City · California
Colton, California
Colton, city, in San Bernardino County, California. Colton had 53,383 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 53,909 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 53,772 (±47). GEOID 0614890.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
53,383
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 53,909 · ACS 2020-2024: 53,772 ±47
Median household income
$71,208
±$2,603 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$443,800
±$8,259 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,661
±$55 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Colton and what county is it in?
Colton is a city in San Bernardino County, California. It covers 15.6 square miles of land, 3,450 residents per square mile in 2020.
Colton is in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, 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 Colton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 53,383 people lived in Colton on July 1, 2025, down 0.9% since 2020, in line with California (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 53,909 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 53,772 (±47).
| Measure | Colton | San Bernardino County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 53,772 ±47 | 2,197,104 | −808 |
| Households | 16,897 ±615 | 674,915 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.16 ±0.11 | 3.20 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,856 ±610 | 743,886 | −922 |
Colton's population since 2000
From 47,662 in 2000 to 53,383 in 2025: up 12.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Colton 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 Colton?
The median resident of Colton is 33.9 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 11.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 75.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 9.6%. 25.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Colton | San Bernardino County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.9 ±1.2 | 34.7 | +2.5 |
| Under 18 years | 23.4% ±1.5 pts | 25.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.3% ±1.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Male | 50.6% ±1.7 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 75.2% ±2.4 pts | 55.2% | +7.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 9.6% ±1.1 pts | 24.7% | −8.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.5% ±1.6 pts | 7.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.8% ±1.1 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.5% ±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 25.7% ±2.2 pts | 21.6% | +4.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 55.2% ±3.5 pts | 44.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3% ±1.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
| With a disability | 11.5% ±1.5 pts | 12.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.1% ±1.5 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 75.5% ±2.8 pts | 82.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.6% ±2.2 pts | 23.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0% ±1.2 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.4% ±1.5 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 Colton earn?
Half of Colton's 16,897 households earn less than $71,208 a year (±$2,603), against $85,478 in San Bernardino County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,258 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,950 after inflation. 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Colton | San Bernardino County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,208 ±$2,603 | $85,478 | +$4,950 |
| Mean household income | $85,190 ±$4,430 | $109,207 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,391 ±$1,422 | $34,343 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.7% ±2.5 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.7% ±6.1 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.3% ±2.4 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.2% ±1.5 pts | 96.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.8% ±1.9 pts | 93.3% | – |
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 Colton?
Owners occupy 52.8% of Colton's occupied homes and renters 47.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $443,800 by its owner (±$8,259). The median renter pays $1,661 a month including utilities, and 46.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Colton | San Bernardino County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $443,800 ±$8,259 | $505,000 | +$126,896 |
| Median gross rent | $1,661 ±$55 | $1,801 | +$198 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.9% ±6.1 pts | 48.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,016 ±$95 | $2,368 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 52.8% ±3.1 pts | 62.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 47.2% ±3.1 pts | 37.9% | – |
| Housing units | 17,856 ±610 | 743,886 | −922 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4% ±2.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.3% ±2.8 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.4% ±1.2 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.1% ±1.0 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.0% ±1.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.6% ±1.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
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 Colton building?
Builders took permits for 52 new housing units in Colton in 2025 (52 in single-family houses), 1.0 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 Colton work and get to work?
74.5% of Colton's workers drive alone and 9.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.5%.
| Measure | Colton | San Bernardino County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.4% ±1.7 pts | 62.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.5% ±1.2 pts | 7.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.5% ±3.7 pts | 74.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.6% ±2.3 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.1% ±3.2 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.5 min ±1.9 | 32.6 min | no clear change |
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 Colton?
14 census tracts lie mostly in Colton, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $49,418 (Tract 71.12) to $99,318 (Tract 36.12).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 70.02San Bernardino County | 5,176 | $68,340 |
| Tract 66.03San Bernardino County | 5,885 | $81,784 |
| Tract 125San Bernardino County | 4,804 | $64,292 |
| Tract 67San Bernardino County | 4,378 | $55,938 |
| Tract 36.11San Bernardino County | 4,957 | $76,046 |
| Tract 36.12San Bernardino County | 5,121 | $99,318 |
| Tract 66.04San Bernardino County | 4,155 | $65,427 |
| Tract 71.10San Bernardino County | 5,657 | $96,500 |
| Tract 66.01San Bernardino County | 4,576 | $61,702 |
| Tract 70.01San Bernardino County | 2,996 | $62,457 |
| Tract 71.12San Bernardino County | 2,977 | $49,418 |
| Tract 71.08San Bernardino County | 2,406 | $70,980 |
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 Colton) · Census block assignment files
How does Colton compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Colton is the 771st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 168th-most populous of 483 in California.
Colton ranks 782nd 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 | 168th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 206th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 389th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 782nd | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 851st | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 709th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 611th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 313th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 765th | 988 |
| Median age | 845th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 850th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 648th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 547th | 1,069 |
Colton's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Colton 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 Colton?
6 of the 57 figures for Colton 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 Colton 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 Colton.