Plumas County, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 51st-largest in California
The population of Plumas County, California is 19,607 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 51st-largest county in California. The median household income is $64,946, the median home value is $327,400, and the median age is 52.1.
The population of Plumas County has declined 5.4% since 2010 (19,915 → 18,834), a -0.40% annualized rate.
19,607
Population
-0.40%
Annual growth
8
People / sq mi
$64,946
Median Income
$327,400
Median Home Value
Plumas County covers 2,553 sq mi of land at 7.7 people per square mile.
About Plumas County, CA
Plumas County skews on age — the median resident is 52.1, older than the national median. With 19,607 residents, Plumas County is a county in California.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $64,946 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 6.0%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $327,400, with typical rent around $1,034.
20.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. About 8.0% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Plumas County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Plumas County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Plumas County had a population of 19,915 in 2010 and 18,834 in 2024, a -5.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 19,965 in 2021. Average annual growth rate: -0.38%.
18,834
Population (2024)
19,915
Population (2010)
19,965
Peak (2021)
-0.38%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19,915 |
| 2011 | 19,720 |
| 2012 | 19,380 |
| 2013 | 18,901 |
| 2014 | 18,631 |
| 2015 | 18,435 |
| 2016 | 18,691 |
| 2017 | 18,680 |
| 2018 | 18,830 |
| 2019 | 19,052 |
| 2020 | 19,761 |
| 2021 | 19,965 |
| 2022 | 19,433 |
| 2023 | 19,120 |
| 2024 | 18,834 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 87.1% |
| Black or African American | 1.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
52.1
Median Age
49.0%
Female
51.0%
Male
29.9%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 13.8% · Seniors (65+): 29.9%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $64,946$-31,388 vs state |
| Mean household income | $93,296 |
| Per-capita income | $41,604 |
| Poverty rate | 6.0%-2.4% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% |
| Employment-to-population | 42.7% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Plumas County is professional & business services, accounting for 25.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.2%
Drive alone
3.7%
Carpool
78.3%
Public transit
8.0%
Work from home
19.8 min
Avg commute
Housing
$327,400$-368,000 vs state
Median home value
$1,034
Median rent
74.8%
Homeownership rate
15,037
Total housing units
53.6%
Occupied
46.4%
Vacant
25.2%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
95.0%
With health insurance
93.7%
With broadband internet
26.4%
Foreign-born
11.0%
Veterans (18+)
21.3%
With a disability
94.5%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
94.0%
High School+
20.5%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in California
Other counties in California
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Metro areas in California
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Plumas County, California has a population of 19,607 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 51st-largest county in California. Population density is 8 people per square mile.
The population of Plumas County has declined 5.4% since 2010 (19,915 → 18,834), a -0.40% annualized rate.
The median household income in Plumas County, California is $64,946, with mean (average) household income of $93,296 and per-capita income of $41,604. 6.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Plumas County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (87.1%), Hispanic or Latino (4.9%), Black or African American (1.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Plumas County, California is 52.1 years. Residents are 49.0% female and 51.0% male.
The median home value in Plumas County is $327,400 and median monthly rent is $1,034. 74.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 15,037 total housing units, 46.4% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Plumas County, California is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 25.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.6%.
Los Angeles is among the largest cities associated with Plumas County, California, with a population of 3,857,897.
Plumas County, CA Climate
Plumas County, CA has an average annual temperature of 7.7°C (46°F) and receives about 964 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
7.7°C
Avg Temp
964
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0° / 33° | 167 mm |
| February | 1° / 34° | 140 mm |
| March | 2° / 36° | 132 mm |
| April | 5° / 41° | 67 mm |
| May | 9° / 48° | 42 mm |
| June | 13° / 55° | 24 mm |
| July | 17° / 62° | 8 mm |
| August | 17° / 63° | 13 mm |
| September | 14° / 57° | 25 mm |
| October | 10° / 49° | 66 mm |
| November | 4° / 39° | 136 mm |
| December | 1° / 33° | 144 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Plumas County, CA
The most comfortable months to visit Plumas County, CA are typically August, July and September, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 27°C high). The coldest is January (near -5°C low). January is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Plumas County
Visiting or relocating to Plumas County, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the county — 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.