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CITY · 2020 ACS

Big Bear Lake

California · 5,046 residents · 6.241 sq mi
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The short version

Big Bear Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $54,896. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $394,800. With a median age of 51.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 30% less than the California median. Despite a median home value of $394,800, the poverty rate sits 23% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 51.5
US median: 38.8
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,046
−7%since 2000
from 5,438 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
809 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 871 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
51.5
+20%since 2000
from 42.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K6K1990201020202024Big Bear Lake
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,896
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,447 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,839
+57%since 2000
from $21,517 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
40.6%
+19.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade4.5%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$394,800
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $180,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,039
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $581 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 63.0% in 2000
42.0% rent
Afford Score
7.2
+37%since 2000
from 5.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.4%(3,401)
Black0.9%(46)
Hispanic / Latino23.9%(1,205)
Asian2.1%(105)
Other2%(100)
Diversity Score55.9%(2,820)
Diversity Score
56
+67%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.5%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.0%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 85.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.6%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
+21%since 2000
from 18.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
69.0%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 86.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2011
from 50.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.0%
−24.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
13.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.4%
−57.7 ptssince 2013
from 68.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Bear Lake, California?

Big Bear Lake, California has about 5,046 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Big Bear Lake, California earns about $54,896 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 $394,800, and the typical rent is about $1,039 a month.

How educated are people in Big Bear Lake, California?

About 31.5% 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 15.7% 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 305 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

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