CensusEasy
CITY

Ferndale

California · 1,348 residents (2025 est.) · 1.206 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Eureka micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Ferndale has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,142. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $542,000. With a median age of 61.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 36% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 61.2
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 74%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,552
+12%since 2000
from 1,382 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,287 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,146 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
61.2
+43%since 2000
from 42.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,348 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Ferndale
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,142
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,955 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,645
+96%since 2000
from $21,727 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.2%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.0%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.453
−6%since 2010
from 0.481 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food12.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction6.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade6.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
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
$542,000
+74%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $171,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,028
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $559 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.6%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 63.0% in 2000
39.4% rent
Vacancy rate
13.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
35.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 38.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.6%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.6
+90%since 2000
from 4.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
14
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ferndale on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.2%(1,260)
Black0.3%(4)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(59)
Asian0.6%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score12.7%(176)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.5%(1,203)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino10.9%(169)
Asian2.2%(34)
Other9.4%(146)
Diversity Score47.2%(733)
Diversity Score
47
+271%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.1%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 25.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 92.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.3 min
+89%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.4%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.0%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.2%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.2%
−18.0 ptssince 2011
from 66.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
30.2%
+14.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.0%
−21.7 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.1%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
57.9%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.1%
−40.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2012
from 18.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.5%
−85.0 ptssince 2013
from 86.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.7%
+12.4 ptssince 2017
from 79.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.6%
−7.4 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.1%
+6.2 ptssince 2016
from 2.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ferndale

Crystal Springs
Pop 1,298
Lacoochee
Pop 1,289
Mexico Beach
Pop 1,275
Bronson
Pop 1,292
Places similar to Ferndale
Head to head

Compare Ferndale to nearby cities

FERNDALE VS
Fortuna
Income$62,289−1%
Home value$379,700−30%
Population12,003+790%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
Eureka
Income$57,662−9%
Home value$404,500−25%
Population25,304+1777%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
Arcata
Income$46,713−26%
Home value$484,600−11%
Population19,047+1313%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
McKinleyville
Income$73,327+16%
Home value$457,600−16%
Population17,113+1170%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ferndale, California?

Ferndale, California has about 1,552 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ferndale, California?

The typical household in Ferndale, California earns about $63,142 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ferndale, California expensive?

In Ferndale, California, the median home is worth about $542,000, and the typical rent is about $1,028 a month.

How educated are people in Ferndale, California?

About 32.1% of adults age 25 and over in Ferndale, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ferndale, California?

About 13.0% of people in Ferndale, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ferndale, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Ferndale, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 221 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
California
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Ferndale with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →