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CITY

Big Bear Lake

California · 5,018 residents (2025 est.) · 6.241 sq mi
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The short version

Big Bear Lake has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $76,250. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $576,700. With a median age of 46.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 6.2% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 75%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,041
−7%since 2000
from 5,438 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
808 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 871 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.6
+9%since 2000
from 42.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,018 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K6K1990201020202024Big Bear Lake
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$76,250
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,447 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$52,141
+142%since 2000
from $21,517 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
51.7%
+30.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.2%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.511
−13%since 2010
from 0.589 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services9.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$576,700
+75%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $180,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,454
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $581 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 63.0% in 2000
35.1% rent
Vacancy rate
76.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 74.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.0%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.3%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
7.6
+44%since 2000
from 5.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Big Bear Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.5%(4,433)
Black0.7%(37)
Hispanic / Latino13.7%(745)
Asian0.8%(41)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.6%(1,825)
2024
White, non-Hispanic65%(3,276)
Black1%(52)
Hispanic / Latino26.7%(1,346)
Asian2.6%(132)
Other4.7%(235)
Diversity Score62.9%(3,172)
Diversity Score
63
+88%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.9%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.0%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 85.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.4%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.7 min
+33%since 2000
from 18.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
59.8%
−26.5 ptssince 2009
from 86.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.5%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
20.8%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.6%
+12.4 ptssince 2011
from 50.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.7%
−19.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
47.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
16.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.9%
−38.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2012
from 12.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.0%
−59.1 ptssince 2013
from 68.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.3%
+15.0 ptssince 2017
from 81.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
78.7%
−3.6 ptssince 2016
from 82.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
12.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2016
from 14.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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BIG BEAR LAKE VS
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BIG BEAR LAKE VS
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BIG BEAR LAKE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Bear Lake, California?

Big Bear Lake, California has about 5,041 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Big Bear Lake, California?

The typical household in Big Bear Lake, California earns about $76,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Big Bear Lake, California expensive?

In Big Bear Lake, California, the median home is worth about $576,700, and the typical rent is about $1,454 a month.

How educated are people in Big Bear Lake, California?

About 33.9% of adults age 25 and over in Big Bear Lake, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Big Bear Lake, California?

About 6.2% of people in Big Bear Lake, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Big Bear Lake, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Big Bear Lake, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 310 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →