facts
How Willows 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 | 6,239 | 6,190 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $78,179 | $64,068 | -18.0% |
| Median home value | $286,200 | $281,700 | -1.6% |
How Willows 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+)
Willows Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Glenn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orland | 8,357 | $64,945 | 16.9% | $342,200 |
| Hamilton City | 2,267 | $65,833 | 7.6% | $302,800 |
| Artois | 336 | $152,719 | 0.0% | $196,500 |
| Elk Creek | 36 | $85,313 | 0.0% | $184,400 |
Cities Similar to Willows
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree | 6,234 | $66,291 | $334,200 | 27.0% | 22.6% |
| Fruitridge Pocket | 6,095 | $62,528 | $362,200 | 21.9% | 30.7% |
| Lemoore Station | 6,175 | $69,243 | N/A | 23.2% | 9.4% |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | $441,700 | 7.9% | 4.0% |
| West Modesto | 5,978 | $61,440 | $304,700 | 9.7% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Willows is a small city located in California, within Glenn County. The total population is 6,190. It ranks as the 607th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willows is 38.6 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Willows is $64,068. This is 35% 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 19.3%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $281,700. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 59.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Willows is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (57.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 76.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willows, 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 Willows, California?
Willows, California has a population of 6,190 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willows, CA?
The median household income in Willows is $64,068, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Willows, CA?
The poverty rate in Willows is 19.3%. This means approximately 1,172 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willows, California?
Willows's population is 57.2% White, 0.3% Black, 36.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willows, CA?
The median home value in Willows is $281,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Willows, California?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Willows hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.