City · California
Carson, California
Carson, city, in Los Angeles County, California. Carson had 90,808 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 95,558 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 92,871 (±74). GEOID 0611530.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
90,808
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 95,558 · ACS 2020-2024: 92,871 ±74
Median household income
$108,703
±$4,237 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$704,400
±$13,988 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,956
±$109 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Carson and what county is it in?
Carson is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It covers 18.7 square miles of land, 5,102 residents per square mile in 2020.
Carson is in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Carson, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 90,808 people lived in Carson on July 1, 2025, down 5.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 95,558 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 92,871 (±74).
| Measure | Carson | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 92,871±74 | 9,808,667 | +792 |
| Households | 26,974±753 | 3,416,449 | +1,763 |
| Average household size | 3.38±0.09 | 2.81 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 28,178±733 | 3,650,466 | +2,314 |
Carson's population since 2000
From 89,730 in 2000 to 90,808 in 2025: up 1.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Carson as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Carson?
The median resident of Carson is 41.7 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 39.1%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 26.8%. 32.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carson | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7±1.0 | 38.2 | +2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.1%±1.3 pts | 20.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.5%±1.0 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Male | 48.9%±1.0 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 39.1%±2.1 pts | 48.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 6.3%±0.9 pts | 24.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 21.7%±2.1 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 26.8%±2.3 pts | 14.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 32.9%±1.6 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 51.8%±2.1 pts | 55.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.9%±0.5 pts | 2.7% | – |
| With a disability | 14.1%±1.0 pts | 11.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±0.9 pts | 8.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.5%±1.1 pts | 80.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.3%±1.7 pts | 36.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.6%±1.0 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.8%±1.1 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Carson earn?
Half of Carson's 26,974 households earn less than $108,703 a year (±$4,237), against $90,112 in Los Angeles County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $101,292 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,411 after inflation. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carson | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $108,703±$4,237 | $90,112 | +$7,411 |
| Mean household income | $132,882±$6,088 | $128,770 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,282±$1,843 | $45,792 | +$4,295 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.7%±1.3 pts | 13.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.3%±2.5 pts | 17.6% | −4.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.8%±1.8 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5%±0.7 pts | 96.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.0%±1.0 pts | 93.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Carson?
Owners occupy 74.0% of Carson's occupied homes and renters 26.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $704,400 by its owner (±$13,988). The median renter pays $1,956 a month including utilities, and 45.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carson | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $704,400±$13,988 | $834,200 | +$135,081 |
| Median gross rent | $1,956±$109 | $1,954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.4%±5.2 pts | 48.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,649±$93 | $3,160 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.0%±2.2 pts | 45.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 26.0%±2.2 pts | 54.1% | – |
| Housing units | 28,178±733 | 3,650,466 | +2,314 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.9%±2.0 pts | 47.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.2%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.2%±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.2%±0.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.6%±1.1 pts | 8.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Carson building?
Builders took permits for 37 new housing units in Carson in 2025 (24 in single-family houses), 0.4 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Carson work and get to work?
76.9% of Carson's workers drive alone and 8.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.8%.
| Measure | Carson | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.2%±1.4 pts | 64.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.8%±1.2 pts | 7.3% | +1.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.9%±2.0 pts | 64.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.6%±1.5 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.6%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.7%±1.0 pts | 17.1% | +5.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.5 min±1.0 | 30.4 min | −1.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Carson?
23 census tracts lie mostly in Carson, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $80,208 (Tract 5410.03) to $145,690 (Tract 5437.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5433.04Los Angeles County | 6,984 | $113,438 |
| Tract 5433.22Los Angeles County | 6,750 | $122,001 |
| Tract 5433.06Los Angeles County | 6,708 | $103,209 |
| Tract 5433.21Los Angeles County | 5,594 | $125,789 |
| Tract 5435.01Los Angeles County | 6,069 | $97,231 |
| Tract 5436.07Los Angeles County | 4,991 | $112,614 |
| Tract 5438.04Los Angeles County | 4,643 | $128,350 |
| Tract 5439.05Los Angeles County | 4,602 | $92,212 |
| Tract 5438.03Los Angeles County | 4,535 | $95,529 |
| Tract 5438.01Los Angeles County | 4,371 | $107,623 |
| Tract 5440.01Los Angeles County | 4,354 | $97,880 |
| Tract 5436.01Los Angeles County | 4,322 | $109,844 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Carson) · Census block assignment files
How does Carson compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Carson is the 389th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 87th-most populous of 483 in California.
Carson ranks 372nd of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 87th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 401st | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 243rd | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 372nd | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 580th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 434th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 430th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 540th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 522nd | 988 |
| Median age | 438th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 359th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 665th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 547th | 1,069 |
Carson's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Carson with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Carson?
3 of the 57 figures for Carson on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Carson are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Carson.