City · California
Hercules, California
Hercules, city, in Contra Costa County, California. Hercules had 26,326 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 26,016 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 26,302 (±52). GEOID 0633308.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,326
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,016 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,302 ±52
Median household income
$129,397
±$8,414 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$769,400
±$27,075 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,991
±$414 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Hercules and what county is it in?
Hercules is a city in Contra Costa County, California. It covers 6.4 square miles of land, 4,057 residents per square mile in 2020.
Hercules is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 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 Hercules, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 26,326 people lived in Hercules on July 1, 2025, up 1.2% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. The 2020 Census counted 26,016 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 26,302 (±52).
| Measure | Hercules | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,302 ±52 | 1,165,012 | +686 |
| Households | 9,355 ±442 | 414,417 | +953 |
| Average household size | 2.80 ±0.13 | 2.78 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 9,581 ±444 | 429,260 | +935 |
Hercules's population since 2000
From 19,488 in 2000 to 26,326 in 2025: up 35.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Hercules 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 Hercules?
The median resident of Hercules is 43.9 years old; 18.3% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Asian residents at 44.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 18.3%. 36.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hercules | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 ±1.8 | 40.5 | +2.7 |
| Under 18 years | 18.3% ±1.9 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1% ±1.8 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Male | 48.6% ±2.0 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.5% ±2.0 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 14.4% ±2.5 pts | 38.1% | −4.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 18.3% ±3.3 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 44.1% ±3.4 pts | 18.6% | 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 | 1.2% ±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.1% ±2.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 36.3% ±3.1 pts | 26.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 45.5% ±3.4 pts | 37.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8% ±1.4 pts | 4.2% | – |
| With a disability | 11.1% ±1.4 pts | 11.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.9% ±1.2 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5% ±1.6 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 46.0% ±3.1 pts | 45.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.0% ±1.7 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.1% ±2.5 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
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 Hercules earn?
Half of Hercules's 9,355 households earn less than $129,397 a year (±$8,414), against $127,229 in Contra Costa County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $144,013 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $14,616 after inflation. 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hercules | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $129,397 ±$8,414 | $127,229 | −$14,616 |
| Mean household income | $154,418 ±$7,730 | $174,872 | – |
| Per capita income | $55,501 ±$2,778 | $62,927 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.6% ±1.6 pts | 8.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.6% ±2.2 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.5% ±2.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.2% ±1.1 pts | 97.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.7% ±1.7 pts | 95.6% | – |
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 Hercules?
Owners occupy 79.2% of Hercules's occupied homes and renters 20.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $769,400 by its owner (±$27,075). The median renter pays $2,991 a month including utilities, and 47.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hercules | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $769,400 ±$27,075 | $866,800 | +$78,242 |
| Median gross rent | $2,991 ±$414 | $2,375 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.6% ±10.9 pts | 47.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,326 ±$199 | $3,435 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.2% ±3.9 pts | 68.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 20.8% ±3.9 pts | 32.0% | – |
| Housing units | 9,581 ±444 | 429,260 | +935 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5% ±3.8 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.9% ±3.3 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.9% ±1.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.1% ±1.7 pts | 5.2% | – |
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 Hercules building?
Hercules last reported building permits to the Census Bureau for 2019.
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 Hercules work and get to work?
62.9% of Hercules's workers drive alone and 19.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 37.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Hercules | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.4% ±2.4 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4% ±1.6 pts | 6.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 62.9% ±4.0 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8% ±1.8 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 9.1% ±3.3 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.0% ±2.5 pts | 21.3% | +13.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 37.6 min ±2.4 | 35.3 min | −4.6 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 Hercules?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Hercules, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $99,796 (Tract 3591.04) to $172,000 (Tract 3923).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3592.03Contra Costa County | 7,058 | $146,435 |
| Tract 3591.05Contra Costa County | 5,183 | $139,565 |
| Tract 3592.04Contra Costa County | 4,489 | $134,800 |
| Tract 3923Contra Costa County | 4,040 | $172,000 |
| Tract 3591.04Contra Costa County | 2,648 | $99,796 |
| Tract 3560.02Contra Costa County | 5,612 | $121,275 |
| Tract 3591.03Contra Costa County | 5,168 | $108,413 |
| Tract 3560.01Contra Costa County | 3,698 | $115,938 |
| Tract 9900Contra Costa County | 0 | not published |
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 Hercules) · Census block assignment files
How does Hercules compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Hercules is the 1,534th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 265th-most populous of 483 in California.
Hercules ranks 234th 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 | 265th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 132nd | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 315th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 234th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 325th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 388th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 97th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 731st | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 275th | 988 |
| Median age | 352nd | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 256th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 319th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 113th | 1,069 |
Hercules's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Hercules 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 Hercules?
10 of the 57 figures for Hercules 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 Hercules 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 Hercules.