California, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, California, Pennsylvania had a total population of 4,864, the 282nd largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $48,606, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
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 | 5,046 | 4,864 | -3.6% |
| Median household income | $49,500 | $48,606 | -1.8% |
| Median home value | $142,600 | $152,200 | +6.7% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
California Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 13,368 | $52,975 | 16.8% | $128,200 |
| Canonsburg | 9,675 | $79,227 | 6.3% | $213,200 |
| Donora | 4,527 | $39,544 | 29.6% | $62,300 |
| McGovern | 4,393 | $107,395 | 0.5% | $320,300 |
| McMurray | 4,286 | $155,077 | 2.6% | $391,700 |
| Charleroi | 4,202 | $43,265 | 30.8% | $52,800 |
| Monongahela | 4,109 | $59,861 | 12.3% | $114,300 |
| Thompsonville | 3,646 | $128,422 | 1.6% | $436,900 |
| Centerville (Washington County) | 3,235 | $71,250 | 4.5% | $120,600 |
| Gastonville | 2,995 | $68,487 | 2.7% | $173,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandergrift | 5,011 | $50,901 | $93,900 | 14.0% | 21.5% |
| Edwardsville | 4,932 | $44,866 | $123,200 | 10.9% | 26.1% |
| Turtle Creek | 5,007 | $45,997 | $84,900 | 10.9% | 17.6% |
| Avalon | 4,674 | $51,250 | $170,500 | 35.4% | 14.6% |
| Arnold | 4,704 | $45,417 | $86,400 | 17.8% | 25.5% |
Population Overview
California is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Washington County. The total population is 4,864. It ranks as the 282nd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in California is 21.7 years. This is 47% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in California is $48,606. This is 38% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 147% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 10.8%. This is 106% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $152,200. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 49.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in California is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for California, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of California, Pennsylvania?
California, Pennsylvania has a population of 4,864 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in California, PA?
The median household income in California is $48,606, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in California, PA?
The poverty rate in California is 28.9%. This means approximately 869 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of California, Pennsylvania?
California's population is 79.3% White, 10.6% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in California, PA?
The median home value in California is $152,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is California, Pennsylvania?
29.3% of adults (25+) in California hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.