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CITY

Brea

California · 47,260 residents (2025 est.) · 12.647 sq mi
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The short version

Brea is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $131,129. Population has grown 34% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $922,300. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 32% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 104%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,469
+34%since 2000
from 35,410 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,753 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 2,800 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.7
+9%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:47,260 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
31K36K40K45K49K1990201020202024Brea
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$131,129
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,759 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$57,210
+117%since 2000
from $26,307 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
71.9%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.424
+8%since 2010
from 0.393 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services8.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$922,300
+104%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $248,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,397
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $935 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 64.2% in 2000
40.3% rent
Vacancy rate
3.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.2%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 38.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.4%
+8.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
7.0
+69%since 2000
from 4.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
63
RELATED:See current rent listings in Brea on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.5%(23,541)
Black1.2%(409)
Hispanic / Latino20.3%(7,205)
Asian9%(3,184)
Other0%
Diversity Score59.7%(21,125)
2024
White, non-Hispanic35.4%(16,810)
Black1.6%(777)
Hispanic / Latino29.9%(14,197)
Asian27.7%(13,142)
Other5.4%(2,543)
Diversity Score88.2%(41,853)
Diversity Score
88
+48%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
52.2%
+18.8 ptssince 2000
from 33.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.8%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 88.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
20.7%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.2 min
+47%since 2000
from 21.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.1%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 86.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.4%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.2%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
52.5%
−19.7 ptssince 2009
from 72.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
52.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
24.4%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.2%
−42.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2012
from 7.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.4%
−84.3 ptssince 2013
from 87.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.9%
+4.2 ptssince 2017
from 91.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
63.4%
−7.0 ptssince 2016
from 70.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
14.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 13.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Brea to nearby cities

BREA VS
Placentia
Income$115,929−12%
Home value$921,000same
Population54,911+16%
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BREA VS
Rowland Heights
Income$85,617−35%
Home value$851,300−8%
Population45,911−3%
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BREA VS
Fullerton
Income$104,286−20%
Home value$902,600−2%
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BREA VS
La Habra
Income$100,106−24%
Home value$781,600−15%
Population60,908+29%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Brea, California?

Brea, California has about 47,469 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Brea, California?

The typical household in Brea, California earns about $131,129 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Brea, California expensive?

In Brea, California, the median home is worth about $922,300, and the typical rent is about $2,397 a month.

How educated are people in Brea, California?

About 52.2% of adults age 25 and over in Brea, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Brea, California?

About 6.6% of people in Brea, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Brea, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Brea, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,596 residents, a change of about 44 percent over that period.

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

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