RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 576

Most sparsely populated, California cities · 1990

California cities with the fewest residents per square mile (1990). This list covers the 576 cities in California that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 576 is 2,484.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS –

01Lemoore Station, CACA6,1750–

02California City, CACA13,30029–

03Bear Valley Springs, CACA5,91235–

04Acton, CACA7,88035–

05Murrieta, CACA114,12445–

06Durham, CACA5,34059–

07Valley Center, CACA11,11963–

08Mojave, CACA5,17364–

09Oakhurst, CACA6,09178–

10Joshua Tree, CACA6,234108–

11Truckee, CACA17,278109–

12Yosemite Lakes, CACA5,288113–

13Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County), CACA7,408127–

14Jamul, CACA6,574128–

15El Dorado Hills, CACA51,026132–

16Wilton, CACA6,433133–

17Rosamond, CACA21,473143–

18San Martin, CACA6,954151–

19Big Bear City, CACA11,431154–

20Prunedale, CACA19,723158–

21Rosedale, CACA18,877160–

22Adelanto, CACA38,798161–

23Diamond Springs, CACA10,927173–

24Thousand Palms, CACA7,720175–

25Palermo, CACA5,266180–

26Mammoth Lakes, CACA6,867192–

27Rancho Murieta, CACA5,875197–

28Twentynine Palms, CACA25,939201–

29Hidden Valley Lake, CACA5,872208–

30Shafter, CACA23,871217–

31Mecca, CACA7,184284–

32Lincoln, CACA57,367300–

33Calimesa, CACA11,111312–

34Beaumont, CACA60,835319–

35La Quinta, CACA39,440322–

36Blythe, CACA15,042325–

37Templeton, CACA9,580338–

38Ramona, CACA22,634339–

39Yucca Valley, CACA21,887344–

40Lathrop, CACA42,783345–

41Alpine, CACA15,180362–

42Coto de Caza, CACA15,190366–

43Lake Arrowhead, CACA10,639370–

44Taft, CACA6,995386–

45Rancho Mirage, CACA17,876387–

46Desert Hot Springs, CACA34,009387–

47Oroville East, CACA7,504392–

48San Diego Country Estates, CACA10,223410–

49Elk Grove, CACA185,007410–

50Palm Springs, CACA45,315425–

51Woodside, CACA5,181439–

52Wildomar, CACA37,889443–

53Nuevo, CACA6,803443–

54Thermalito, CACA6,720445–

55Williams, CACA5,529451–

56Oak Park, CACA13,757466–

57Nipomo, CACA17,516472–

58Lake Elsinore, CACA75,067478–

59Pollock Pines, CACA6,212498–

60Avenal, CACA13,479501–

61Rio Vista, CACA10,523502–

62Brentwood, CACA66,607509–

63McKinleyville, CACA17,113515–

64Golden Hills, CACA9,891518–

65Barstow, CACA24,804519–

66Chowchilla, CACA18,730535–

67Victorville, CACA141,395553–

68Wrightwood, CACA5,067557–

69Lakeland, CACA12,236558–

70Tehachapi, CACA11,852565–

71Coachella, CACA45,411565–

72Apple Valley, CACA75,247598–

73Crestline, CACA9,835618–

74Chino Hills, CACA77,519618–

75San Jacinto, CACA56,014627–

76Cambria, CACA5,978639–

77Magalia, CACA7,389641–

78Palmdale, CACA161,845650–

79Imperial, CACA22,330652–

80Interlaken, CACA8,068653–

81Perris, CACA83,237680–

82Woodcrest, CACA17,368684–

83Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County), CACA7,361686–

84Hesperia, CACA102,605694–

85Yreka, CACA7,714696–

86Calipatria, CACA6,012722–

87Temecula, CACA114,865729–

88Madera Acres, CACA9,846732–

89Cherry Valley, CACA6,668742–

90Homeland, CACA7,584785–

91Loomis, CACA7,004785–

92Rancho San Diego, CACA21,272802–

93Lake Los Angeles, CACA13,051819–

94Los Altos Hills, CACA8,419829–

95Hilmar-Irwin, CACA6,132835–

96Big Bear Lake, CACA5,018857–

97Oroville, CACA20,451861–

98Palm Desert, CACA53,259868–

99Rancho Santa Margarita, CACA45,779881–

100Banning, CACA31,852885–

101Atascadero, CACA29,464896–

102Delhi, CACA11,009900–

103El Granada, CACA5,232901–

104Susanville, CACA12,816919–

105Mentone, CACA9,514929–

106Ben Lomond, CACA6,858942–

107El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), CACA31,626942–

108Rio Linda, CACA16,335955–

109Discovery Bay, CACA14,911957–

110Rocklin, CACA76,821961–

111Highgrove, CACA8,366987–

112Jackson, CACA5,100989–

113St. Helena, CACA5,1941,007–

114La Habra Heights, CACA5,3271,011–

115Roseville, CACA167,3021,014–

116Lancaster, CACA170,0841,032–

117Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CACA6,4731,044–

118Oak View, CACA6,1411,059–

119Cameron Park, CACA18,3151,060–

120Folsom, CACA91,9831,069–

121Blackhawk, CACA10,1371,073–

122Aliso Viejo, CACA49,8441,099–

123McFarland, CACA14,7091,105–

124Patterson, CACA26,5871,108–

125Indio, CACA94,2691,109–

126Poway, CACA49,1801,114–

127Redding, CACA94,0921,118–

128Colusa, CACA6,5191,131–

129Vandenberg, CACA6,7761,133–

130Galt, CACA26,9641,136–

131Oakley, CACA47,5831,149–

132Olivehurst, CACA18,4441,157–

133Chico, CACA105,0811,161–

134Yucaipa, CACA54,9531,162–

135Bakersfield, CACA422,1651,163–

136Clearlake, CACA16,8931,165–

137Anderson, CACA11,1311,180–

138Coalinga, CACA17,2811,199–

139Fowler, CACA7,7451,200–

140Hemet, CACA93,6491,233–

141Alamo, CACA14,4881,251–

142Firebaugh, CACA8,7741,259–

143Fallbrook, CACA32,1121,261–

144American Canyon, CACA22,7731,268–

145Valle Vista, CACA18,6021,269–

146Tracy, CACA101,9011,274–

147Larkfield-Wikiup, CACA8,7651,277–

148Orinda, CACA19,5071,295–

149Wasco, CACA26,5251,310–

150North Auburn, CACA13,4801,323–

151Ridgecrest, CACA28,3331,329–

152Cathedral City, CACA52,3751,339–

153West Sacramento, CACA56,2161,346–

154Live Oak, CACA9,4661,384–

155Paradise, CACA10,0231,387–

156Aptos, CACA6,4041,398–

157Ripon, CACA16,1401,400–

158Rancho Cordova, CACA87,5541,410–

159Ione, CACA9,2821,423–

160Half Moon Bay, CACA11,2871,424–

161Atherton, CACA6,9601,428–

162Placerville, CACA10,6851,431–

163Lakeport, CACA5,0591,436–

164Westlake, CACA7,5051,437–

165Los Banos, CACA49,6141,452–

166Cloverdale, CACA8,7011,464–

167Dixon, CACA21,1161,465–

168Auburn, CACA13,8471,476–

169Madera, CACA69,0171,487–

170Santa Clarita, CACA228,4301,503–

171Lemoore, CACA27,2911,507–

172Grass Valley, CACA14,0351,509–

173Linda, CACA23,8711,519–

174Dublin, CACA71,6021,525–

175Lake of the Pines, CACA5,4611,539–

176Delano, CACA52,3341,547–

177Bermuda Dunes, CACA7,9711,549–

178Lafayette, CACA25,3131,564–

179Porterville, CACA63,0881,578–

180San Marcos, CACA94,9081,586–

181Soledad, CACA26,3571,602–

182Tulare, CACA73,9071,608–

183Mira Monte, CACA6,8881,608–

184Arcata, CACA19,0471,614–

185Winters, CACA8,2141,615–

186Kerman, CACA17,5531,622–

187Red Bluff, CACA14,4041,635–

188Fortuna, CACA12,0031,647–

189Corning, CACA8,2601,655–

190Yuba City, CACA69,4851,656–

191Carlsbad, CACA112,2601,669–

192Redlands, CACA74,1281,677–

193Tiburon, CACA8,8811,678–

194Irvine, CACA318,7641,682–

195Norco, CACA25,0811,682–

196Orland, CACA8,3811,685–

197Hughson, CACA8,0511,710–

198Hanford, CACA62,2291,717–

199El Cerrito, CACA5,3251,726–

200Hillsborough, CACA11,2061,730–

201Danville, CACA43,3021,732–

202Novato, CACA51,9471,739–

203Ojai, CACA7,4741,748–

204Santa Fe Springs, CACA18,7931,752–

205San Ramon, CACA86,2091,760–

206Corcoran, CACA22,3581,779–

207Heber, CACA7,3121,787–

208Windsor, CACA25,8641,798–

209San Juan Capistrano, CACA35,1191,814–

210Riverbank, CACA26,5571,815–

211Morro Bay, CACA10,6131,836–

212Morgan Hill, CACA45,6251,849–

213Highland, CACA57,6141,854–

214Fairfield, CACA122,4891,857–

215Commerce, CACA11,6881,858–

216Scotts Valley, CACA11,6521,866–

217Thousand Oaks, CACA122,2301,888–

218Dinuba, CACA25,9491,900–

219Manteca, CACA96,6931,904–

220Gilroy, CACA60,7641,904–

221Clayton, CACA10,8421,905–

222Keyes, CACA5,5771,906–

223Benicia, CACA26,4011,907–

224Corona, CACA161,7341,908–

225Oakdale, CACA23,2461,921–

226Arvin, CACA19,8201,927–

227Kingsburg, CACA13,2491,935–

228Newman, CACA12,4531,936–

229Escalon, CACA7,3941,946–

230Clovis, CACA129,3471,947–

231Solvang, CACA5,9441,955–

232Kentfield, CACA6,9001,973–

233Visalia, CACA146,5411,982–

234Livingston, CACA14,6901,991–

235Loma Linda, CACA25,2211,991–

236Woodlake, CACA8,0731,993–

237Soquel, CACA10,6791,999–

238Mendota, CACA12,7782,010–

239King City, CACA14,0022,011–

240Chino, CACA96,9572,018–

241Fontana, CACA221,2232,023–

242Waterford, CACA9,2582,023–

243Rodeo, CACA8,9762,025–

244Salida, CACA13,9002,029–

245Earlimart, CACA7,2142,041–

246Canyon Lake, CACA11,1132,042–

247Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CACA12,0852,049–

248Moorpark, CACA35,0232,077–

249Gustine, CACA6,1122,091–

250Pleasanton, CACA74,5562,094–

251Fort Bragg, CACA6,9462,104–

252Myrtletown, CACA5,3222,104–

253Willows, CACA6,1162,111–

254Ladera Heights, CACA7,3342,130–

255Antioch, CACA118,9582,132–

256Livermore, CACA83,4572,136–

257Healdsburg, CACA11,1722,142–

258South Lake Tahoe, CACA21,1152,144–

259San Dimas, CACA32,9782,155–

260Rolling Hills Estates, CACA7,9482,178–

261Rancho Cucamonga, CACA177,8562,180–

262Pismo Beach, CACA7,9112,193–

263Saratoga, CACA30,4182,196–

264Calexico, CACA38,6232,201–

265Buellton, CACA5,1582,216–

266Gridley, CACA7,2582,219–

267Fremont, CACA226,4422,219–

268Seal Beach, CACA24,0752,220–

269Crescent City, CACA6,0022,231–

270San Clemente, CACA62,2262,239–

271La Cañada Flintridge, CACA19,4802,245–

272Orangevale, CACA35,9582,294–

273Moreno Valley, CACA214,2632,315–

274Palo Alto, CACA67,6092,324–

275Brawley, CACA28,0082,339–

276Los Gatos, CACA32,5762,368–

277Vacaville, CACA103,8502,393–

278Lamont, CACA13,1642,403–

279Simi Valley, CACA124,8612,412–

280Hollister, CACA45,6952,413–

281Merced, CACA99,7242,417–

282Arroyo Grande, CACA18,1232,421–

283Hayward, CACA157,1132,433–

284Gonzales, CACA8,3132,436–

285Claremont, CACA35,8382,437–

286Glendora, CACA49,6712,451–

287Fair Oaks, CACA32,7992,470–

288Muscoy, CACA12,0252,480–

289Selma, CACA24,7022,484–

290Winton, CACA11,7972,486–

291Bloomington, CACA25,6982,490–

292Bonita, CACA12,6522,500–

293Greenfield, CACA21,1382,511–

294Turlock, CACA72,8642,512–

295Martinez, CACA36,8492,534–

296Quartz Hill, CACA11,5102,559–

297Colton, CACA53,3832,573–

298El Centro, CACA44,3822,590–

299Woodland, CACA62,5132,599–

300Brea, CACA47,2602,599–

301Laguna Beach, CACA22,3912,605–

302Agoura Hills, CACA19,2432,615–

303Corte Madera, CACA9,9292,618–

304Monrovia, CACA38,2642,623–

305Hercules, CACA26,3262,624–

306Yorba Linda, CACA65,6322,627–

307San Bernardino, CACA222,0442,644–

308Camarillo, CACA68,6522,657–

309Santa Rosa, CACA179,4372,664–

310Ontario, CACA187,0132,664–

311Santa Maria, CACA111,3902,687–

312Pittsburg, CACA77,5422,691–

313Newark, CACA47,8952,720–

314Chula Vista, CACA275,5332,723–

315Mill Valley, CACA13,7992,726–

316East Porterville, CACA5,0662,729–

317Farmersville, CACA10,3262,755–

318Ceres, CACA48,9822,770–

319Union City, CACA65,2822,772–

320Riverside, CACA323,0572,791–

321El Segundo, CACA16,3792,794–

322Newport Beach, CACA81,9772,800–

323Florin, CACA50,2112,801–

324Menlo Park, CACA32,7132,803–

325Eureka, CACA25,3042,806–

326Palos Verdes Estates, CACA12,5592,829–

327Reedley, CACA26,9822,835–

328Lindsay, CACA12,5782,862–

329Huron, CACA7,3942,869–

330Castro Valley, CACA65,0012,886–

331Encinitas, CACA60,7362,906–

332Escondido, CACA146,0302,909–

333Richmond, CACA114,8612,910–

334Los Alamitos, CACA11,7022,913–

335San Rafael, CACA59,4102,918–

336Sanger, CACA27,2282,920–

337Exeter, CACA10,1222,936–

338Sonoma, CACA10,5372,960–

339Marina, CACA23,2562,967–

340Rio del Mar, CACA9,2012,973–

341Pacifica, CACA36,8902,994–

342Petaluma, CACA59,6882,996–

343Rialto, CACA106,5543,005–

344Laguna Niguel, CACA64,1073,013–

345Dos Palos, CACA5,6973,024–

346Villa Park, CACA5,6453,033–

347Fairview, CACA10,7453,041–

348Cotati, CACA7,3473,049–

349Fresno, CACA555,5493,058–

350Ukiah, CACA16,0683,063–

351Walnut Creek, CACA70,0123,065–

352Duarte, CACA22,8663,084–

353Rancho Palos Verdes, CACA39,6543,092–

354Grand Terrace, CACA12,9363,107–

355Fairfax, CACA7,4173,111–

356Oceanside, CACA170,4833,111–

357San Luis Obispo, CACA50,6363,115–

358Orange Cove, CACA9,8113,127–

359Carmichael, CACA76,9483,176–

360El Sobrante CDP (Contra Costa County), CACA16,2943,182–

361El Rio, CACA6,3683,186–

362Santee, CACA58,2053,199–

363Parlier, CACA14,6223,212–

364Walnut, CACA27,3163,238–

365Lompoc, CACA43,3153,239–

366Rowland Heights, CACA45,9113,261–

367Strawberry CDP (Marin County), CACA5,8303,291–

368Garden Acres, CACA10,6673,308–

369Stockton, CACA324,5973,343–

370Oildale, CACA34,6873,357–

371East Hemet, CACA20,2573,387–

372Atwater, CACA32,1333,393–

373Coronado, CACA21,0943,400–

374San Diego, CACA1,406,1063,406–

375Redwood City, CACA82,1783,417–

376Pinole, CACA18,5433,421–

377Napa, CACA76,5623,427–

378San Marino, CACA11,9643,441–

379Cupertino, CACA58,3333,551–

380Marysville, CACA12,7383,558–

381Vallejo, CACA123,2873,588–

382Diamond Bar, CACA51,8843,607–

383Fillmore, CACA16,9373,633–

384Concord, CACA123,2613,643–

385Sierra Madre, CACA10,6203,647–

386La Verne, CACA30,1783,669–

387Larkspur, CACA12,6203,691–

388Monterey, CACA28,9533,696–

389Sebastopol, CACA7,5323,722–

390Sacramento, CACA536,4493,744–

391Milpitas, CACA78,5963,760–

392Lodi, CACA69,1003,792–

393Solana Beach, CACA12,6023,797–

394Modesto, CACA219,6523,799–

395Signal Hill, CACA11,1533,824–

396Vista, CACA98,2743,834–

397Santa Cruz, CACA61,7973,849–

398Oceano, CACA7,1284,016–

399Los Altos, CACA30,9654,022–

400Sausalito, CACA7,0194,054–

401Upland, CACA79,4464,067–

402Foothill Farms, CACA36,4354,080–

403Mission Viejo, CACA90,4844,123–

404Guadalupe, CACA8,8464,182–

405Holtville, CACA5,5914,217–

406San Buenaventura (Ventura), CACA109,9144,232–

407Azusa, CACA47,4474,278–

408Orange, CACA138,3654,311–

409Seaside, CACA31,6364,359–

410San Anselmo, CACA12,5554,390–

411Santa Barbara, CACA86,4224,391–

412San Jose, CACA989,8144,396–

413Arcadia, CACA54,1174,419–

414Pleasant Hill, CACA34,0174,464–

415Carson, CACA90,8084,484–

416Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CACA19,7654,485–

417East Pasadena, CACA5,4794,487–

418Emeryville, CACA13,2514,509–

419Santa Paula, CACA31,7744,532–

420Tustin, CACA77,8434,557–

421Watsonville, CACA50,7164,583–

422Port Hueneme, CACA20,9874,602–

423Salinas, CACA159,1344,626–

424Davis, CACA66,1104,634–

425Live Oak, CACA16,9114,691–

426Hacienda Heights, CACA54,2914,695–

427North Highlands, CACA47,9574,780–

428San Carlos, CACA29,2614,835–

429Country Club, CACA10,1614,864–

430Dana Point, CACA32,2324,918–

431La Crescenta-Montrose, CACA19,6604,950–

432Rohnert Park, CACA44,8114,986–

433Altadena, CACA41,7055,039–

434August, CACA8,8255,076–

435Home Gardens, CACA10,5065,082–

436Fullerton, CACA138,6755,091–

437San Leandro, CACA85,3535,121–

438Santa Clara, CACA133,4465,122–

439Montclair, CACA37,5635,141–

440Kensington, CACA5,1795,160–

441Castroville, CACA6,7205,164–

442La Mirada, CACA45,9525,170–

443Rosemont, CACA23,7665,209–

444Belmont, CACA28,7525,211–

445Anaheim, CACA341,0085,298–

446Whittier, CACA85,8155,302–

447Carpinteria, CACA12,7345,312–

448Sunnyvale, CACA156,5775,314–

449Oxnard, CACA199,6515,357–

450Burbank, CACA102,9885,408–

451Boyes Hot Springs, CACA7,2475,584–

452Beverly Hills, CACA30,7645,601–

453Pacific Grove, CACA14,6595,624–

454Mountain View, CACA85,4385,641–

455Suisun City, CACA29,4545,664–

456Lakeside CDP (San Diego County), CACA22,4475,688–

457Pomona, CACA147,8075,731–

458Pasadena, CACA135,8045,731–

459La Riviera, CACA11,4925,782–

460Arden-Arcade, CACA94,9945,791–

461La Mesa, CACA59,9145,822–

462East San Gabriel, CACA23,4105,850–

463South San Francisco, CACA64,9415,901–

464Glendale, CACA187,1605,907–

465Fountain Valley, CACA55,5085,919–

466West Covina, CACA105,3015,992–

467Costa Mesa, CACA108,8816,096–

468Cerritos, CACA46,3676,101–

469Burlingame, CACA31,9296,101–

470El Cajon, CACA101,7556,113–

471Placentia, CACA54,9116,129–

472Covina, CACA49,4046,142–

473Imperial Beach, CACA25,2066,180–

474Lemon Grove, CACA27,9366,183–

475El Cerrito, CACA26,1216,228–

476Piedmont, CACA10,6426,236–

477Millbrae, CACA22,8696,244–

478Avocado Heights, CACA12,5936,345–

479Rossmoor, CACA11,5326,346–

480Capitola, CACA9,3406,381–

481View Park-Windsor Hills, CACA11,2306,393–

482Cypress, CACA48,7816,449–

483Torrance, CACA138,3916,488–

484Buena Park, CACA81,7416,534–

485San Lorenzo, CACA29,1716,562–

486Stanford, CACA18,6626,581–

487West Athens, CACA8,7266,626–

488Oakland, CACA440,8386,652–

489Huntington Beach, CACA191,4516,727–

490La Habra, CACA60,9086,782–

491East Foothills, CACA7,1397,004–

492South Pasadena, CACA25,5037,021–

493San Mateo, CACA103,3377,045–

494Bostonia, CACA16,7657,098–

495San Bruno, CACA42,3057,098–

496Pico Rivera, CACA58,9157,117–

497Laguna Hills, CACA30,0207,137–

498Montebello, CACA60,6937,152–

499South El Monte, CACA18,9637,331–

500Alameda, CACA76,8767,353–

SHOWING 1–500 OF 576

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UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS