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CITY

Chester

California · 1,759 residents · 7.288 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,129. Population has fallen 24% since 2000, a loss of 557 residents. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $304,800. With a median age of 61.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 52% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 61.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,759
−24%since 2000
from 2,316 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
241 / sq mi
−24%since 2000
from 318 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
61.6
+50%since 2000
from 41.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Chester
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,129
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,413 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,280
+135%since 2000
from $17,569 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.7%
+16.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.457
+16%since 2010
from 0.393 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade15.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction11.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade7.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing5.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Information4.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food3.6%
US avg: 1.9%
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%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$304,800
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $120,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,110
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $497 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 61.6% in 2000
33.4% rent
Vacancy rate
32.6%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 23.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.6%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.7%
+29.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.5
+79%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
22
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89%(2,062)
Black0.2%(5)
Hispanic / Latino6%(140)
Asian0.3%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score16.2%(375)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.3%(1,500)
Black0.6%(10)
Hispanic / Latino10.1%(177)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.1%(72)
Diversity Score32.6%(574)
Diversity Score
33
+102%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.8%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 87.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.0 min
+106%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
93.3%
+24.7 ptssince 2009
from 68.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.4%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.2%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.4%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−19.1 ptssince 2011
from 22.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
43.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 44.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
26.8%
+21.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.0%
−33.5 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
54.0%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.6%
−44.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.0%
+12.5 ptssince 2012
from 15.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−85.9 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.3%
+18.9 ptssince 2017
from 74.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2016
from 93.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 3.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, California?

Chester, California has about 1,759 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, California?

The typical household in Chester, California earns about $47,129 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, California expensive?

In Chester, California, the median home is worth about $304,800, and the typical rent is about $1,110 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, California?

About 18.8% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, California?

About 11.3% of people in Chester, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 374 residents, a change of about -18 percent over that period.

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

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