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Population Review

Lancaster, California Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Lancaster, California is 170,013 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 31st-largest city in California. The median household income is $76,083, the median home value is $409,100, and the median age is 34.2.

The population has grown 6.8% since 2010 (156,824 → 167,426).

170,013

Population

1803

People / sq mi

$76,083

Median Income

$409,100

Median Home Value

Lancaster covers 94.3 sq mi of land at 1803 people per square mile.

About Lancaster, CA

Lancaster is a city in California with a population of 170,013. It ranks #31 among cities in California by population. The median age is 34.2, younger than the national median. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

The median household income in Lancaster is $76,083, near the US median of $74,580. 12.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $409,100, with monthly rent averaging $1,696. The homeownership rate of 58.4% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Lancaster reflects 20.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 9.4% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 31.5 minutes each way.

Lancaster city Population History (2010-2024)

The city of Lancaster city had a population of 156,824 in 2010 and 167,426 in 2024, a 6.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 173,192 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.50%.

2020 · 173K20102024

167,426

Population (2024)

156,824

Population (2010)

173,192

Peak (2020)

0.50%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
2010156,824
2011158,078
2012158,253
2013159,055
2014159,634
2015159,813
2016159,633
2017159,434
2018158,622
2019157,601
2020173,192
2021170,036
2022167,893
2023167,293
2024167,426

Race & Ethnicity

White35.5%
Black or African American21.4%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2.9%
Two or More Races0.0%

Economy & Income

$76,083

Median Household Income

$29,766

Per Capita Income

12.3%

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$409,100

Median Home Value

$1,696

Median Rent

58.4%

Owner-Occupied

Education

82.0%

High School+

20.1%

Bachelor's+

Commute

1.3%

Drive Alone

74.8%

Public Transit

9.4%

Work From Home

31.5 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

11.7%

Foreign Born

66.9%

Non-English at Home

5.9%

Veterans

11.9%

With Disability

95.7%

Health Insurance

94.8%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management27.1%
Manufacturing10.0%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate9.6%
Public Administration8.4%
Construction7.2%
Education, Health Care & Social Services6.9%
Retail Trade6.6%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services5.7%
Information5.0%
Transportation & Warehousing1.5%
Agriculture & Mining0.5%

Largest cities in California

Largest counties in California

Part of California

Metro areas in California

City rankings

Common questions about Lancaster, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

Lancaster, California has a population of 170,013 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 31st-largest city in California.

The median household income in Lancaster, California is $76,083, with 12.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Lancaster, California is $409,100, with median monthly rent at $1,696 and a homeownership rate of 58.4%.

The median age in Lancaster, California is 34.2 years. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

The population has grown 6.8% since 2010 (156,824 → 167,426).

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

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