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CITY · 2020 ACS

Fortuna

California · 12,516 residents · 5.252 sq mi
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The short version

Fortuna has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,025. Population has grown 19% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $280,200. Households here earn about 41% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,516
+19%since 2000
from 10,497 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,383 / sq mi
+19%since 2000
from 1,999 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.6
+4%since 2000
from 37.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K9K11K12K13K1990201020202024Fortuna
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,025
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,129 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,569
+54%since 2000
from $16,574 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.8%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade5.1%
US avg: 10%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$280,200
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $124,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$925
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $526 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 62.3% in 2000
41.0% rent
Afford Score
6.1
+52%since 2000
from 4.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.8%(8,488)
Black0.5%(64)
Hispanic / Latino20.7%(2,590)
Asian1.2%(153)
Other6.6%(827)
Diversity Score57.4%(7,185)
Diversity Score
57
+108%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.6%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.2 min
+80%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.0%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 69.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 9.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.7%
+6.1 ptssince 2011
from 52.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
24.0%
−33.1 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
10.4%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.2%
−75.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Fortuna to nearby cities

FORTUNA VS
Eureka
Income$57,662+25%
Home value$404,500+44%
Population25,304+111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORTUNA VS
Arcata
Income$46,713+1%
Home value$484,600+73%
Population19,047+59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORTUNA VS
McKinleyville
Income$73,327+59%
Home value$457,600+63%
Population17,113+43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORTUNA VS
Shasta Lake
Income$67,401+46%
Home value$294,400+5%
Population10,208−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fortuna, California?

Fortuna, California has about 12,516 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fortuna, California?

The typical household in Fortuna, California earns about $46,025 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 $280,200, and the typical rent is about $925 a month.

How educated are people in Fortuna, California?

About 21.4% 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 18.7% 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 3,866 residents, a change of about 45 percent over that period.

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

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