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CITY

Blue Lake

California · 1,144 residents (2025 est.) · 0.618 sq mi
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The short version

Blue Lake has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,594. Population has declined 13% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $445,200. With a median age of 61.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 46% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 61.0
US median: 38.9
Average education
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 119%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
982
−13%since 2000
from 1,135 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,589 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,837 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
61.0
+57%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,144 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7819621K1K2K1990201020202024Blue Lake
2024982
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,594
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,124
+134%since 2000
from $17,603 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.9%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.484
+19%since 2010
from 0.407 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services8.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction7.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Information2.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$445,200
+119%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $111,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,284
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $583 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.3%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 61.5% in 2000
45.7% rent
Vacancy rate
11.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.2%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.8%
+21.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.3
+141%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
29
RELATED:See current rent listings in Blue Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.8%(985)
Black0.3%(3)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(28)
Asian1.3%(15)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.8%(122)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(877)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(26)
Asian0%(0)
Other8%(79)
Diversity Score24.4%(240)
Diversity Score
24
+126%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.7%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 28.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.1%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.7%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
+15%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
61.6%
−19.3 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
23.9%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.6%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.6%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.6%
−19.4 ptssince 2011
from 72.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.6%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.9%
−28.6 ptssince 2009
from 67.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
38.2%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
61.8%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.7%
−40.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
26.5%
+9.6 ptssince 2012
from 16.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.9%
−77.5 ptssince 2013
from 79.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.6%
+15.9 ptssince 2017
from 77.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2016
from 96.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 3.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Blue Lake to nearby cities

BLUE LAKE VS
Arcata
Income$46,713−13%
Home value$484,600+9%
Population19,047+1565%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE LAKE VS
McKinleyville
Income$73,327+37%
Home value$457,600+3%
Population17,113+1396%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE LAKE VS
Eureka
Income$57,662+8%
Home value$404,500−9%
Population25,304+2112%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE LAKE VS
Fortuna
Income$62,289+16%
Home value$379,700−15%
Population12,003+949%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Blue Lake, California?

Blue Lake, California has about 982 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Blue Lake, California?

The typical household in Blue Lake, California earns about $53,594 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Blue Lake, California expensive?

In Blue Lake, California, the median home is worth about $445,200, and the typical rent is about $1,284 a month.

How educated are people in Blue Lake, California?

About 38.7% of adults age 25 and over in Blue Lake, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Blue Lake, California?

About 16.1% of people in Blue Lake, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Blue Lake, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Blue Lake, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 253 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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

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