California, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, California, Missouri had a total population of 4,509, the 164th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $63,864, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
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 | 4,523 | 4,509 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $60,506 | $63,864 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $123,700 | $152,700 | +23.4% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
California Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Moniteau County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott City | 4,371 | $62,599 | $147,500 | 15.2% | 11.2% |
| Centralia | 4,690 | $66,438 | $174,300 | 33.5% | 11.9% |
| Lexington | 4,606 | $56,905 | $161,300 | 19.1% | 17.0% |
| Desloge | 4,863 | $60,820 | $127,500 | 13.5% | 15.8% |
| Mount Vernon | 4,563 | $53,255 | $186,800 | 19.7% | 13.8% |
Population Overview
California is a small community located in Missouri, within Moniteau County. The total population is 4,509. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in California is 38.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in California is $63,864. This is 10% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $152,700. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, California is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in California is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.5%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.5% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for California, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of California, Missouri?
California, Missouri has a population of 4,509 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in California, MO?
The median household income in California is $63,864, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in California, MO?
The poverty rate in California is 11.6%. This means approximately 508 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of California, Missouri?
California's population is 81.5% White, 0.6% Black, 13.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in California, MO?
The median home value in California is $152,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is California, Missouri?
15.2% of adults (25+) in California hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.