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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lancaster

California · 173,516 residents · 94.282 sq mi
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The short version

Lancaster has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,413. Population has grown 46% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $280,300. At a median age of 33.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 26% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 91%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
173,516
+46%since 2000
from 118,718 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,840 / sq mi
+46%since 2000
from 1,259 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.2
+7%since 2000
from 31.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
90K113K135K158K181K1990201020202024Lancaster
2024169K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,413
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,127 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,185
+37%since 2000
from $16,935 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.3%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 29.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade10.8%
US avg: 10%
Information10.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$280,300
+91%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $97,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,274
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $643 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.8%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 61.4% in 2000
41.2% rent
Afford Score
4.8
+102%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lancaster on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic52.4%(62,256)
Black15.6%(18,548)
Hispanic / Latino24.1%(28,644)
Asian3.7%(4,348)
Other0%
Diversity Score76.2%(90,420)
2020
White, non-Hispanic24.4%(42,321)
Black20.5%(35,497)
Hispanic / Latino45.1%(78,338)
Asian4.4%(7,699)
Other3.8%(6,655)
Diversity Score85.1%(147,578)
Diversity Score
85
+12%since 2000
from 76 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.0 min
+25%since 2000
from 24.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 77.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 56.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.8%
−23.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
49.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
11.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.0%
−78.9 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lancaster

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Pop 176,714
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Pop 133,931
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Pop 147,615
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Head to head

Compare Lancaster to nearby cities

LANCASTER VS
Quartz Hill
Income$105,443+81%
Home value$485,300+73%
Population11,510−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LANCASTER VS
Palmdale
Income$81,770+40%
Home value$471,000+68%
Population161,845−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LANCASTER VS
Rosamond
Income$79,386+36%
Home value$352,600+26%
Population21,473−87%
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LANCASTER VS
Sun
Income$72,173+24%
Home value$384,700+37%
Population11,036−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lancaster, California?

Lancaster, California has about 173,516 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lancaster, California?

The typical household in Lancaster, California earns about $58,413 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lancaster, California expensive?

In Lancaster, California, the median home is worth about $280,300, and the typical rent is about $1,274 a month.

How educated are people in Lancaster, California?

About 19.1% of adults age 25 and over in Lancaster, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lancaster, California?

About 20.2% of people in Lancaster, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lancaster, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Lancaster, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 76,225 residents, a change of about 78 percent over that period.

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

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