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CITY

Paradise

California · 10,023 residents (2025 est.) · 18.316 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#1Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-81.8%#133Oldest by median ageof 6,82657.4
The short version

Paradise has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $67,687. Population has fallen 72% since 2000, a loss of 19,016 residents. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $416,000. With a median age of 57.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 32% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 57.4
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 103%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,392
−72%since 2000
from 26,408 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
404 / sq mi
−72%since 2000
from 1,442 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
57.4
+23%since 2000
from 46.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:10,023 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K9K16K22K29K1990201020202024Paradise
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,687
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,863 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,327
+94%since 2000
from $19,267 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
44.9%
+20.2 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.2%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.492
+12%since 2010
from 0.439 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade10.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance7.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services5%
US avg: 0.9%
Retail trade4.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$416,000
+103%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $112,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,241
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $573 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.8%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
25.2% rent
Vacancy rate
7.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
39.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 35.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.3%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.1
+74%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
66
RELATED:See current rent listings in Paradise on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.2%(24,080)
Black0.2%(50)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(1,127)
Asian1%(262)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.4%(3,550)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.8%(5,823)
Black0.6%(46)
Hispanic / Latino9.8%(723)
Asian1.4%(105)
Other9.4%(695)
Diversity Score45.1%(3,334)
Diversity Score
45
+236%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.9%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.9%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+67%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.6%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 80.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.6%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
33.5%
−15.1 ptssince 2011
from 48.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.3%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 68.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.1%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
Female
47.9%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
15.6%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2012
from 20.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.7%
−84.6 ptssince 2013
from 86.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.4%
+14.4 ptssince 2017
from 82.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 95.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Paradise

Cape Canaveral
Pop 9,962
Lake Alfred
Pop 10,107
Dade City
Pop 10,173
Medulla
Pop 10,985
Places similar to Paradise
Head to head

Compare Paradise to nearby cities

PARADISE VS
Chico
Income$66,977−1%
Home value$468,100+13%
Population105,081+948%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PARADISE VS
Oroville
Income$52,270−23%
Home value$311,600−25%
Population20,451+104%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PARADISE VS
Orland
Income$64,945−4%
Home value$342,200−18%
Population8,381−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PARADISE VS
Corning
Income$56,627−16%
Home value$313,100−25%
Population8,260−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Paradise, California?

Paradise, California has about 7,392 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Paradise, California?

The typical household in Paradise, California earns about $67,687 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Paradise, California expensive?

In Paradise, California, the median home is worth about $416,000, and the typical rent is about $1,241 a month.

How educated are people in Paradise, California?

About 31.9% of adults age 25 and over in Paradise, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Paradise, California?

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

Has Paradise, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Paradise, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 18,016 residents, a change of about -71 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →