Big Bear City, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Big Bear City, California is 12,493 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 445th-largest city in California. The median household income is $72,457, the median home value is $427,700, and the median age is 44.3.
12,493
Population
390
People / sq mi
$72,457
Median Income
$427,700
Median Home Value
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Big Bear City covers 32.0 sq mi of land at 390 people per square mile.
About Big Bear City, CA
What distinguishes Big Bear City is density: among the most sparsely settled of US cities, around 390 people per square mile. Big Bear City is a city in California with a population of 12,493.
The typical household here earns about $72,457, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 11.0%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $427,700, with typical rent around $1,454.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US cities: 28.4% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is above the national 14.0% at 15.4%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 80.7% |
| Black or African American | 0.9% |
| Asian | 0.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.2% |
Economy & Income
$72,457
Median Household Income
$38,030
Per Capita Income
11.0%
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$427,700
Median Home Value
$1,454
Median Rent
71.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
91.8%
High School+
28.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
72.3%
Public Transit
15.4%
Work From Home
26.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
20.7%
Foreign Born
85.0%
Non-English at Home
11.5%
Veterans
12.7%
With Disability
89.9%
Health Insurance
98.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 21.9% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 18.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 11.8% |
| Construction | 10.5% |
| Information | 7.5% |
| Retail Trade | 7.4% |
| Public Administration | 5.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.0% |
| Manufacturing | 1.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.3% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Big Bear City, California has a population of 12,493 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 445th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Big Bear City, California is $72,457, with 11.0% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Big Bear City, California is $427,700, with median monthly rent at $1,454 and a homeownership rate of 71.9%.
The median age in Big Bear City, California is 44.3 years. The population is 53.0% male and 47.0% female.
Where to stay in Big Bear City
Visiting or relocating to Big Bear City, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.