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STATE · ADMITTED 1850 · 2020 ACS

California

39,538,223 residents · 58 counties · 1618 cities · 9,129 census tracts
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The short version

California is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $78,672. Population has grown 17% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $538,500.

CA
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
39,538,223
+17%since 2000
from 33,871,648 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
254 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 217 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.5
+13%since 2000
from 33.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
28.8M31.7M34.6M37.6M40.5M1990201020202024California
202439.3M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,672
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,493 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,576
+70%since 2000
from $22,711 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
52.0%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$538,500
+80%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $198,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,586
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $747 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
54.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 56.9% in 2000
45.5% rent
Afford Score
6.8
+63%since 2000
from 4.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in California on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic46.7%(15,816,790)
Black6.4%(2,181,926)
Hispanic / Latino32.4%(10,966,556)
Asian10.8%(3,648,860)
Other0%
Diversity Score79.3%(26,874,977)
2020
White, non-Hispanic34.7%(13,714,587)
Black5.4%(2,119,286)
Hispanic / Latino39.4%(15,579,652)
Asian15.1%(5,978,795)
Other4.4%(1,721,966)
Diversity Score86.3%(34,110,100)
Diversity Score
86
+9%since 2000
from 79 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.7%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.9%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.8 min
+52%since 2000
from 19.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 73.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.3%
−23.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
50.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
26.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.2%
−75.0 ptssince 2013
from 82.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Section 02

Largest cities

1.Los Angeles3,869,089
2.San Diego1,406,106
3.San Jose989,814
4.San Francisco826,079
5.Fresno555,549
6.Sacramento536,449
7.Long Beach450,469
8.Oakland440,838
9.Bakersfield422,165
10.Anaheim341,008
11.Stockton324,597
12.Riverside323,057
Frequently asked

How many people live in California?

California has about 39,538,223 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in California?

The typical household in California earns about $78,672 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is California expensive?

In California, the median home is worth about $538,500, and the typical rent is about $1,586 a month.

How educated are people in California?

About 34.7% of adults age 25 and over in California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in California?

About 12.6% of people in California live below the federal poverty line.

Has California grown since 1990?

Yes, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,778,202 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

Largest cities
Los AngelesSan DiegoSan JoseSan FranciscoFresnoSacramentoLong BeachOakland
All 58 counties
Los Angeles CountySan Diego CountyOrange CountyRiverside CountySan Bernardino CountySanta Clara CountyAlameda CountySacramento CountyContra Costa CountyFresno CountyKern CountyVentura CountySan Francisco CountySan Joaquin CountySan Mateo CountyStanislaus CountySonoma CountyTulare CountySolano CountyPlacer CountySanta Barbara CountyMonterey CountyMerced CountySan Luis Obispo CountySanta Cruz CountyMarin CountyYolo CountyButte CountyEl Dorado CountyShasta CountyImperial CountyMadera CountyKings CountyNapa CountyHumboldt CountyNevada CountySutter CountyYuba CountyMendocino CountySan Benito CountyLake CountyTehama CountyTuolumne CountyCalaveras CountySiskiyou CountyAmador CountyGlenn CountyLassen CountyDel Norte CountyColusa CountyPlumas CountyInyo CountyMariposa CountyTrinity CountyMono CountyModoc CountySierra CountyAlpine County
Metro areas
Los AngelesRiversideSan FranciscoSan DiegoSacramentoSan JoseFresnoBakersfieldOxnardStocktonModestoSanta Rosa
Rankings
Highest income cities in CaliforniaFastest growing citiesAll US state rankings

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

California (2020): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy