California borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, California borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 5,046, the 271st largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $49,500, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
California borough Quick Facts
How California borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
California borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington city | 13,361 | $52,350 | 16.2% | $121,000 |
| Canonsburg borough | 9,682 | $80,581 | 5.8% | $192,100 |
| Donora borough | 4,536 | $42,851 | 31.2% | $57,700 |
| Charleroi borough | 4,203 | $43,487 | 29.4% | $56,200 |
| Monongahela city | 4,113 | $55,500 | 12.1% | $119,300 |
| Centerville borough (Washington County) | 3,240 | $78,446 | 5.1% | $123,200 |
| Bentleyville borough | 2,343 | $56,179 | 19.7% | $135,900 |
| McDonald borough | 2,277 | $56,369 | 8.9% | $152,400 |
| New Eagle borough | 2,148 | $52,612 | 15.4% | $103,100 |
| East Washington borough | 1,658 | $80,556 | 9.3% | $249,100 |
Cities Similar to California borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandergrift borough | 5,028 | $50,351 | $91,500 | 15.4% | 24.9% |
| Edwardsville borough | 4,917 | $50,046 | $114,200 | 16.3% | 24.0% |
| West Hazleton borough | 5,156 | $46,968 | $108,800 | 17.5% | 24.4% |
| Turtle Creek borough | 5,046 | $44,449 | $85,900 | 11.1% | 23.5% |
| Lewisburg borough | 5,247 | $51,674 | $234,100 | 43.3% | 19.5% |
Population Overview
California borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Washington County. The total population is 5,046. It ranks as the 271st most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in California borough is 21.4 years. This is 48% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in California borough is $49,500. This is 35% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.2%. This is 131% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.3%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $142,600. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, California borough is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in California borough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 8.4%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
29.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for California borough, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of California borough, Pennsylvania?
California borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 5,046 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in California borough, PA?
The median household income in California borough is $49,500, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in California borough, PA?
The poverty rate in California borough is 27.2%. This means approximately 858 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of California borough, Pennsylvania?
California borough's population is 76.7% White, 11.7% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in California borough, PA?
The median home value in California borough is $142,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is California borough, Pennsylvania?
29.6% of adults (25+) in California borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.