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CITY · 2020 ACS

Brea

California · 47,325 residents · 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 $100,969. Population has grown 34% since 2000. 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $687,700. Poverty is rare here, at 6.1% of residents. Households here earn about 28% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
47% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 84%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,325
+34%since 2000
from 35,410 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,742 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 2,800 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.1
+10%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
31K36K40K45K49K1990201020202024Brea
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$100,969
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,759 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$44,317
+68%since 2000
from $26,307 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
65.9%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.6%
US avg: 10%
Other services9.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing5.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$687,700
+84%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $248,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,958
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $935 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.5%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 64.2% in 2000
38.5% rent
Afford Score
6.8
+64%since 2000
from 4.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic38.6%(18,256)
Black1.7%(784)
Hispanic / Latino27.4%(12,972)
Asian27.6%(13,082)
Other4.3%(2,015)
Diversity Score86.8%(41,100)
Diversity Score
87
+46%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.8%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 33.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.4%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 88.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
17.7%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.3 min
+57%since 2000
from 21.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.6%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 86.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
49.8%
−22.3 ptssince 2009
from 72.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
53.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
22.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.3%
−83.4 ptssince 2013
from 87.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Brea

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Pop 35,030
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Head to head

Compare Brea to nearby cities

BREA VS
Placentia
Income$115,929+15%
Home value$921,000+34%
Population54,911+16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREA VS
Rowland Heights
Income$85,617−15%
Home value$851,300+24%
Population45,911−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREA VS
Fullerton
Income$104,286+3%
Home value$902,600+31%
Population138,675+193%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREA VS
La Habra
Income$100,106−1%
Home value$781,600+14%
Population60,908+29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Brea, California?

Brea, California has about 47,325 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Brea, California?

The typical household in Brea, California earns about $100,969 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 $687,700, and the typical rent is about $1,958 a month.

How educated are people in Brea, California?

About 46.8% 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 6.1% 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 14,452 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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