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RANKING · 2010 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 642

Most sparsely populated, California cities · 2010

California cities with the fewest residents per square mile (2023). This list covers the 642 cities in California that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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YEAR19902000201020202025
Most sparsely populated by state
RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS 2000
01Lucerne Valley, CACA5,95755
02Durham, CACA5,34068+6%
03California City, CACA13,30069+68%
04Mojave, CACA5,17373+10%
05Oakhurst, CACA6,09185−1%
06Bear Valley Springs, CACA5,912133+22%
07Salton City, CACA5,988176+285%
08Palermo, CACA5,266185−6%
09Wilton, CACA6,433185+18%
10Acton, CACA7,880193+218%
11Joshua Tree, CACA6,234205+76%
12Piñon Hills, CACA7,065226
13Yosemite Lakes, CACA5,288237+19%
14Phelan, CACA18,496238
16Thousand Palms, CACA7,720327+51%
17Mammoth Lakes, CACA6,867331+16%
18Valley Center, CACA11,119338+27%
19Rosamond, CACA21,473348+26%
20Oak Hills, CACA9,013362
21Jamul, CACA6,574366+4%
22Lake Mathews, CACA6,527370
23Prunedale, CACA19,723381+7%
24Oroville East, CACA7,504383−5%
25Big Bear City, CACA11,431384+113%
26Twentynine Palms, CACA25,939426+70%
27Topanga, CACA8,885433
28Shafter, CACA23,871439+33%
29Woodside, CACA5,181461−1%
30Rancho Murieta, CACA5,875462+31%
31Palm Springs, CACA45,315471+4%
32Rosedale, CACA18,877480+66%
33Plumas Lake, CACA9,418494
34Truckee, CACA17,278500+17%
35Yucca Valley, CACA21,887520+23%
36Thermalito, CACA6,720524+10%
37Ramona, CACA22,634528+29%
38Calimesa, CACA11,111529+10%
39Alpine, CACA15,180531+8%
40Rancho Calaveras, CACA7,131534+27%
41Barstow, CACA24,804548+7%
42Hidden Valley Lake, CACA5,872568+48%
43Adelanto, CACA38,798601+75%
45San Martin, CACA6,954606+66%
46Taft, CACA6,995611+46%
47Malibu, CACA9,574637+1%
48Diamond Springs, CACA10,927663+126%
49Rancho Mirage, CACA17,876681+30%
50McSwain, CACA5,783692
51Lake Arrowhead, CACA10,639703+39%
52Cambria, CACA5,978717−3%
53McKinleyville, CACA17,113727+12%
54Ben Lomond, CACA6,858745+164%
55Interlaken, CACA8,068747−0%
56Wrightwood, CACA5,067760+18%
57Crestline, CACA9,835775+5%
58Yreka, CACA7,714778+7%
59Blythe, CACA15,042785+71%
60Golden Hills, CACA9,891793+16%
61Cherry Valley, CACA6,668794+8%
62Avenal, CACA13,479796+6%
63Pollock Pines, CACA6,212797+45%
64Big Bear Lake, CACA5,018804−8%
65Magalia, CACA7,389807+7%
66Good Hope, CACA8,816819
68Desert Hot Springs, CACA34,009861+56%
69La Habra Heights, CACA5,327865−7%
70El Dorado Hills, CACA51,026869+134%
71Los Altos Hills, CACA8,419874+0%
72Loomis, CACA7,004885+3%
73Apple Valley, CACA75,247898+27%
74Lathrop, CACA42,783909+73%
75Shasta Lake, CACA10,208933+13%
76Aptos, CACA6,404946−34%
77Granite Bay, CACA21,673947+5%
78Nuevo, CACA6,803952+56%
79Garnet, CACA7,382958
80Mead Valley, CACA19,286970
81Templeton, CACA9,580970+64%
82Montecito, CACA9,031976−10%
83Williams, CACA5,5291,036+40%
84La Quinta, CACA39,4401,062+58%
85Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CACA6,4731,063−4%
86Goshen, CACA5,1361,067+26%
87Sun, CACA11,0361,070
88Silver Lakes, CACA6,9771,075
89Atascadero, CACA29,4641,086+7%
90Nipomo, CACA17,5161,109+32%
91El Granada, CACA5,2321,113−4%
92Rio Vista, CACA10,5231,115+61%
93Eucalyptus Hills, CACA5,8401,117
94Los Osos, CACA14,1661,119
95Oroville, CACA20,4511,119+20%
96St. Helena, CACA5,1941,173−2%
97Oak View, CACA6,1411,194−3%
98Beaumont, CACA60,8351,216+224%
99Poway, CACA49,1801,223−0%
100Vandenberg, CACA6,7761,233+12%
101Highgrove, CACA8,3661,240+16%
102Mecca, CACA7,1841,240+59%
103Hesperia, CACA102,6051,241+44%
104Woodcrest, CACA17,3681,258+72%
105Lake Los Angeles, CACA13,0511,266+7%
106Fort Irwin, CACA8,4191,270
107Banning, CACA31,8521,274+26%
108Madera Acres, CACA9,8461,279+18%
109Jackson, CACA5,1001,298+17%
110Lakeland, CACA12,2361,316+105%
111Hilmar-Irwin, CACA6,1321,323+8%
112Ridgecrest, CACA28,3331,324+11%
113Vineyard, CACA43,7511,325+146%
114Lake Elsinore, CACA75,0671,354+79%
115Wildomar, CACA37,8891,355+129%
116Coachella, CACA45,4111,361+79%
117Colusa, CACA6,5191,369+11%
118Orinda, CACA19,5071,373+0%
119Atherton, CACA6,9601,378−4%
120Homeland, CACA7,5841,398+61%
121Tehachapi, CACA11,8521,405+32%
122Anderson, CACA11,1311,413+10%
123Mira Monte, CACA6,8881,423−5%
124Mentone, CACA9,5141,427+12%
125West Rancho Dominguez, CACA23,3001,428
126Paradise, CACA10,0231,431−1%
127Palmdale, CACA161,8451,440+31%
128Alamo, CACA14,4881,484−7%
130Clearlake, CACA16,8931,506+16%
131Redding, CACA94,0921,511+11%
132Rio Linda, CACA16,3351,522+44%
133Camp Pendleton South, CACA15,7661,530+20%
134Lake of the Pines, CACA5,4611,550−1%
135Lakeport, CACA5,0591,554−1%
136Victorville, CACA141,3951,572+81%
137Lafayette, CACA25,3131,590−0%
138Westlake, CACA7,5051,594−1%
139Blackhawk, CACA10,1371,620
140Olivehurst, CACA18,4441,623+23%
141Cameron Park, CACA18,3151,624+25%
142Lancaster, CACA170,0841,661+32%
143Menifee, CACA118,5921,668
144North Auburn, CACA13,4801,672+10%
145Larkfield-Wikiup, CACA8,7651,674+19%
146Chino Hills, CACA77,5191,675+12%
147Calabasas, CACA22,0271,682+15%
148Chowchilla, CACA18,7301,689+68%
149Moraga, CACA16,3221,693
150San Jacinto, CACA56,0141,708+86%
151Ojai, CACA7,4741,713−5%
152Camino Tassajara, CACA5,8311,722
153Ione, CACA9,2821,729+11%
154Fallbrook, CACA32,1121,741+5%
155Hillsborough, CACA11,2061,756+0%
156Lemoore Station, CACA6,1751,757+29%
158Lincoln, CACA57,3671,772+282%
159Placerville, CACA10,6851,779+8%
160Palm Desert, CACA53,2591,809+18%
161Half Moon Bay, CACA11,2871,814−4%
162Yucaipa, CACA54,9531,818+25%
163Arcata, CACA19,0471,830+3%
164Santa Fe Springs, CACA18,7931,831−7%
165Auburn, CACA13,8471,857+7%
166Red Bluff, CACA14,4041,862+7%
167Rancho Cordova, CACA87,5541,874+18%
168Novato, CACA51,9471,896+9%
169Coto de Caza, CACA15,1901,906+14%
170Redlands, CACA74,1281,909+8%
171Morro Bay, CACA10,6131,917−1%
172Norco, CACA25,0811,953+12%
173Coalinga, CACA17,2811,954+15%
174El Cerrito, CACA5,3251,960+11%
175Commerce, CACA11,6881,963+2%
176Tiburon, CACA8,8811,996+3%
177McFarland, CACA14,7092,004+32%
178Calipatria, CACA6,0122,068+6%
179Linda, CACA23,8712,070+32%
180Fowler, CACA7,7452,083+40%
181Soquel, CACA10,6792,098+90%
182Benicia, CACA26,4012,107+0%
183Valle Vista, CACA18,6022,114+39%
184French Valley, CACA45,2692,122
185Mountain House, CACA25,3152,123
186South Lake Tahoe, CACA21,1152,126−9%
187Seal Beach, CACA24,0752,138+0%
188Kentfield, CACA6,9002,142+2%
189Grass Valley, CACA14,0352,145+18%
190Firebaugh, CACA8,7742,146+31%
191Corning, CACA8,2602,160+14%
192Solvang, CACA5,9442,163−2%
193Perris, CACA83,2372,167+89%
194Willows, CACA6,1162,174−1%
195Pismo Beach, CACA7,9112,189−10%
196Ladera Heights, CACA7,3342,192−1%
197Marina, CACA23,2562,213−21%
198San Dimas, CACA32,9782,220−5%
199Myrtletown, CACA5,3222,229+5%
200Oakley, CACA47,5832,233+38%
201Rolling Hills Estates, CACA7,9482,255+5%
202Winters, CACA8,2142,257+8%
203Susanville, CACA12,8162,267+33%
204West Sacramento, CACA56,2162,270+54%
205Fortuna, CACA12,0032,271+14%
206Cathedral City, CACA52,3752,278+20%
208Indio, CACA94,2692,291+55%
209Thousand Oaks, CACA122,2302,293+8%
210Bakersfield, CACA422,1652,312+41%
211Rodeo, CACA8,9762,316−0%
212Danville, CACA43,3022,325+1%
213Imperial, CACA22,3302,340+95%
214Saratoga, CACA30,4182,342+0%
215La Cañada Flintridge, CACA19,4802,346−0%
217Discovery Bay, CACA14,9112,388+49%
218Santa Clarita, CACA228,4302,395+17%
219San Juan Capistrano, CACA35,1192,397+2%
220Coronado, CACA21,0942,423−22%
221Orland, CACA8,3812,432+16%
222Rancho San Diego, CACA21,2722,439+5%
223Bermuda Dunes, CACA7,9712,468+17%
224Chico, CACA105,0812,497+44%
225Bonita, CACA12,6522,499+1%
226Scotts Valley, CACA11,6522,508+2%
227Fort Bragg, CACA6,9462,517+4%
228Fairfield, CACA122,4892,533+10%
229Los Gatos, CACA32,5762,546+3%
230Healdsburg, CACA11,1722,546+5%
231Laguna Beach, CACA22,3912,555−4%
232Woodlake, CACA8,0732,555+9%
233Cloverdale, CACA8,7012,563+26%
234Glendora, CACA49,6712,567+1%
235Dixon, CACA21,1162,585+14%
236Folsom, CACA91,9832,590+39%
237Desert Palms, CACA6,5792,601
238Agoura Hills, CACA19,2432,608−1%
239Oak Park, CACA13,7572,608+495%
240Castaic, CACA17,9992,618
241Claremont, CACA35,8382,619+3%
242Patterson, CACA26,5872,621+76%
243Chino, CACA96,9572,637+16%
244Loma Linda, CACA25,2212,662+25%
245Orcutt, CACA31,4542,671+0%
246Palo Alto, CACA67,6092,678+10%
247Monrovia, CACA38,2642,684−1%
248Ripon, CACA16,1402,685+41%
249Hemet, CACA93,6492,688+34%
250Live Oak, CACA9,4662,689+35%
251Temecula, CACA114,8652,692+73%
252Roseville, CACA167,3022,694+49%
253Lemoore, CACA27,2912,713+24%
254Canyon Lake, CACA11,1132,716+6%
255Spring Valley Lake, CACA9,4832,718
256Wasco, CACA26,5252,721+20%
257Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CACA19,7652,739−1%
258Fremont, CACA226,4422,741+5%
259Stevenson Ranch, CACA20,9902,750
260Carlsbad, CACA112,2602,786+35%
261Villa Park, CACA5,6452,798−3%
262Moorpark, CACA35,0232,804+10%
263Palos Verdes Estates, CACA12,5592,814+1%
264Martinez, CACA36,8492,834−0%
265Clayton, CACA10,8422,838+1%
266Eureka, CACA25,3042,842+4%
267Fair Oaks, CACA32,7992,842+10%
268Los Alamitos, CACA11,7022,857−1%
269Highland, CACA57,6142,860+19%
270Tulare, CACA73,9072,867+35%
271Rocklin, CACA76,8212,876+57%
272Porterville, CACA63,0882,883+37%
273Quartz Hill, CACA11,5102,901+10%
274Arroyo Grande, CACA18,1232,905+9%
275Mill Valley, CACA13,7992,907+2%
276Pleasanton, CACA74,5562,911+10%
277Morgan Hill, CACA45,6252,928+13%
278Corte Madera, CACA9,9292,928+2%
279Gustine, CACA6,1122,936+17%
280Earlimart, CACA7,2142,941+30%
281Gilroy, CACA60,7642,952+18%
282Pacifica, CACA36,8902,959−3%
283Orangevale, CACA35,9582,966+27%
284Gold River, CACA7,9242,977−1%
285Heber, CACA7,3122,977+43%
287Simi Valley, CACA124,8612,991+12%
288Hanford, CACA62,2293,013+29%
289Galt, CACA26,9643,022+21%
290Dublin, CACA71,6023,023+54%
292Livermore, CACA83,4573,047+10%
293Buellton, CACA5,1583,052+26%
294El Segundo, CACA16,3793,056+4%
295Kingsburg, CACA13,2493,056+24%
296Newark, CACA47,8953,059+0%
297Delhi, CACA11,0093,064+34%
298Rio del Mar, CACA9,2013,072+0%
299Brawley, CACA28,0083,085+13%
300Murrieta, CACA114,1243,085+134%
301Rancho Palos Verdes, CACA39,6543,091+1%
302Vacaville, CACA103,8503,094+4%
303Brea, CACA47,2603,106+11%
304Madera, CACA69,0173,116+42%
305Encinitas, CACA60,7363,123+3%
306Escalon, CACA7,3943,131+20%
307Manteca, CACA96,6933,132+36%
308Hayward, CACA157,1133,147+3%
309Tracy, CACA101,9013,148+46%
310Lamont, CACA13,1643,152+14%
311Gridley, CACA7,2583,155+22%
312Duarte, CACA22,8663,178−1%
313East Porterville, CACA5,0663,189+1%
314Dinuba, CACA25,9493,199+27%
315American Canyon, CACA22,7733,202+99%
316Menlo Park, CACA32,7133,206+4%
317Monterey, CACA28,9533,217−6%
318Old Fig Garden, CACA5,5033,218
319Yorba Linda, CACA65,6323,219+9%
320Santee, CACA58,2053,230+1%
321Irvine, CACA318,7643,237+48%
322Walnut, CACA27,3163,245−3%
323Mendota, CACA12,7783,246+40%
324Walnut Creek, CACA70,0123,248−0%
325Visalia, CACA146,5413,260+36%
326Ontario, CACA187,0133,280+4%
327Camarillo, CACA68,6523,312+14%
328Oakdale, CACA23,2463,321+33%
329Bay Point, CACA24,2313,322−1%
330Corcoran, CACA22,3583,327+72%
331Colton, CACA53,3833,337+9%
332Fairfax, CACA7,4173,340+2%
333San Luis Obispo, CACA50,6363,350+2%
334East Hemet, CACA20,2573,350+18%
336Fairview, CACA10,7453,363+6%
337Ukiah, CACA16,0683,372+4%
338San Bernardino, CACA222,0443,380+13%
339King City, CACA14,0023,391+16%
340Merced, CACA99,7243,395+24%
341Orosi, CACA8,9663,405
342San Marcos, CACA94,9083,410+52%
343Grand Terrace, CACA12,9363,418+4%
344Richmond, CACA114,8613,452+5%
345San Clemente, CACA62,2263,461+27%
346Brentwood, CACA66,6073,463+121%
347San Rafael, CACA59,4103,479+3%
348Hughson, CACA8,0513,484+67%
349Marysville, CACA12,7383,485−2%
350Winton, CACA11,7973,490+20%
351San Marino, CACA11,9643,491+2%
352Muscoy, CACA12,0253,500+19%
353Antioch, CACA118,9583,509+13%
354El Centro, CACA44,3823,516+13%
355Livingston, CACA14,6903,553+25%
356Rancho Cucamonga, CACA177,8563,553+29%
357Keyes, CACA5,5773,572+22%
358El Rio, CACA6,3683,572+16%
359Pittsburg, CACA77,5423,579+11%
360Newport Beach, CACA81,9773,580+22%
361Union City, CACA65,2823,584+4%
362Waterford, CACA9,2583,586+22%
363Elk Grove, CACA185,0073,592+155%
364San Ramon, CACA86,2093,597+61%
365Los Banos, CACA49,6143,598+39%
366Pinole, CACA18,5433,603−3%
367Windsor, CACA25,8643,604+18%
368Delano, CACA52,3343,604+37%
369Woodland, CACA62,5133,622+13%
370Castro Valley, CACA65,0013,644+7%
371Lompoc, CACA43,3153,651+3%
372Dos Palos, CACA5,6973,669+8%
373La Verne, CACA30,1783,688−2%
374Clovis, CACA129,3473,699+40%
375Sierra Madre, CACA10,6203,699+3%
376Seaside, CACA31,6363,701+4%
377Rancho Santa Margarita, CACA45,7793,702+1%
378Diamond Bar, CACA51,8843,733−1%
379Riverside, CACA323,0573,745+19%
380Rowland Heights, CACA45,9113,747+1%
381Hercules, CACA26,3263,752+23%
382Moreno Valley, CACA214,2633,769+36%
383Solana Beach, CACA12,6023,769−1%
384North Tustin, CACA25,8073,786
385Goleta, CACA32,4013,806−46%
386Vallejo, CACA123,2873,809−1%
387Corona, CACA161,7343,820+22%
389Escondido, CACA146,0303,853+8%
390Cotati, CACA7,3473,877+12%
391Sonoma, CACA10,5373,880+17%
392East Foothills, CACA7,1393,888+2%
393Crescent City, CACA6,0023,894+91%
394Selma, CACA24,7023,908+19%
395Yuba City, CACA69,4853,918+77%
396Sebastopol, CACA7,5323,921−5%
397Bloomington, CACA25,6983,929+23%
398Santa Rosa, CACA179,4373,945+14%
399Redwood City, CACA82,1783,973+2%
400Larkspur, CACA12,6203,977−1%
401Concord, CACA123,2613,993+0%
402Sausalito, CACA7,0194,003−4%
403Arvin, CACA19,8204,006+49%
404San Diego, CACA1,406,1064,009+7%
405Petaluma, CACA59,6884,019+6%
406Carmichael, CACA76,9484,028+24%
407Kerman, CACA17,5534,033+58%
408Lindsay, CACA12,5784,040+14%
409Oceanside, CACA170,4834,049+4%
411Huron, CACA7,3944,066+7%
412Turlock, CACA72,8644,081+23%
414West Modesto, CACA5,9784,114−7%
415Rialto, CACA106,5544,116+8%
416Garden Acres, CACA10,6674,121+9%
417Oildale, CACA34,6874,133+17%
418Exeter, CACA10,1224,170+13%
419Sanger, CACA27,2284,208+28%
420Eastvale, CACA70,5944,233
421Napa, CACA76,5624,262+6%
422Fresno, CACA555,5494,271+16%
423Laguna Niguel, CACA64,1074,274+2%
424Gonzales, CACA8,3134,280+9%
425Atwater, CACA32,1334,289+22%
426Reedley, CACA26,9824,343+17%
427Santa Maria, CACA111,3904,364+29%
428Hollister, CACA45,6954,387+1%
429Los Altos, CACA30,9654,431+5%
430Fontana, CACA221,2234,530+52%
431Santa Barbara, CACA86,4224,536−4%
432Lodi, CACA69,1004,542+9%
433Fillmore, CACA16,9374,542+10%
434Calexico, CACA38,6234,556+42%
435Saranap, CACA5,6624,583
436San Anselmo, CACA12,5554,612−0%
437Lake Forest, CACA86,3334,623+32%
438Stockton, CACA324,5974,623+20%
439Laguna Hills, CACA30,0204,634−3%
440Modesto, CACA219,6524,640+7%
441Ladera Ranch, CACA23,7934,647
442East Pasadena, CACA5,4794,665+2%
443Winter Gardens, CACA22,1314,668+4%
444Farmersville, CACA10,3264,679+21%
445Pleasant Hill, CACA34,0174,686+1%
446Santa Cruz, CACA61,7974,705+10%
447Sacramento, CACA536,4494,729+15%
448Upland, CACA79,4464,731+8%
449Oceano, CACA7,1284,743+0%
450Newman, CACA12,4534,769+44%
451Ceres, CACA48,9824,781+31%
452Azusa, CACA47,4474,799+4%
453Riverbank, CACA26,5574,815+43%
454Laguna Woods, CACA16,8444,845−2%
455Hacienda Heights, CACA54,2914,846+2%
456North Highlands, CACA47,9574,847−3%
457San Buenaventura (Ventura), CACA109,9144,866+5%
458Country Club, CACA10,1614,893−1%
459Carson, CACA90,8084,896+2%
460Chula Vista, CACA275,5334,914+41%
461Port Hueneme, CACA20,9874,920−1%
462Milpitas, CACA78,5964,954+7%
463Vista, CACA98,2745,006+4%
464Stanford, CACA18,6625,021+4%
465Signal Hill, CACA11,1535,032+18%
466Carpinteria, CACA12,7345,039−8%
467Altadena, CACA41,7055,053+0%
468Orange Cove, CACA9,8115,066+18%
469Cupertino, CACA58,3335,141+15%
470Dana Point, CACA32,2325,142−5%
471Arcadia, CACA54,1175,158+6%
472Rosemont, CACA23,7665,170−1%
473Holtville, CACA5,5915,196+6%
474Pacific Grove, CACA14,6595,248−3%
475San Carlos, CACA29,2615,249+2%
476Kensington, CACA5,1795,267+3%
477Mission Viejo, CACA90,4845,283+0%
478Live Oak, CACA16,9115,291+3%
479Santa Paula, CACA31,7745,302+3%
480Orange, CACA138,3655,315+6%
481San Jose, CACA989,8145,316+6%
482Guadalupe, CACA8,8465,405+25%
483Florin, CACA50,2115,469+72%
484Greenfield, CACA21,1385,493+30%
485Belmont, CACA28,7525,580+3%
486Cerritos, CACA46,3675,619−5%
487Rohnert Park, CACA44,8115,623−3%
488La Riviera, CACA11,4925,685+5%
489Grover Beach, CACA12,4565,690+1%
490La Crescenta-Montrose, CACA19,6605,733+6%
491Soledad, CACA26,3575,771+129%
492Parlier, CACA14,6225,795+30%
493Arden-Arcade, CACA94,9945,800−4%
494Whittier, CACA85,8155,825+2%
495Citrus Heights, CACA86,3485,860−2%
496Burbank, CACA102,9885,968+3%
497Pasadena, CACA135,8045,972+2%
498Beverly Hills, CACA30,7645,976+1%
499View Park-Windsor Hills, CACA11,2306,016+1%
500Fullerton, CACA138,6756,029+7%
SHOWING 1–500 OF 642
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UPDATED 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES