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CITY · 2020 ACS

El Cerrito

California · 25,962 residents · 3.672 sq mi
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The short version

El Cerrito is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $108,294. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $858,000. Households here earn about 38% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
64% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 96%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
25,962
+12%since 2000
from 23,171 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
7,070 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 6,310 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 42.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K23K24K25K26K1990201020202024El Cerrito
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$108,294
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,253 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$58,329
+79%since 2000
from $32,593 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
64.0%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information7.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.1%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$858,000
+96%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $291,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,031
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $907 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 61.0% in 2000
41.6% rent
Afford Score
7.9
+56%since 2000
from 5.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in El Cerrito on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic53.8%(12,474)
Black8.3%(1,931)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(1,838)
Asian24.3%(5,636)
Other0%
Diversity Score74.2%(17,197)
2020
White, non-Hispanic44.2%(11,467)
Black5.3%(1,387)
Hispanic / Latino11.8%(3,075)
Asian29.7%(7,701)
Other8.7%(2,247)
Diversity Score86.3%(22,409)
Diversity Score
86
+16%since 2000
from 74 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
64.2%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 56.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 92.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
31.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 25.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.8 min
+42%since 2000
from 23.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
48.7%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 8.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 66.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
61.6%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 75.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
52.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
31.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 31.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.4%
−84.4 ptssince 2013
from 88.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare El Cerrito to nearby cities

EL CERRITO VS
Albany
Income$144,107+33%
Home value$1,202,200+40%
Population19,195−27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CERRITO VS
San Pablo
Income$79,478−27%
Home value$551,700−36%
Population31,678+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CERRITO VS
Berkeley
Income$108,092same
Home value$1,413,900+65%
Population121,911+367%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CERRITO VS
El Sobrante CDP (Contra Costa County)
Income$114,853+6%
Home value$758,800−12%
Population16,294−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in El Cerrito, California?

El Cerrito, California has about 25,962 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in El Cerrito, California?

The typical household in El Cerrito, California earns about $108,294 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is El Cerrito, California expensive?

In El Cerrito, California, the median home is worth about $858,000, and the typical rent is about $2,031 a month.

How educated are people in El Cerrito, California?

About 64.2% of adults age 25 and over in El Cerrito, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in El Cerrito, California?

About 8.0% of people in El Cerrito, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has El Cerrito, California grown since 1990?

Yes, El Cerrito, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,093 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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

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