California, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, California, Maryland had a total population of 13,136, the 113th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $119,855, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
California Quick Facts
How California 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 | 13,223 | 13,136 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $112,717 | $119,855 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $337,900 | $346,800 | +2.6% |
How California 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: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
California Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in St. Mary's County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | 13,252 | $94,799 | 13.8% | $309,700 |
| Wildewood | 7,552 | $126,890 | 4.7% | $383,400 |
| Leonardtown | 4,808 | $153,819 | 1.6% | $575,300 |
| Golden Beach | 3,830 | $133,194 | 2.7% | $382,700 |
| Mechanicsville | 1,395 | $120,966 | 2.9% | $416,100 |
| Piney Point | 1,274 | $129,018 | 7.3% | $336,600 |
| Charlotte Hall | 1,172 | $84,271 | 20.3% | $367,800 |
| Callaway | 930 | $160,341 | 5.8% | $364,700 |
| Tall Timbers | 391 | $195,982 | 4.6% | $732,600 |
| St. George Island | 277 | $250,000+ | 0.0% | $788,000 |
Cities Similar to California
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flower Hill | 13,794 | $112,975 | $463,500 | 42.5% | 9.3% |
| Joppatowne | 14,237 | $117,881 | $342,300 | 32.0% | 6.5% |
| Lake Arbor | 14,335 | $121,211 | $460,600 | 55.9% | 4.5% |
| Kettering | 14,014 | $126,938 | $418,500 | 41.6% | 8.7% |
| Glenn Dale | 13,772 | $134,333 | $542,000 | 51.2% | 2.0% |
Population Overview
California is a small city located in Maryland, within St. Mary's County. The total population is 13,136. It ranks as the 113th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in California is 35.0 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in California is $119,855. This is 16% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 48% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $346,800. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $419,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, California is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in California is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.2%.
Education
43.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.1%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for California, Maryland 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 Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Maryland city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of California, Maryland?
California, Maryland has a population of 13,136 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in California, MD?
The median household income in California is $119,855, which is 48% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in California, MD?
The poverty rate in California is 6.9%. This means approximately 900 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of California, Maryland?
California's population is 57.4% White, 22.2% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in California, MD?
The median home value in California is $346,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is California, Maryland?
43.8% of adults (25+) in California hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.