CensusEasy
RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 661

Most sparsely populated, California cities · 2020

California cities with the fewest residents per square mile (2023). This list covers the 661 cities in California that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

Flip the list · Most densely populated, US cities
CaliforniaAll statesPop > 5KAll rankings
SAME RANKING BYCountiesStatesMetros
RELATEDLargest by populationFastest growingFastest shrinkingMost densely populatedBest broadband accessWorst broadband access
YEAR19902000201020202025
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, CACA6,9601,433−0%
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, CACA11,2871,890−0%
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, CACA32,9782,323−0%
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, CACA12,5592,795+0%
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, CACA18,5433,727−0%
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, CACA12,6023,791−0%
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, CACA5,4794,572−0%
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, CACA5,5914,904−0%
443Santa Cruz, CACA61,7974,942+15%
444Fillmore, CACA16,9374,971+20%
445Port Hueneme, CACA20,9874,973+0%
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
12
Download CSV (full list, 661 rows)

UPDATED 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES