Poverty Rate in California
ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
Poverty Rate
12.0% −4.7% vs nat'l
Rank #29 of 52
How California Compares
California
12.0%
National
12.6%
4.7% below
State Ranking
| Rank | State | Value |
|---|---|---|
| #26 | Illinois | 11.8% |
| #27 | South Dakota | 11.9% |
| #28 | Oregon | 11.9% |
| #29 | California | 12.0% |
| #30 | Indiana | 12.3% |
| #31 | Nevada | 12.4% |
| #32 | Arizona | 12.5% |
Highest Poverty Counties in California
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra County | 4.4% |
| 2 | San Benito County | 6.7% |
| 3 | San Mateo County | 6.7% |
| 4 | Placer County | 6.8% |
| 5 | Santa Clara County | 7.1% |
| 6 | El Dorado County | 8.0% |
| 7 | Amador County | 8.2% |
| 8 | Marin County | 8.3% |
| 9 | Contra Costa County | 8.4% |
| 10 | Napa County | 8.5% |
Lowest Poverty Counties in California
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Trinity County | 20.7% |
| 57 | Imperial County | 19.5% |
| 56 | Butte County | 19.2% |
| 55 | Madera County | 19.2% |
| 54 | Kern County | 19.1% |
| 53 | Merced County | 19.1% |
| 52 | Humboldt County | 18.7% |
| 51 | Fresno County | 18.3% |
| 50 | Modoc County | 17.9% |
| 49 | Tulare County | 17.9% |
Poverty Rate in California
California has a poverty rate of 12.0%, ranking #29 of 52 among all 52 states and territories. This is 4.7% below the national value of 12.6%.
Across California's 58 counties, poverty rate ranges from 20.7% to 4.4%. The county with the highest value is Sierra County at 4.4%.
Percentage of the population living below the federal poverty line.
About this data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). All values are estimates derived from survey samples and are subject to margin of error. For more information, see our methodology.