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CITY · 2020 ACS

Blue Lake

California · 1,208 residents · 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 $49,479. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $328,000. The poverty rate of 24.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 37% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
43% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 95%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,208
+6%since 2000
from 1,135 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,955 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 1,837 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.6
+12%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7819621K1K2K1990201020202024Blue Lake
2024982
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,479
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,500 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,465
+84%since 2000
from $17,603 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
24.2%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade8.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 2%
Information2.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$328,000
+95%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $111,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,294
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $583 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 61.5% in 2000
42.0% rent
Afford Score
6.6
+93%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic78.2%(945)
Black0.4%(5)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(96)
Asian0.8%(10)
Other12.1%(146)
Diversity Score45.1%(545)
Diversity Score
45
+318%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
42.7%
+14.5 ptssince 2000
from 28.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.3%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.1 min
+32%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
56.4%
−24.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.9%
−13.1 ptssince 2011
from 72.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.7%
−28.7 ptssince 2009
from 67.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.2%
−67.2 ptssince 2013
from 79.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Blue Lake to nearby cities

BLUE LAKE VS
Arcata
Income$46,713−6%
Home value$484,600+48%
Population19,047+1565%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE LAKE VS
McKinleyville
Income$73,327+48%
Home value$457,600+40%
Population17,113+1396%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE LAKE VS
Eureka
Income$57,662+17%
Home value$404,500+23%
Population25,304+2112%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE LAKE VS
Fortuna
Income$62,289+26%
Home value$379,700+16%
Population12,003+949%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Blue Lake, California?

Blue Lake, California has about 1,208 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Blue Lake, California earns about $49,479 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 $328,000, and the typical rent is about $1,294 a month.

How educated are people in Blue Lake, California?

About 42.7% 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 24.2% 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 27 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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

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