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CITY · 2010 ACS

Arcata

California · 17,231 residents · 9.416 sq mi
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Part of the Eureka micropolitan area
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The short version

Arcata has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $32,017. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $349,800. At a median age of 26.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 47% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 26.1
US median: 37.2
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 107%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,231
+3%since 2000
from 16,651 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,830 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 1,768 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
26.1
+1%since 2000
from 25.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K17K18K19K1990201020202024Arcata
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,017
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,315 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,938
+35%since 2000
from $15,531 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
18.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
28.5%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 32.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.486
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade7.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$349,800
+107%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $133,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$797
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $546 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
19.6%
−18.0 ptssince 2000
from 37.5% in 2000
65.9% rent
Vacancy rate
8.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
27.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 26.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
67.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
10.9
+83%since 2000
from 6.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Arcata on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.3%(13,538)
Black1.5%(247)
Hispanic / Latino7.2%(1,202)
Asian2.2%(371)
Other0%
Diversity Score27%(4,496)
2010
White, non-Hispanic76.3%(13,153)
Black1.9%(323)
Hispanic / Latino11.6%(2,000)
Asian2.5%(434)
Other7%(1,203)
Diversity Score48.7%(8,393)
Diversity Score
49
+80%since 2000
from 27 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 41.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
14.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.2 min
+61%since 2000
from 10.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
58.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
13.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
10.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
11.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
18.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
34.1%
−34.1 ptssince 2009
from 68.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
50.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
6.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.7%
−41.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Arcata

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Pop 18,299
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Pop 17,496
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Pop 18,131
Lealman
Pop 20,567
Places similar to Arcata
Head to head

Compare Arcata to nearby cities

ARCATA VS
Eureka
Income$57,662+80%
Home value$404,500+16%
Population25,304+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ARCATA VS
McKinleyville
Income$73,327+129%
Home value$457,600+31%
Population17,113−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ARCATA VS
Fortuna
Income$62,289+95%
Home value$379,700+9%
Population12,003−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ARCATA VS
Shasta Lake
Income$67,401+111%
Home value$294,400−16%
Population10,208−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Arcata, California?

Arcata, California has about 17,231 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Arcata, California?

The typical household in Arcata, California earns about $32,017 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Arcata, California expensive?

In Arcata, California, the median home is worth about $349,800, and the typical rent is about $797 a month.

How educated are people in Arcata, California?

About 41.7% of adults age 25 and over in Arcata, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Arcata, California?

About 28.5% of people in Arcata, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Arcata, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Arcata, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,034 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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