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CITY

Clearlake

California · 16,893 residents (2025 est.) · 10.129 sq mi
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The short version

Clearlake has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,867. Population has grown 27% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $214,200. The poverty rate of 25.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 58% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 84%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,659
+27%since 2000
from 13,142 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,645 / sq mi
+27%since 2000
from 1,297 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.8
−6%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,893 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
11K13K14K16K17K1990201020202024Clearlake
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,867
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,863 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,287
+70%since 2000
from $12,538 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.9%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 28.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.471
+12%since 2010
from 0.419 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade4.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$214,200
+84%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,240
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $498 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.5%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 63.1% in 2000
40.5% rent
Vacancy rate
21.0%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 29.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
35.8%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
64.7%
+15.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.1
+59%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clearlake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.7%(10,086)
Black5.1%(670)
Hispanic / Latino11%(1,449)
Asian1.1%(145)
Other0%
Diversity Score39.5%(5,194)
2024
White, non-Hispanic53.5%(8,908)
Black4%(660)
Hispanic / Latino33.9%(5,644)
Asian1.2%(202)
Other7.5%(1,245)
Diversity Score74%(12,327)
Diversity Score
74
+87%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 5.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.0%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 67.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.1 min
+55%since 2000
from 21.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.2%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.2%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.8%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
14.8%
−4.6 ptssince 2011
from 19.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 52.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
26.2%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.0%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
12.6%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.5%
−40.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.0%
−3.0 ptssince 2012
from 25.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.1%
−69.9 ptssince 2013
from 78.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.1%
+16.6 ptssince 2017
from 65.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
74.1%
−6.4 ptssince 2016
from 80.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
23.8%
+4.9 ptssince 2016
from 18.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Clearlake to nearby cities

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CLEARLAKE VS
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CLEARLAKE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Clearlake, California?

Clearlake, California has about 16,659 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Clearlake, California?

The typical household in Clearlake, California earns about $41,867 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clearlake, California expensive?

In Clearlake, California, the median home is worth about $214,200, and the typical rent is about $1,240 a month.

How educated are people in Clearlake, California?

About 7.9% of adults age 25 and over in Clearlake, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clearlake, California?

About 25.5% of people in Clearlake, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clearlake, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Clearlake, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,855 residents, a change of about 41 percent over that period.

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

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