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CITY

California City

California · 13,300 residents (2025 est.) · 203.629 sq mi
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The short version

California City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,113. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 72% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $278,000. At a median age of 33.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 39% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 33.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 89%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,414
+72%since 2000
from 8,385 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
71 / sq mi
+72%since 2000
from 41 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
33.5
−7%since 2000
from 36.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:13,300 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K8K10K13K16K1990201020202024California City
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,113
−28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,735 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,434
+33%since 2000
from $19,902 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.8%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.8%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.500
+23%since 2010
from 0.407 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Construction4.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Manufacturing1.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$278,000
+89%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,300
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $535 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.0%
−12.1 ptssince 2000
from 67.1% in 2000
45.0% rent
Vacancy rate
12.6%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.1%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.6
+162%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
34
RELATED:See current rent listings in California City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic61.3%(5,136)
Black12.4%(1,039)
Hispanic / Latino17%(1,422)
Asian3.5%(292)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.6%(5,502)
2024
White, non-Hispanic28.2%(4,069)
Black23.5%(3,387)
Hispanic / Latino39.6%(5,715)
Asian2%(282)
Other6.7%(961)
Diversity Score87.9%(12,667)
Diversity Score
88
+34%since 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
79.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 82.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
43.3 min
+130%since 2000
from 18.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 68.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.8%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.7%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
18.7%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 24.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.8%
−11.4 ptssince 2011
from 62.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.7%
−32.8 ptssince 2009
from 62.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
58.1%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
41.9%
−11.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
14.1%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.4%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.9%
+9.7 ptssince 2012
from 13.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.9%
−78.4 ptssince 2013
from 84.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.5%
+17.7 ptssince 2017
from 73.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
68.6%
−8.4 ptssince 2016
from 77.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
29.2%
+10.7 ptssince 2016
from 18.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare California City to nearby cities

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Income$79,386+32%
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CALIFORNIA CITY VS
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Home value$355,500+28%
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CALIFORNIA CITY VS
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Home value$253,900−9%
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CALIFORNIA CITY VS
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Income$95,669+59%
Home value$410,300+48%
Population9,891−26%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in California City, California?

California City, California has about 14,414 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in California City, California?

The typical household in California City, California earns about $60,113 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is California City, California expensive?

In California City, California, the median home is worth about $278,000, and the typical rent is about $1,300 a month.

How educated are people in California City, California?

About 12.5% of adults age 25 and over in California City, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in California City, California?

About 22.8% of people in California City, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has California City, California grown since 1990?

Yes, California City, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,485 residents, a change of about 143 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →