City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Davis, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Davis - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

66,801
Residents
$87,421
Median income
$829,000
Median home
$2,104
Median rent (state)

Davis - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Davis lands in the 69th percentile for household income and the 24th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

69th
percentile, household income
95th
percentile, home value
85th
percentile, median rent
24th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Davis, CA

66,801 people live in Davis, California - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Davis brings in $87,421 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.3%. Davis's housing stock carries a median value of $829,000, and the median resident age is 27.2 years. Educational attainment runs 75.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 111 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 192% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2397.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,104 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Davis workers runs 18.1 minutes, with 52.2% driving alone and 22.6% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 91.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

66,801 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$87,421 /yr

Poverty 5.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Davis compare to other US cities?

Where Davis sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 69% higher than other cities
Home value 95% pricier than other cities
Median rent 85% pricier than other cities
Safety 24% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, Davis ranks #296 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Davis's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

69thIncome percentile
24thSafety percentile

69th percentile nationally for median household income · 24th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Davis's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Davis's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
Davis's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Davis's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$829,000 5th percentile more affordable than 5% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Davis $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Davis, CA Davis, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Davis, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Davis, CA median $87,421/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Davis, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Davis, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 75.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
66,801
Median Income
$87,421
Median Home Value
$829,000
Median Age
27.2
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Labor force participation
55.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
75.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2397.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
186.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2211.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
16
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
66,000 residents66,500 residents67,000 residents67,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 66,902 residents 66,110 residents ▼ -1.2%
Davis's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
111
housing units authorized
Single-Family
105
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 38
2020 130
2021 324
2022 23
2023 227
2024 111

Permit volume increased 192% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.1 minutes
Drive Alone
52.2%
Carpool
3.7%
Public Transit
5.0%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
22.6%
Other
13.2%

Based on 32,089 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Davis sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,104/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Lodi
67,008 people
Madera
67,133 people
Palo Alto
67,231 people
Yorba Linda
67,407 people
Union City
68,141 people
Castro Valley
65,389 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Davis's 66,801 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Idaho Falls, ID
66,672 people
Delray Beach, FL
66,940 people
Waterloo, IA
66,947 people
Grand Junction, CO
67,027 people
Palatine, IL
66,548 people
Spring, TX
67,103 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Davis's $87,421 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Danbury, TX
$87,417 median income
Battlefield, MO
$87,414 median income
Goose Creek, SC
$87,437 median income
Eagleville, TN
$87,404 median income
Freeport, MN
$87,396 median income
Harbor Hills, OH
$87,396 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Davis, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Davis, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 56.3% 24.6% 11.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.2% White 56.3% Black or African American 2.6% Asian 24.6% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 11.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Davis compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Davis (this city) 66,801 $87,421
Lodi 67,008 $84,402
Madera 67,133 $63,619
Palo Alto 67,231 $220,408
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Davis, CA?

What is the population of Davis, CA? +

The population of Davis, CA stands at 66,801 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Davis, CA? +

The median household income in Davis is $87,421 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Davis? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Davis; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Davis, CA safe? +

Davis has a total crime rate of 2397.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Davis, CA? +

Davis's median home value sits at $829,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.