El Cerrito, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of El Cerrito, California is 25,781 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 295th-largest city in California. The median household income is $127,475, the median home value is $1,107,500, and the median age is 42.4.
The population has grown 11.7% since 2010 (23,644 → 26,409).
25,781
Population
7021
People / sq mi
$127,475
Median Income
$1,107,500
Median Home Value
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El Cerrito covers 3.7 sq mi of land at 7021 people per square mile.
About El Cerrito, CA
In El Cerrito, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $1,107,500. With 25,781 residents, El Cerrito is a city in California.
The typical household earns $127,475 a year, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 4.8%, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $1,107,500, with typical rent around $2,444.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US cities — 66.2% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 27.6% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 33 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in El Cerrito — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
El Cerrito city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of El Cerrito city had a population of 23,644 in 2010 and 26,409 in 2024, a 11.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 26,409 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.80%.
26,409
Population (2024)
23,644
Population (2010)
26,409
Peak (2024)
0.80%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 23,644 |
| 2011 | 23,845 |
| 2012 | 24,074 |
| 2013 | 24,323 |
| 2014 | 24,551 |
| 2015 | 24,902 |
| 2016 | 25,458 |
| 2017 | 25,468 |
| 2018 | 25,607 |
| 2019 | 25,508 |
| 2020 | 25,944 |
| 2021 | 25,907 |
| 2022 | 25,798 |
| 2023 | 25,911 |
| 2024 | 26,409 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 47.7% |
| Black or African American | 4.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$127,475
Median Household Income
$72,937
Per Capita Income
4.8%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$1,107,500
Median Home Value
$2,444
Median Rent
57.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.0%
High School+
66.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
17.3%
Drive Alone
41.0%
Public Transit
27.6%
Work From Home
33.1 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
21.6%
Foreign Born
63.0%
Non-English at Home
2.4%
Veterans
8.4%
With Disability
96.2%
Health Insurance
96.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 29.3% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 19.8% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 7.5% |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% |
| Information | 5.5% |
| Retail Trade | 5.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.8% |
| Public Administration | 4.7% |
| Construction | 3.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
El Cerrito, California has a population of 25,781 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 295th-largest city in California.
The median household income in El Cerrito, California is $127,475, with 4.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in El Cerrito, California is $1,107,500, with median monthly rent at $2,444 and a homeownership rate of 57.3%.
The median age in El Cerrito, California is 42.4 years. The population is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
The population has grown 11.7% since 2010 (23,644 → 26,409).
Where to stay in El Cerrito
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.