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Population Review

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

Big Bear City covers 32.0 sq mi of land at 390 people per square mile.

About Big Bear City, CA

Big Bear City is a city in California with a population of 12,493. It ranks #445 among cities in California by population. The median age is 44.3, older than the national median. The population is 53.0% male and 47.0% female.

The median household income in Big Bear City is $72,457, near the US median of $74,580. 11.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $427,700, with monthly rent averaging $1,454. The homeownership rate of 71.9% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Big Bear City reflects 28.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 15.4% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.2 minutes each way.

Race & Ethnicity

White80.7%
Black or African American0.9%
Asian0.7%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)4.7%
Two or More Races0.2%

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 Services21.9%
Professional, Scientific & Management18.0%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate11.8%
Construction10.5%
Information7.5%
Retail Trade7.4%
Public Administration5.2%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services4.6%
Agriculture & Mining2.0%
Manufacturing1.9%
Transportation & Warehousing1.3%

Largest cities in California

Largest counties in California

Part of California

Metro areas in California

City rankings

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.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.