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CITY · 2020 ACS

Berkeley

California · 124,321 residents · 10.432 sq mi
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The short version

Berkeley is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $91,259. Population has grown 21% since 2000. 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $1,059,500. At a median age of 31.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $1,059,500, the poverty rate sits 39% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 31.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
73% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 88%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
124,321
+21%since 2000
from 102,743 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
11,917 / sq mi
+21%since 2000
from 9,849 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
31.3
−4%since 2000
from 32.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
99K106K113K120K127K1990201020202024Berkeley
2024120K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$91,259
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,485 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$53,181
+74%since 2000
from $30,477 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
56.3%
+15.2 ptssince 2009
from 41.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information6.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food5.3%
US avg: 2%
Retail trade3.8%
US avg: 10%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance1.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,059,500
+88%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $374,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,767
+59%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $740 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
39.9%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 42.7% in 2000
60.1% rent
Afford Score
11.6
+38%since 2000
from 8.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Berkeley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic55.2%(56,691)
Black13.3%(13,707)
Hispanic / Latino9.7%(10,001)
Asian16.3%(16,740)
Other0%
Diversity Score74.9%(76,954)
2020
White, non-Hispanic50.2%(62,450)
Black7.6%(9,495)
Hispanic / Latino13.7%(17,018)
Asian19.9%(24,701)
Other7.1%(8,831)
Diversity Score83.6%(103,951)
Diversity Score
84
+12%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
73.1%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 64.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 92.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
39.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 34.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.3 min
+56%since 2000
from 20.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
30.9%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 7.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2011
from 58.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
67.0%
−13.6 ptssince 2009
from 80.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
51.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
21.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.1%
−88.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Berkeley

Buckeye
Pop 125,445
Riverview
Pop 113,697
Boca Raton
Pop 101,582
Sandy Springs
Pop 105,013
Places similar to Berkeley
Head to head

Compare Berkeley to nearby cities

BERKELEY VS
Emeryville
Income$117,092+28%
Home value$604,800−43%
Population13,251−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BERKELEY VS
Albany
Income$144,107+58%
Home value$1,202,200+13%
Population19,195−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BERKELEY VS
El Cerrito
Income$127,876+40%
Home value$1,124,400+6%
Population26,121−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BERKELEY VS
Piedmont
Income$250,001+174%
Home value$2,000,001+89%
Population10,642−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Berkeley, California?

Berkeley, California has about 124,321 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Berkeley, California?

The typical household in Berkeley, California earns about $91,259 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Berkeley, California expensive?

In Berkeley, California, the median home is worth about $1,059,500, and the typical rent is about $1,767 a month.

How educated are people in Berkeley, California?

About 73.1% of adults age 25 and over in Berkeley, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Berkeley, California?

About 17.8% of people in Berkeley, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Berkeley, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Berkeley, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 21,597 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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

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