Arcata, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Arcata, California is 18,578 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 368th-largest city in California. The median household income is $48,731, the median home value is $466,600, and the median age is 28.0.
The population has grown 6.0% since 2010 (17,681 → 18,748).
18,578
Population
1973
People / sq mi
$48,731
Median Income
$466,600
Median Home Value
Arcata covers 9.4 sq mi of land at 1973 people per square mile.
About Arcata, CA
Arcata is a city in California with a population of 18,578. It ranks #368 among cities in California by population. The median age is 28.0, younger than the national median. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The median household income in Arcata is $48,731, below the US median of $74,580. 15.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $466,600, with monthly rent averaging $1,287. The homeownership rate of 33.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Arcata reflects 45.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 13.4% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.2 minutes each way.
Arcata city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Arcata city had a population of 17,681 in 2010 and 18,748 in 2024, a 6.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 19,029 in 2023. Average annual growth rate: 0.44%.
18,748
Population (2024)
17,681
Population (2010)
19,029
Peak (2023)
0.44%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 17,681 |
| 2011 | 17,912 |
| 2012 | 17,875 |
| 2013 | 17,860 |
| 2014 | 17,869 |
| 2015 | 17,945 |
| 2016 | 18,100 |
| 2017 | 18,148 |
| 2018 | 18,246 |
| 2019 | 18,431 |
| 2020 | 18,837 |
| 2021 | 17,756 |
| 2022 | 18,644 |
| 2023 | 19,029 |
| 2024 | 18,748 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 73.9% |
| Black or African American | 2.4% |
| Asian | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.2% |
Economy & Income
$48,731
Median Household Income
$30,772
Per Capita Income
15.5%
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$466,600
Median Home Value
$1,287
Median Rent
33.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.0%
High School+
45.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.4%
Drive Alone
59.2%
Public Transit
13.4%
Work From Home
18.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
25.6%
Foreign Born
85.7%
Non-English at Home
3.0%
Veterans
16.1%
With Disability
95.2%
Health Insurance
95.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 27.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 13.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.7% |
| Public Administration | 5.7% |
| Construction | 4.4% |
| Manufacturing | 3.8% |
| Retail Trade | 3.6% |
| Information | 3.0% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.4% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Arcata, California has a population of 18,578 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 368th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Arcata, California is $48,731, with 15.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Arcata, California is $466,600, with median monthly rent at $1,287 and a homeownership rate of 33.9%.
The median age in Arcata, California is 28.0 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The population has grown 6.0% since 2010 (17,681 → 18,748).
More from California
Population 3,857,897
Population 1,385,061
Population 990,054
Population 836,321
Population 543,615
Full rankings of California cities by population
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.