CensusEasy
RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 661

Most sparsely populated, California cities · 2020

California cities with the fewest residents per square mile (2020). This list covers the 661 cities in California that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 661 is 3,549.

Flip the list · Most densely populated, US cities →
CaliforniaAll statesPop > 5KAll rankings
SAME RANKING BYCountiesStatesMetros
Most sparsely populated by state
RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS 2000
01Lucerne Valley, CACA5,95750–
02Durham, CACA5,34071+12%
03California City, CACA13,30074+79%
04Mojave, CACA5,17380+22%
05Bear Valley Springs, CACA5,912144+32%
06Oakhurst, CACA6,091178+107%
07Joshua Tree, CACA6,234180+54%
08Acton, CACA7,880189+211%
09Palermo, CACA5,266190−3%
10Wilton, CACA6,433205+31%
11Piñon Hills, CACA7,065226–
12Phelan, CACA18,496231–
13Yosemite Lakes, CACA5,288240+21%
14Salton City, CACA5,988240+427%
15Paradise, CACA10,023260−82%
16Rancho Mission Viejo, CACA11,971274–
17Mammoth Lakes, CACA6,867289+1%
18Happy Valley, CACA5,944293–
19Thousand Palms, CACA7,720337+56%
20Jamul, CACA6,574367+4%
21Valley Center, CACA11,119368+38%
22Oroville East, CACA7,504372−7%
23Lake Mathews, CACA6,527375–
24Oak Hills, CACA9,013385–
25Big Bear City, CACA11,431398+120%
26Rosamond, CACA21,473402+46%
27Prunedale, CACA19,723410+15%
28Topanga, CACA8,885448–
29Woodside, CACA5,181463−1%
30Palm Springs, CACA45,315471+4%
32Twentynine Palms, CACA25,939478+90%
33Rancho Murieta, CACA5,875497+41%
34Shafter, CACA23,871516+57%
35Truckee, CACA17,278517+21%
36Malibu, CACA9,574537−15%
37Yucca Valley, CACA21,887546+29%
38Alpine, CACA15,180549+12%
39Magalia, CACA7,389556−26%
40Ramona, CACA22,634559+37%
41Taft, CACA6,995560+34%
42Rancho Calaveras, CACA7,131560+34%
43Thermalito, CACA6,720567+19%
44San Martin, CACA6,954604+66%
45Bonadelle Ranchos, CACA5,465610–
46Barstow, CACA24,804615+20%
48Hidden Valley Lake, CACA5,872635+65%
49Rosedale, CACA18,877637+121%
50Rancho Mirage, CACA17,876672+28%
51Calimesa, CACA11,111673+40%
52Cambria, CACA5,978675−9%
53Diamond Springs, CACA10,927682+132%
54Plumas Lake, CACA9,418686–
55Blythe, CACA15,042691+51%
56Lake Arrowhead, CACA10,639701+39%
57Avenal, CACA13,479703−7%
58Adelanto, CACA38,798720+110%
59McSwain, CACA5,783743–
60Interlaken, CACA8,068752+1%
61Ben Lomond, CACA6,858757+168%
62McKinleyville, CACA17,113779+20%
63Yreka, CACA7,714782+7%
64Wrightwood, CACA5,067793+23%
65Big Bear Lake, CACA5,018809−7%
66Cherry Valley, CACA6,668813+10%
67Pollock Pines, CACA6,212825+50%
68Crestline, CACA9,835838+14%
69Good Hope, CACA8,816843–
71Golden Hills, CACA9,891878+29%
73Garnet, CACA7,382904–
74La Habra Heights, CACA5,327923−1%
75Los Altos Hills, CACA8,419936+7%
76Montecito, CACA9,031941−14%
77Loomis, CACA7,004941+9%
78Shasta Lake, CACA10,208952+15%
79Apple Valley, CACA75,247984+40%
80Granite Bay, CACA21,673986+10%
81Nuevo, CACA6,803995+63%
82Aptos, CACA6,4041,013−29%
83Mead Valley, CACA19,2861,038–
84El Dorado Hills, CACA51,0261,043+181%
85Templeton, CACA9,5801,060+79%
86La Quinta, CACA39,4401,064+59%
87Desert Hot Springs, CACA34,0091,079+96%
88Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CACA6,4731,092−2%
89St. Helena, CACA5,1941,096−9%
90El Granada, CACA5,2321,116−4%
91Williams, CACA5,5291,120+51%
92Ione, CACA9,2821,122−28%
93Los Osos, CACA14,1661,133–
94Atascadero, CACA29,4641,142+13%
95Sun, CACA11,0361,143–
96Eucalyptus Hills, CACA5,8401,160–
97Fort Irwin, CACA8,4191,162–
98Mecca, CACA7,1841,188+52%
99Nipomo, CACA17,5161,206+44%
100Silver Lakes, CACA6,9771,207–
101Poway, CACA49,1801,250+2%
102Tehachapi, CACA11,8521,262+18%
103Banning, CACA31,8521,270+25%
104Madera Acres, CACA9,8461,279+18%
105Hilmar-Irwin, CACA6,1321,315+7%
106Ridgecrest, CACA28,3331,340+12%
107Woodcrest, CACA17,3681,348+84%
108Lake Los Angeles, CACA13,0511,354+14%
109Temescal Valley, CACA30,0691,357–
110Hesperia, CACA102,6051,373+59%
111Mira Monte, CACA6,8881,374−8%
112Vandenberg, CACA6,7761,387+26%
113Jackson, CACA5,1001,401+26%
114Coachella, CACA45,4111,402+85%
115Lakeland, CACA12,2361,410+120%
116Atherton, CACA6,9601,4330%
117Oroville, CACA20,4511,442+54%
118Lathrop, CACA42,7831,448+175%
119Colusa, CACA6,5191,470+19%
120Rio Vista, CACA10,5231,516+119%
121Orinda, CACA19,5071,518+11%
122Westlake, CACA7,5051,548−4%
123Lemoore Station, CACA6,1751,551+14%
124Wildomar, CACA37,8891,553+162%
125Alamo, CACA14,4881,560−2%
126Mentone, CACA9,5141,564+22%
127Redding, CACA94,0921,574+16%
129Homeland, CACA7,5841,586+83%
130Palmdale, CACA161,8451,598+45%
131Larkfield-Wikiup, CACA8,7651,600+14%
132Rio Linda, CACA16,3351,606+52%
133Anderson, CACA11,1311,610+26%
134Lakeport, CACA5,0591,644+4%
135Clearlake, CACA16,8931,647+27%
136Blackhawk, CACA10,1371,669–
137Cameron Park, CACA18,3151,682+30%
138Lafayette, CACA25,3131,690+6%
139Calabasas, CACA22,0271,695+16%
140Lake of the Pines, CACA5,4611,702+9%
141Chowchilla, CACA18,7301,717+71%
142North Auburn, CACA13,4801,727+14%
143Eastern Goleta Valley, CACA28,2951,728–
144Beaumont, CACA60,8351,749+366%
145Calipatria, CACA6,0121,749−11%
146Ojai, CACA7,4741,753−3%
147Chino Hills, CACA77,5191,756+17%
148Goshen, CACA5,1361,764+108%
149Moraga, CACA16,3221,783–
150Camp Pendleton South, CACA15,7661,797+41%
151Oak View, CACA6,1411,825+48%
152Victorville, CACA141,3951,829+111%
153Lake Elsinore, CACA75,0671,836+143%
154Fallbrook, CACA32,1121,840+11%
155Placerville, CACA10,6851,840+12%
156Lancaster, CACA170,0841,840+46%
157Hillsborough, CACA11,2061,847+5%
158Coto de Caza, CACA15,1901,886+13%
159Half Moon Bay, CACA11,2871,8900%
160Commerce, CACA11,6881,894−2%
161Norco, CACA25,0811,899+9%
162Palm Desert, CACA53,2591,911+24%
163Auburn, CACA13,8471,919+11%
164Yucaipa, CACA54,9531,930+32%
166El Cerrito, CACA5,3251,944+10%
167Novato, CACA51,9471,945+12%
168Red Bluff, CACA14,4041,946+12%
169Olivehurst, CACA18,4441,972+50%
170Arcata, CACA19,0472,003+13%
171Morro Bay, CACA10,6132,015+4%
172Redlands, CACA74,1282,032+15%
173Tiburon, CACA8,8812,037+6%
174Lincoln, CACA57,3672,059+344%
175San Jacinto, CACA56,0142,083+127%
176Susanville, CACA12,8162,113+24%
177Benicia, CACA26,4012,117+1%
178South Lake Tahoe, CACA21,1152,119−10%
179Santa Fe Springs, CACA18,7932,170+10%
180Soquel, CACA10,6792,171+96%
181Menifee, CACA118,5922,207–
182Willows, CACA6,1162,219+1%
183Seal Beach, CACA24,0752,233+4%
184McFarland, CACA14,7092,233+47%
185Ladera Heights, CACA7,3342,244+1%
186Kentfield, CACA6,9002,249+7%
187Cathedral City, CACA52,3752,291+21%
188Rancho Cordova, CACA87,5542,295+44%
189Thousand Oaks, CACA122,2302,298+9%
190Firebaugh, CACA8,7742,302+41%
191Pismo Beach, CACA7,9112,308−6%
192Rolling Hills Estates, CACA7,9482,315+8%
193San Dimas, CACA32,9782,3230%
194Corning, CACA8,2602,324+22%
195Myrtletown, CACA5,3222,328+9%
196Highgrove, CACA8,3662,336+118%
197Grass Valley, CACA14,0352,338+28%
198Vineyard, CACA43,7512,343+335%
199Valle Vista, CACA18,6022,348+54%
201Fortuna, CACA12,0032,383+19%
202La Cañada Flintridge, CACA19,4802,384+1%
203Danville, CACA43,3022,411+4%
204Fort Bragg, CACA6,9462,417−1%
205Winters, CACA8,2142,424+16%
206Saratoga, CACA30,4182,430+4%
207San Juan Capistrano, CACA35,1192,439+4%
208Jurupa Valley, CACA107,3112,447–
210Perris, CACA83,2372,493+117%
211Desert Palms, CACA6,5792,499–
212Fowler, CACA7,7452,506+68%
213Marina, CACA23,2562,509−11%
214West Sacramento, CACA56,2162,511+71%
215Rancho San Diego, CACA21,2722,514+8%
216Linda, CACA23,8712,522+61%
217Solvang, CACA5,9442,526+15%
218Healdsburg, CACA11,1722,566+6%
219Coalinga, CACA17,2812,569+51%
220Bonita, CACA12,6522,575+4%
221Rodeo, CACA8,9762,576+11%
222Coronado, CACA21,0942,587−16%
223Laguna Beach, CACA22,3912,589−3%
224Agoura Hills, CACA19,2432,604−1%
225Woodlake, CACA8,0732,604+12%
226Castaic, CACA17,9992,608–
227East Porterville, CACA5,0662,615−18%
228Oak Park, CACA13,7572,625+499%
229Earlimart, CACA7,2142,645+17%
230Scotts Valley, CACA11,6522,647+7%
231Dixon, CACA21,1162,674+18%
232Cloverdale, CACA8,7012,675+32%
233Bakersfield, CACA422,1652,685+63%
234Indio, CACA94,2692,686+81%
235Glendora, CACA49,6712,694+6%
236Oakley, CACA47,5832,733+69%
237Discovery Bay, CACA14,9112,746+71%
238Orland, CACA8,3812,768+32%
239Eureka, CACA25,3042,771+1%
240Monrovia, CACA38,2642,782+3%
241Bermuda Dunes, CACA7,9712,795+32%
242Palos Verdes Estates, CACA12,5592,7950%
243Claremont, CACA35,8382,795+10%
244Villa Park, CACA5,6452,813−3%
245Loma Linda, CACA25,2212,837+33%
246Canyon Lake, CACA11,1132,850+11%
247Palo Alto, CACA67,6092,851+17%
248Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CACA19,7652,857+4%
249Wasco, CACA26,5252,881+27%
250Fairfield, CACA122,4892,883+25%
251Clayton, CACA10,8422,883+3%
252Folsom, CACA91,9832,886+55%
253Los Gatos, CACA32,5762,902+17%
254Live Oak, CACA9,4662,918+46%
255Lamont, CACA13,1642,929+6%
256Los Alamitos, CACA11,7022,939+2%
257Chico, CACA105,0812,940+69%
258Martinez, CACA36,8492,949+4%
259Gold River, CACA7,9242,951−2%
260Fremont, CACA226,4422,951+13%
261Moorpark, CACA35,0232,955+15%
262Temecula, CACA114,8652,959+91%
263Orcutt, CACA31,4542,960+11%
264Mill Valley, CACA13,7992,976+5%
265Fair Oaks, CACA32,7992,990+16%
266Lemoore, CACA27,2912,991+37%
267Corcoran, CACA22,3582,995+55%
268Ripon, CACA16,1403,007+58%
269Carlsbad, CACA112,2603,035+47%
270Delhi, CACA11,0093,036+33%
271Simi Valley, CACA124,8613,042+13%
272Rio del Mar, CACA9,2013,043−1%
273Quartz Hill, CACA11,5103,043+16%
275Patterson, CACA26,5873,054+105%
276Highland, CACA57,6143,069+28%
277Hemet, CACA93,6493,070+53%
278Pacifica, CACA36,8903,071+1%
279Chino, CACA96,9573,091+36%
280Arroyo Grande, CACA18,1233,105+16%
281Orangevale, CACA35,9583,106+33%
282Santa Clarita, CACA228,4303,106+51%
283Rancho Palos Verdes, CACA39,6543,139+3%
284Stevenson Ranch, CACA20,9903,161–
285Walnut, CACA27,3163,163−5%
286El Segundo, CACA16,3793,170+8%
287Spring Valley Lake, CACA9,4833,174–
288East Foothills, CACA7,1393,198−16%
289Imperial, CACA22,3303,213+168%
290Orosi, CACA8,9663,233–
291Corte Madera, CACA9,9293,235+12%
292Hanford, CACA62,2293,237+39%
293Duarte, CACA22,8663,238+1%
294Galt, CACA26,9643,243+30%
295French Valley, CACA45,2693,245–
296Gustine, CACA6,1123,250+30%
297Encinitas, CACA60,7363,254+7%
298Buellton, CACA5,1583,262+35%
299Brawley, CACA28,0083,266+20%
300Escalon, CACA7,3943,280+25%
301Old Fig Garden, CACA5,5033,286–
302Murrieta, CACA114,1243,308+151%
303Pleasanton, CACA74,5563,309+25%
304Livermore, CACA83,4573,310+20%
305San Marino, CACA11,9643,323−3%
306Kingsburg, CACA13,2493,324+35%
307Tulare, CACA73,9073,331+57%
308Porterville, CACA63,0883,333+58%
309Roseville, CACA167,3023,352+85%
310Madera, CACA69,0173,360+53%
311Menlo Park, CACA32,7133,381+10%
312Crescent City, CACA6,0023,399+67%
313Fairfax, CACA7,4173,413+4%
314Newark, CACA47,8953,415+12%
316Yorba Linda, CACA65,6323,425+16%
317Vacaville, CACA103,8503,428+16%
318Colton, CACA53,3833,450+13%
319Ukiah, CACA16,0683,484+7%
320El Rio, CACA6,3683,492+14%
321San Luis Obispo, CACA50,6363,494+7%
322Delano, CACA52,3343,495+32%
323Monterey, CACA28,9533,495+2%
324San Clemente, CACA62,2263,503+29%
325Ontario, CACA187,0133,506+11%
326King City, CACA14,0023,511+20%
327Morgan Hill, CACA45,6253,515+36%
328Muscoy, CACA12,0253,525+20%
329Tracy, CACA101,9013,531+63%
330Windsor, CACA25,8643,543+16%
331Walnut Creek, CACA70,0123,549+9%
332Gridley, CACA7,2583,556+38%
333Hayward, CACA157,1133,557+16%
334San Bernardino, CACA222,0443,577+20%
335Newport Beach, CACA81,9773,582+22%
336Camarillo, CACA68,6523,593+24%
337American Canyon, CACA22,7733,594+123%
338Gilroy, CACA60,7643,599+44%
339Rocklin, CACA76,8213,614+97%
340Union City, CACA65,2823,616+5%
341Keyes, CACA5,5773,617+24%
342Seaside, CACA31,6363,627+2%
343Santee, CACA58,2053,630+13%
344El Centro, CACA44,3823,658+17%
345Dinuba, CACA25,9493,662+46%
346Rowland Heights, CACA45,9113,688−1%
347San Rafael, CACA59,4103,694+9%
348Diamond Bar, CACA51,8843,702−2%
349Visalia, CACA146,5413,704+54%
350Marysville, CACA12,7383,708+5%
351Rancho Santa Margarita, CACA45,7793,709+2%
352Mendota, CACA12,7783,712+60%
353Merced, CACA99,7243,713+35%
354Bay Point, CACA24,2313,719+11%
355La Verne, CACA30,1783,720−1%
356Oakdale, CACA23,2463,724+50%
357Pinole, CACA18,5433,7270%
358Grand Terrace, CACA12,9363,733+13%
359Huron, CACA7,3943,736−2%
360East Hemet, CACA20,2573,738+31%
361Brea, CACA47,2603,742+34%
362Rancho Cucamonga, CACA177,8563,751+37%
363Solana Beach, CACA12,6023,7910%
364Fairview, CACA10,7453,813+20%
365Sierra Madre, CACA10,6203,818+7%
366Lompoc, CACA43,3153,824+8%
367Winton, CACA11,7973,850+33%
368Livingston, CACA14,6903,856+35%
369San Marcos, CACA94,9083,860+72%
370Waterford, CACA9,2583,868+32%
371Richmond, CACA114,8613,876+17%
372Camino Tassajara, CACA5,8313,880–
373Riverside, CACA323,0573,882+23%
374Manteca, CACA96,6933,898+70%
375North Tustin, CACA25,8073,908–
376Sonoma, CACA10,5373,914+18%
377Hughson, CACA8,0513,925+88%
378Corona, CACA161,7343,939+26%
379Castro Valley, CACA65,0013,944+16%
380Antioch, CACA118,9583,952+27%
381Woodland, CACA62,5133,985+24%
382Sebastopol, CACA7,5323,996−3%
383Bloomington, CACA25,6984,009+26%
384Escondido, CACA146,0304,044+13%
385Arvin, CACA19,8204,045+50%
386Cotati, CACA7,3474,047+17%
387Hercules, CACA26,3264,057+33%
388Moreno Valley, CACA214,2634,066+47%
390Concord, CACA123,2614,103+3%
391Sausalito, CACA7,0194,121−1%
392Elk Grove, CACA185,0074,134+194%
393Vallejo, CACA123,2874,143+8%
394Petaluma, CACA59,6884,147+10%
395Selma, CACA24,7024,153+27%
396Goleta, CACA32,4014,163−41%
397Exeter, CACA10,1224,165+13%
398Santa Rosa, CACA179,4374,188+21%
399San Ramon, CACA86,2094,218+89%
400Oceanside, CACA170,4834,218+8%
402Yuba City, CACA69,4854,232+91%
403San Diego, CACA1,406,1064,253+13%
404Dos Palos, CACA5,6974,298+27%
405Rialto, CACA106,5544,318+13%
406West Modesto, CACA5,9784,319−2%
407Pittsburg, CACA77,5424,323+35%
408Brentwood, CACA66,6074,325+176%
409Turlock, CACA72,8644,331+30%
410Lindsay, CACA12,5784,346+23%
411Larkspur, CACA12,6204,356+9%
412Redwood City, CACA82,1784,359+12%
413Laguna Niguel, CACA64,1074,367+4%
414Napa, CACA76,5624,391+9%
415Garden Acres, CACA10,6674,411+17%
416Gonzales, CACA8,3134,520+15%
417Reedley, CACA26,9824,528+22%
418Santa Barbara, CACA86,4224,549−4%
419Los Banos, CACA49,6144,555+76%
420Calexico, CACA38,6234,563+43%
421Oildale, CACA34,6874,569+30%
422East Pasadena, CACA5,4794,5720%
423Farmersville, CACA10,3264,594+19%
424Sanger, CACA27,2284,615+41%
425Clovis, CACA129,3474,647+75%
426Oceano, CACA7,1284,676−1%
427Fresno, CACA555,5494,681+27%
428Irvine, CACA318,7644,689+115%
429Dublin, CACA71,6024,766+142%
430Kerman, CACA17,5534,770+87%
431Laguna Hills, CACA30,0204,791+1%
432San Anselmo, CACA12,5554,796+4%
433Heber, CACA7,3124,802+131%
434Santa Maria, CACA111,3904,810+42%
435Fontana, CACA221,2234,815+62%
436Los Altos, CACA30,9654,836+14%
437Lodi, CACA69,1004,850+16%
438Hacienda Heights, CACA54,2914,859+2%
439Atwater, CACA32,1334,868+38%
440Pleasant Hill, CACA34,0174,892+5%
441Holtville, CACA5,5914,9040%
443Santa Cruz, CACA61,7974,942+15%
444Fillmore, CACA16,9374,971+20%
445Port Hueneme, CACA20,9874,9730%
447Modesto, CACA219,6525,039+16%
448Altadena, CACA41,7055,062+1%
449Winter Gardens, CACA22,1315,063+13%
450San Buenaventura (Ventura), CACA109,9145,064+10%
451Upland, CACA79,4465,072+16%
452Stockton, CACA324,5975,084+32%
453Carson, CACA90,8085,102+6%
454Dana Point, CACA32,2325,104−6%
455Carpinteria, CACA12,7345,125−7%
456Saranap, CACA5,6625,137–
457Lake Forest, CACA86,3335,137+46%
458Azusa, CACA47,4475,175+12%
459Arcadia, CACA54,1175,187+7%
460Ceres, CACA48,9825,190+42%
461East Niles, CACA28,5325,202–
462Carmichael, CACA76,9485,204+60%
463Hollister, CACA45,6955,235+21%
464Vista, CACA98,2745,248+9%
465Live Oak, CACA16,9115,254+2%
466Pacific Grove, CACA14,6595,265−3%
467Riverbank, CACA26,5575,279+57%
468Laguna Woods, CACA16,8445,279+7%
469Ladera Ranch, CACA23,7935,292–
470Mission Viejo, CACA90,4845,303+1%
471Sacramento, CACA536,4495,321+29%
472Cupertino, CACA58,3335,325+19%
473Rosemont, CACA23,7665,359+3%
474Mountain House, CACA25,3155,375–
475Orange Cove, CACA9,8115,384+25%
476Signal Hill, CACA11,1535,413+27%
477Orange, CACA138,3655,451+9%
478Grover Beach, CACA12,4565,494−3%
479Eastvale, CACA70,5945,502–
480Santa Paula, CACA31,7745,544+7%
481Chula Vista, CACA275,5335,550+59%
483Soledad, CACA26,3575,589+121%
484North Highlands, CACA47,9575,600+12%
485Country Club, CACA10,1615,622+14%
486Kensington, CACA5,1795,631+10%
487San Carlos, CACA29,2615,677+11%
488Cerritos, CACA46,3675,681−4%
489San Jose, CACA989,8145,694+13%
490Beverly Hills, CACA30,7645,729−3%
491Newman, CACA12,4535,761+74%
492Parlier, CACA14,6225,828+31%
493La Crescenta-Montrose, CACA19,6605,833+8%
494Boyes Hot Springs, CACA7,2475,863−7%
495Avocado Heights, CACA12,5935,916−12%
496La Riviera, CACA11,4925,922+10%
497Milpitas, CACA78,5965,955+28%
498Arden-Arcade, CACA94,9945,955−1%
499Whittier, CACA85,8155,960+4%
500Florin, CACA50,2116,031+89%
SHOWING 1–500 OF 661

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