Chowchilla, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chowchilla, California is 18,876 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 366th-largest city in California. The median household income is $63,308, the median home value is $331,500, and the median age is 34.6.
The population has grown 2.5% since 2010 (18,718 → 19,191).
18,876
Population
1635
People / sq mi
$63,308
Median Income
$331,500
Median Home Value
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Chowchilla covers 11.5 sq mi of land at 1635 people per square mile.
About Chowchilla, CA
The poverty rate is what most separates Chowchilla from the typical city: 17.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Chowchilla is a city in California with a population of 18,876.
The typical household earns $63,308, below the US median of $78,538. Hardship is pronounced — at 17.6%, poverty is near the top of the range for US cities, above the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $331,500, with typical rent around $1,204.
College attainment is 16.7%, below the national 35.0%. Just 6.3% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Chowchilla: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Chowchilla city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Chowchilla city had a population of 18,718 in 2010 and 19,191 in 2024, a 2.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 19,332 in 2023. Average annual growth rate: 0.23%.
19,191
Population (2024)
18,718
Population (2010)
19,332
Peak (2023)
0.23%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,718 |
| 2011 | 18,892 |
| 2012 | 18,049 |
| 2013 | 17,357 |
| 2014 | 18,843 |
| 2015 | 18,391 |
| 2016 | 18,179 |
| 2017 | 18,457 |
| 2018 | 18,709 |
| 2019 | 18,310 |
| 2020 | 18,935 |
| 2021 | 18,901 |
| 2022 | 18,757 |
| 2023 | 19,332 |
| 2024 | 19,191 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 43.1% |
| Black or African American | 5.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$63,308
Median Household Income
$21,944
Per Capita Income
17.6%
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$331,500
Median Home Value
$1,204
Median Rent
59.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
77.0%
High School+
16.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.7%
Drive Alone
71.8%
Public Transit
6.3%
Work From Home
26.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
9.4%
Foreign Born
58.1%
Non-English at Home
5.3%
Veterans
11.3%
With Disability
93.5%
Health Insurance
91.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.6% |
| Retail Trade | 10.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.3% |
| Construction | 8.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 7.9% |
| Information | 7.7% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 6.8% |
| Public Administration | 6.4% |
| Manufacturing | 4.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.8% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Chowchilla, California has a population of 18,876 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 366th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Chowchilla, California is $63,308, with 17.6% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chowchilla, California is $331,500, with median monthly rent at $1,204 and a homeownership rate of 59.0%.
The median age in Chowchilla, California is 34.6 years. The population is 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
The population has grown 2.5% since 2010 (18,718 → 19,191).
Where to stay in Chowchilla
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.