Poverty in California
What is the poverty rate in California?
The poverty rate in California is 15.1%. One out of every 6.6 residents of California lives in poverty.
How many people in California live in poverty?
5,773,408 of 38,242,946 residents reported income levels below the poverty line in the last year.
How does the Poverty Rate in California compare to the national average?
California ranks 34th in Poverty Rate at 15.1%(poverty rankings by state).The Poverty Rate of California is slightly higher than the national average of 14.6%.
California Poverty Rate County Map
California Poverty Rate By Sex
What is the poverty rate for men vs women living in California?
Male
The Poverty Rate for men who live in California is 14.0%.
Female
The Poverty Rate for women who live in California is 16.2%.
Poverty Rate Disparity for Male vs Female Residents of California
Female residents of California are moderately(15%) more likely to live in poverty than males.
2,644,246 of 18,897,272 males in California live below the poverty line.
3,129,162 of 19,345,674 females in California live below the poverty line.
California Poverty Rate By Age
What's the Poverty Rate in California By Age?
Breakdown of California Poverty Rate By Age
- Children Under 6 in California have a Poverty Rate of 21.6%.
- Children 6 to 11 Years Old in California have a Poverty Rate of 21.3%.
- Adolescents 12 to 17 Years Old in California have a Poverty Rate of 19.5%.
- Adults 18 to 59 Years Old in California have a Poverty Rate of 14.3%.
- Adults 60 to 74 Years Old in California have a Poverty Rate of 10.2%.
- 75 to 84 Years Old in California have a Poverty Rate of 11.1%.
- Over 85 Years Old in California have a Poverty Rate of 12.4%.
Historical California Poverty Rate
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY % Change | National |
|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
15.8% | 15.3% | |
2011 |
16.6% | 4.0% | 15.9% |
2012 |
17.0% | 2.0% | 15.9% |
2013 |
16.8% | 0.0% | 15.8% |
2014 |
16.4% | 2.0% | 15.5% |
2015 |
15.3% | 7.0% | 14.7% |
2016 |
14.3% | 6.0% | 14.0% |
2017 |
13.3% | 7.0% | 13.4% |
California Poverty Rate By Race
| Race | Population | Poverty Rate | National Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black |
2,165,637 |
23.2% | 25.2% | 5.6% |
American Indian |
283,596 |
21.9% | 26.8% | 0.7% |
Asian |
5,424,139 |
11.2% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
Pacific Islander |
148,186 |
14.5% | 19.0% | 0.4% |
Other |
5,235,273 |
21.8% | 23.8% | 13.4% |
Two Or More Races |
1,788,335 |
14.3% | 18.4% | 4.6% |
White |
14,509,308 |
9.9% | 10.3% | 37.2% |
Hispanic |
14,847,071 |
20.6% | 22.2% | 38.1% |
What's the Poverty Rate in California By Race?
23.2% of Black residents of California live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of black residents in California is dramatically lower than the national average of 25.2%. 502,610 of 2,165,637 black Californians live below the poverty line. Approximately 5.6% of the total population of California are black.
11.2% of Asian residents of California live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of asian residents in California is the same as than the national average. 607,792 of 5,424,139 asian Californians live below the poverty line. Approximately 13.9% of the total population of California are asian.
9.9% of White residents of California live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of white residents in California is the same as than the national average. 1,430,733 of 14,509,308 white Californians live below the poverty line. Approximately 37.2% of the total population of California are white.
20.6% of Hispanic residents of California live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of hispanic residents in California is the same as than the national average. 3,052,999 of 14,847,071 hispanic Californians live below the poverty line. Approximately 38.1% of the total population of California are hispanic.
California Poverty Rate By School Enrollment
Understanding where poverty hits hardest in California can be better understood by segmenting poverty by whether or not the resident is in school or not.
- Enrolled in School in California have a Poverty Rate of 20.5%.
- Not Enrolled in School in California have a Poverty Rate of 12.7%.
The Poverty Rate of California residents enrolled in school is slightly higher than the national average of 20.1%. This translates to 2,090,037 of 10,188,198 Californians enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 26.1% of the total population of California are currently enrolled in school.
The Poverty Rate of California residents not enrolled in school is slightly higher than the national average of 12.2%. This translates to 3,374,151 of 26,620,308 Californians not enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 68.3% of the total population of California are currently not enrolled in school.
Poverty for younger ages in California is seen as the most undesirable for the future of the community.
- Enrolled in Nursery School in California have a Poverty Rate of 17.3%.
- Enrolled in Elementary School(Grades 1-4) in California have a Poverty Rate of 21.7%.
The Poverty Rate of California residents enrolled in nursery school is slightly lower than the national average of 18.0%. This translates to 102,150 of 590,260 Californians enrolled in nursery school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 1.5% of the total population of California are currently enrolled in nursery school.
The Poverty Rate of California residents enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) is slightly higher than the national average of 21.2%. This translates to 420,479 of 1,937,257 Californians enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.0% of the total population of California are currently enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4).
Poverty for developing children and young adults in California can have drastic impacts on graduation and college attendance rates.
- Enrolled in Middle School(Grade 5-8) in California have a Poverty Rate of 20.2%.
- Enrolled in High School (Grades 9-12) in California have a Poverty Rate of 19.9%.
The Poverty Rate of California residents enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) is slightly higher than the national average of 19.0%. This translates to 403,563 of 2,002,063 Californians enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.1% of the total population of California are currently enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8).
The Poverty Rate of California residents enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) is moderately higher than the national average of 17.7%. This translates to 426,998 of 2,142,264 Californians enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.5% of the total population of California are currently enrolled in high school (grades 9-12).
Adult students in college, graduate or professional schools generally bring employers, revenue and higher living wages post-graduation and are seen as a positive to the community.
- Enrolled in Undergraduate School in California have a Poverty Rate of 21.6%.
- Enrolled in Graduate or Professional School in California have a Poverty Rate of 17.0%.
The Poverty Rate of California residents enrolled in undergraduate school is slightly lower than the national average of 23.4%. This translates to 538,865 of 2,493,392 Californians enrolled in undergraduate school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 6.4% of the total population of California are currently enrolled in undergraduate school.
The Poverty Rate of California residents enrolled in graduate or professional school is the same as than the national average of 17.2%. This translates to 86,300 of 507,130 Californians enrolled in graduate or professional school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 1.3% of the total population of California is currently enrolled in graduate or professional school.
California Poverty Rate By Place of Birth
What is the poverty rate for residents of California born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born?
14.5%
The Poverty Rate for residents of California who were born citizens of the United States is 14.5%.
16.7%
The Poverty Rate for residents of California who were born citizens of a country other than the US is 16.7%.
Poverty Rate for residents of California born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born
Foreign-born residents of California have a higher poverty rate than those who were born US citizens.
Of the 27,825,285 residents of California who were born citizens of the United States, 4,032,324 (14.5%) had income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
Conversely, 1,741,084 (16.7%) of 10,417,661 residents of California who were born citizens of a country other than the US reported income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
California Poverty Rate By City
| City | Rank | Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
Alhambra |
598th |
15.1% | 85,168 |
Anaheim |
632nd |
16.0% | 349,007 |
Antioch |
581st |
14.6% | 110,026 |
Arden-Arcade |
798th |
22.0% | 98,616 |
Bakersfield |
738th |
19.2% | 372,680 |
Berkeley |
749th |
19.8% | 120,179 |
Buena Park |
610th |
15.4% | 83,020 |
Burbank |
444th |
11.3% | 104,765 |
Carlsbad |
207th |
6.6% | 113,147 |
Carson |
413th |
10.6% | 92,927 |
Chico |
846th |
24.6% | 90,660 |
Chino |
464th |
11.7% | 85,609 |
Chula Vista |
491st |
12.3% | 264,101 |
Citrus Heights |
527th |
13.2% | 86,618 |
Clovis |
506th |
12.7% | 104,411 |
Compton |
822nd |
23.0% | 97,847 |
Concord |
440th |
11.2% | 128,160 |
Corona |
456th |
11.6% | 163,585 |
Costa Mesa |
546th |
13.8% | 112,930 |
Daly City |
332nd |
8.9% | 106,480 |
Downey |
417th |
10.7% | 113,358 |
East Los Angeles |
807th |
22.4% | 123,905 |
El Cajon |
820th |
23.0% | 103,314 |
El Monte |
811th |
22.6% | 115,958 |
Elk Grove |
345th |
9.0% | 166,228 |
Escondido |
642nd |
16.3% | 150,783 |
Fairfield |
415th |
10.6% | 112,790 |
Fontana |
569th |
14.3% | 207,086 |
Fremont |
129th |
4.9% | 230,964 |
Fresno |
898th |
28.4% | 519,037 |
Fullerton |
593rd |
14.9% | 139,976 |
Garden Grove |
625th |
15.8% | 174,812 |
Glendale |
619th |
15.6% | 199,750 |
Hawthorne |
663rd |
17.0% | 87,425 |
Hayward |
410th |
10.5% | 156,917 |
Hemet |
825th |
23.2% | 83,604 |
Hesperia |
810th |
22.5% | 93,190 |
Huntington Beach |
339th |
8.9% | 200,415 |
Indio |
694th |
18.1% | 86,867 |
Inglewood |
757th |
20.1% | 111,006 |
Irvine |
523rd |
13.2% | 256,877 |
Lancaster |
827th |
23.3% | 160,113 |
Livermore |
127th |
4.8% | 88,232 |
Long Beach |
735th |
19.1% | 470,489 |
Los Angeles |
765th |
20.4% | 3,949,776 |
Menifee |
403rd |
10.4% | 86,820 |
Mission Viejo |
133rd |
4.9% | 96,535 |
Modesto |
664th |
17.0% | 210,166 |
Moreno Valley |
658th |
16.8% | 203,691 |
Murrieta |
334th |
8.9% | 110,043 |
Newport Beach |
184th |
6.2% | 86,793 |
Norwalk |
555th |
13.9% | 106,404 |
Oakland |
721st |
18.7% | 417,442 |
Oceanside |
516th |
12.9% | 174,811 |
Ontario |
641st |
16.2% | 171,041 |
Orange |
499th |
12.5% | 140,289 |
Oxnard |
621st |
15.6% | 206,732 |
Palmdale |
713th |
18.6% | 157,358 |
Pasadena |
616th |
15.5% | 141,231 |
Pomona |
772nd |
20.7% | 152,366 |
Rancho Cucamonga |
307th |
8.4% | 174,573 |
Redding |
727th |
18.9% | 91,236 |
Redwood City |
356th |
9.2% | 84,368 |
Rialto |
686th |
17.9% | 102,708 |
Richmond |
624th |
15.7% | 108,853 |
Riverside |
649th |
16.6% | 321,570 |
Roseville |
333rd |
8.9% | 130,705 |
Sacramento |
747th |
19.8% | 489,650 |
Salinas |
668th |
17.2% | 156,811 |
San Bernardino |
926th |
30.6% | 215,252 |
San Buenaventura (Ventura) |
441st |
11.2% | 110,153 |
San Diego |
577th |
14.5% | 1,390,966 |
San Francisco |
460th |
11.7% | 864,263 |
San Jose |
386th |
10.0% | 1,023,031 |
San Leandro |
438th |
11.1% | 89,910 |
San Marcos |
489th |
12.3% | 93,493 |
San Mateo |
285th |
8.0% | 103,500 |
Santa Ana |
743rd |
19.5% | 334,493 |
Santa Barbara |
545th |
13.7% | 91,443 |
Santa Clara |
272nd |
7.7% | 124,635 |
Santa Clarita |
325th |
8.8% | 209,489 |
Santa Maria |
714th |
18.6% | 104,791 |
Santa Monica |
419th |
10.7% | 92,495 |
Santa Rosa |
472nd |
11.8% | 174,244 |
Simi Valley |
186th |
6.2% | 126,546 |
South Gate |
739th |
19.3% | 95,420 |
Stockton |
808th |
22.4% | 304,358 |
Sunnyvale |
204th |
6.6% | 151,565 |
Temecula |
218th |
6.8% | 110,722 |
Thousand Oaks |
158th |
5.7% | 128,909 |
Torrance |
237th |
7.2% | 147,190 |
Tracy |
304th |
8.4% | 87,613 |
Vacaville |
324th |
8.8% | 96,918 |
Vallejo |
612th |
15.4% | 120,599 |
Victorville |
826th |
23.3% | 121,721 |
Visalia |
762nd |
20.3% | 130,047 |
Vista |
611th |
15.4% | 99,496 |
West Covina |
381st |
10.0% | 107,786 |
Westminster |
677th |
17.6% | 91,785 |
Whittier |
482nd |
12.1% | 86,852 |
Research & Reports
National Poverty Statistics
Where are the most poverty-stricken areas in your state? We breakdown over 3,000 counties nationwide and show the rank the best and worst communities by poverty rate in your area.
See Poverty Statistics
Social Security Payments in California
How are the Social Security Payments distributed throughout California? We breakdown social security benefits by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least social security income per capita.
California Social Security
Food Stamp Recipients in California
Which areas receive the most food stamp public assistance in California? We breakdown food stamps by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least food and nutrional supplements given to residents.
California Food Stamps