Sierra County, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 57th-largest in California
The population of Sierra County, California is 2,731 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 57th-largest county in California. The median household income is $60,000, the median home value is $334,100, and the median age is 56.0.
The population of Sierra County has declined 3.3% since 2010 (3,220 → 3,113), a -0.24% annualized rate.
2,731
Population
-0.24%
Annual growth
3
People / sq mi
$60,000
Median Income
$334,100
Median Home Value
Sierra County covers 953 sq mi of land at 2.9 people per square mile.
About Sierra County, CA
Sierra County skews on age — the median resident is 56.0, older than the national median. With 2,731 residents, Sierra County is a county in California.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $60,000 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 9.1%, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $334,100, with typical rent around $1,181.
Roughly 24.4% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. About 13.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 30 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Sierra County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Sierra County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Sierra County had a population of 3,220 in 2010 and 3,113 in 2024, a -3.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 3,298 in 2021. Average annual growth rate: -0.20%.
3,113
Population (2024)
3,220
Population (2010)
3,298
Peak (2021)
-0.20%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3,220 |
| 2011 | 3,100 |
| 2012 | 3,068 |
| 2013 | 3,031 |
| 2014 | 2,976 |
| 2015 | 2,990 |
| 2016 | 2,956 |
| 2017 | 3,008 |
| 2018 | 2,961 |
| 2019 | 2,959 |
| 2020 | 3,229 |
| 2021 | 3,298 |
| 2022 | 3,215 |
| 2023 | 3,180 |
| 2024 | 3,113 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 90.4% |
| Black or African American | 0.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
56.0
Median Age
50.5%
Female
49.5%
Male
34.5%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 10.6% · Seniors (65+): 34.5%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $60,000$-36,334 vs state |
| Mean household income | $89,329 |
| Per-capita income | $40,612 |
| Poverty rate | 9.1%+0.7% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% |
| Employment-to-population | 44.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Sierra County is agriculture, accounting for 18.0% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
1.5%
Carpool
70.8%
Public transit
13.0%
Work from home
29.5 min
Avg commute
Housing
$334,100$-361,300 vs state
Median home value
$1,181
Median rent
78.3%
Homeownership rate
2,099
Total housing units
57.5%
Occupied
42.5%
Vacant
21.7%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
87.6%
With health insurance
83.3%
With broadband internet
26.0%
Foreign-born
7.1%
Veterans (18+)
17.3%
With a disability
87.9%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
91.4%
High School+
24.4%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in California
Other counties in California
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Metro areas in California
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Sierra County, California has a population of 2,731 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 57th-largest county in California. Population density is 3 people per square mile.
The population of Sierra County has declined 3.3% since 2010 (3,220 → 3,113), a -0.24% annualized rate.
The median household income in Sierra County, California is $60,000, with mean (average) household income of $89,329 and per-capita income of $40,612. 9.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Sierra County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (90.4%), Hispanic or Latino (2.6%), Black or African American (0.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Sierra County, California is 56.0 years. Residents are 50.5% female and 49.5% male.
The median home value in Sierra County is $334,100 and median monthly rent is $1,181. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 2,099 total housing units, 42.5% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Sierra County, California is agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining, employing 18.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 6.1%.
Los Angeles is among the largest cities associated with Sierra County, California, with a population of 3,857,897.
Sierra County, CA Climate
Sierra County, CA has an average annual temperature of 6.3°C (43°F) and receives about 1150 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
6.3°C
Avg Temp
1150
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -1° / 30° | 205 mm |
| February | -1° / 31° | 176 mm |
| March | 1° / 33° | 160 mm |
| April | 3° / 37° | 80 mm |
| May | 7° / 44° | 50 mm |
| June | 11° / 52° | 26 mm |
| July | 15° / 60° | 10 mm |
| August | 16° / 61° | 15 mm |
| September | 13° / 55° | 29 mm |
| October | 9° / 47° | 71 mm |
| November | 3° / 37° | 158 mm |
| December | -1° / 31° | 170 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 Sierra County, CA
The most comfortable months to visit Sierra County, CA are typically August, July and September, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 25°C high). The coldest is January (near -7°C low). January is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Sierra County
Visiting or relocating to Sierra 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.