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CITY

Fortuna

California · 12,003 residents (2025 est.) · 5.252 sq mi
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The short version

Fortuna has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,289. Population has grown 17% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $379,700. Households here earn about 37% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,326
+17%since 2000
from 10,497 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,347 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 1,999 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.4
−1%since 2000
from 37.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,003 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K9K11K12K13K1990201020202024Fortuna
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,289
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,129 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,685
+109%since 2000
from $16,574 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.8%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.455
−5%since 2010
from 0.481 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$379,700
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $124,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,168
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $526 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.1%
−6.1 ptssince 2000
from 62.3% in 2000
43.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
33.6%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.9%
−16.9 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.1
+53%since 2000
from 4.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fortuna on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.9%(8,704)
Black0.4%(41)
Hispanic / Latino10.5%(1,097)
Asian0.9%(97)
Other0%
Diversity Score27.6%(2,897)
2024
White, non-Hispanic61.2%(7,540)
Black2%(241)
Hispanic / Latino26.7%(3,297)
Asian2.8%(348)
Other7.3%(900)
Diversity Score68.5%(8,439)
Diversity Score
68
+148%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.8%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.8%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.8 min
+92%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
3.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 9.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.2%
+3.6 ptssince 2011
from 52.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.8%
−27.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
52.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
14.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.7%
−41.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2012
from 18.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.3%
−78.4 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.8%
+13.2 ptssince 2017
from 75.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
78.8%
−5.9 ptssince 2016
from 84.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
18.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2016
from 13.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Fortuna to nearby cities

FORTUNA VS
Eureka
Income$57,662−7%
Home value$404,500+7%
Population25,304+111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORTUNA VS
Arcata
Income$46,713−25%
Home value$484,600+28%
Population19,047+59%
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FORTUNA VS
McKinleyville
Income$73,327+18%
Home value$457,600+21%
Population17,113+43%
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FORTUNA VS
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Income$67,401+8%
Home value$294,400−22%
Population10,208−15%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Fortuna, California?

Fortuna, California has about 12,326 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fortuna, California?

The typical household in Fortuna, California earns about $62,289 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fortuna, California expensive?

In Fortuna, California, the median home is worth about $379,700, and the typical rent is about $1,168 a month.

How educated are people in Fortuna, California?

About 24.8% of adults age 25 and over in Fortuna, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fortuna, California?

About 18.2% of people in Fortuna, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fortuna, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Fortuna, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,676 residents, a change of about 42 percent over that period.

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

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