Riverside County, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 4th-largest in California
The population of Riverside County, California is 2,449,909 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 4th-largest county in California. The median household income is $89,672, the median home value is $510,300, and the median age is 36.7.
The population of Riverside County has grown 14.9% since 2010 (2,201,562 → 2,529,933), a +1.00% annualized rate.
2,449,909
Population
+1.00%
Annual growth
340
People / sq mi
$89,672
Median Income
$510,300
Median Home Value
Riverside County covers 7,209 sq mi of land at 339.8 people per square mile.
About Riverside County, CA
Housing cost is the defining feature of Riverside County: the median home is valued at $510,300. Riverside County is a county in California with a population of 2,449,909. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in California in the country, at #4 by population.
Households here are among the highest-earning of all US counties: median income is $89,672, above the US median of $78,538. About 8.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $510,300, with typical rent around $1,814.
Roughly 25.1% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. A solid 10.9% of workers are based at home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 34 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Riverside County — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Riverside County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Riverside County had a population of 2,201,562 in 2010 and 2,529,933 in 2024, a 14.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 2,529,933 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.00%.
2,529,933
Population (2024)
2,201,562
Population (2010)
2,529,933
Peak (2024)
1.00%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,201,562 |
| 2011 | 2,233,840 |
| 2012 | 2,260,763 |
| 2013 | 2,286,087 |
| 2014 | 2,315,238 |
| 2015 | 2,344,648 |
| 2016 | 2,378,282 |
| 2017 | 2,413,058 |
| 2018 | 2,443,221 |
| 2019 | 2,465,569 |
| 2020 | 2,424,663 |
| 2021 | 2,455,225 |
| 2022 | 2,479,628 |
| 2023 | 2,503,549 |
| 2024 | 2,529,933 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 42.2% |
| Black or African American | 6.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
36.7
Median Age
49.9%
Female
50.1%
Male
15.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.9% · Seniors (65+): 15.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $89,672$-6,662 vs state |
| Mean household income | $115,609 |
| Per-capita income | $37,162 |
| Poverty rate | 8.5%+0.1% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% |
| Employment-to-population | 56.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Riverside County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.1% of workers.
How residents commute
0.7%
Drive alone
1.2%
Carpool
74.6%
Public transit
10.9%
Work from home
33.8 min
Avg commute
Housing
$510,300$-185,100 vs state
Median home value
$1,814
Median rent
68.9%
Homeownership rate
860,042
Total housing units
88.6%
Occupied
11.4%
Vacant
31.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
92.0%
With health insurance
96.6%
With broadband internet
15.0%
Foreign-born
6.0%
Veterans (18+)
11.9%
With a disability
58.2%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
83.3%
High School+
25.1%
Bachelor's+
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Part of California
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County rankings
Common questions about Riverside County, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Riverside County, California has a population of 2,449,909 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 4th-largest county in California. Population density is 340 people per square mile.
The population of Riverside County has grown 14.9% since 2010 (2,201,562 → 2,529,933), a +1.00% annualized rate.
The median household income in Riverside County, California is $89,672, with mean (average) household income of $115,609 and per-capita income of $37,162. 8.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Riverside County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (42.2%), Black or African American (6.5%), Hispanic or Latino (3.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Riverside County, California is 36.7 years. Residents are 49.9% female and 50.1% male.
The median home value in Riverside County is $510,300 and median monthly rent is $1,814. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 860,042 total housing units, 11.4% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Riverside County, California is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.
Los Angeles is among the largest cities associated with Riverside County, California, with a population of 3,857,897.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.