City · California
Hollister, California
Hollister, city, in San Benito County, California. Hollister had 45,695 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 41,678 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 43,811 (±28). GEOID 0634120.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
45,695
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 41,678 · ACS 2020-2024: 43,811 ±28
Median household income
$111,834
±$6,799 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$717,500
±$24,546 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,914
±$92 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Hollister and what county is it in?
Hollister is a city in San Benito County, California. It covers 8.0 square miles of land, 5,235 residents per square mile in 2020.
Hollister is in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 Hollister, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 45,695 people lived in Hollister on July 1, 2025, up 9.7% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. The 2020 Census counted 41,678 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 43,811 (±28).
| Measure | Hollister | San Benito County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 43,811 ±28 | 67,290 | +5,124 |
| Households | 12,593 ±285 | 20,561 | +1,598 |
| Average household size | 3.46 ±0.08 | 3.25 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,921 ±269 | 21,322 | +1,560 |
Hollister's population since 2000
From 34,413 in 2000 to 45,695 in 2025: up 32.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Hollister 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 Hollister?
The median resident of Hollister is 34.1 years old; 27.3% are under 18 and 11.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 69.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 21.9%. 22.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hollister | San Benito County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.1 ±0.8 | 36.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.3% ±0.9 pts | 25.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.0% ±0.6 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±0.8 pts | 50.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 69.3% ±1.5 pts | 62.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 21.9% ±1.4 pts | 29.2% | −3.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.1% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | +1.9 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2% ±0.9 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 22.1% ±1.6 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 50.9% ±3.1 pts | 44.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±0.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.0% ±1.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5% ±1.3 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.3% ±2.0 pts | 83.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.1% ±1.7 pts | 24.1% | +4.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.9% ±1.0 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.4% ±2.4 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
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 Hollister earn?
Half of Hollister's 12,593 households earn less than $111,834 a year (±$6,799), against $114,394 in San Benito County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $99,230 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,604 after inflation. 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hollister | San Benito County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $111,834 ±$6,799 | $114,394 | +$12,604 |
| Mean household income | $131,950 ±$6,852 | $143,684 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,015 ±$2,063 | $45,103 | +$5,012 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.9% ±1.7 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.9% ±3.7 pts | 8.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.5% ±2.5 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.9% ±1.1 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.7% ±1.1 pts | 95.2% | – |
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 Hollister?
Owners occupy 65.4% of Hollister's occupied homes and renters 34.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $717,500 by its owner (±$24,546). The median renter pays $1,914 a month including utilities, and 42.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hollister | San Benito County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $717,500 ±$24,546 | $793,400 | +$130,705 |
| Median gross rent | $1,914 ±$92 | $1,992 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.0% ±5.8 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,068 ±$103 | $3,284 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.4% ±3.5 pts | 67.9% | +6.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 34.6% ±3.5 pts | 32.1% | – |
| Housing units | 12,921 ±269 | 21,322 | +1,560 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.4% ±1.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.0% ±2.4 pts | 80.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.3% ±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5% ±1.1 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 13.6% ±1.9 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.1% ±2.0 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.2% ±1.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Hollister building?
Builders took permits for 155 new housing units in Hollister in 2025 (155 in single-family houses), 3.4 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 Hollister work and get to work?
74.1% of Hollister's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Hollister | San Benito County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.7% ±2.1 pts | 67.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% ±1.2 pts | 5.4% | −2.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.1% ±3.1 pts | 73.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.0% ±2.6 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9% ±1.6 pts | 11.8% | +7.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.6 min ±1.7 | 36.6 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 Hollister?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Hollister, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $84,360 (Tract 4) to $138,229 (Tract 6.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5.02San Benito County | 7,891 | $126,051 |
| Tract 4San Benito County | 6,241 | $84,360 |
| Tract 3San Benito County | 6,491 | $125,093 |
| Tract 5.01San Benito County | 5,576 | $132,383 |
| Tract 6.01San Benito County | 5,658 | $138,229 |
| Tract 7.02San Benito County | 6,651 | $109,516 |
| Tract 7.01San Benito County | 4,459 | $120,865 |
| Tract 6.02San Benito County | 4,024 | $133,750 |
| Tract 1San Benito County | 5,922 | $109,283 |
| Tract 2San Benito County | 6,748 | $110,427 |
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 Hollister) · Census block assignment files
How does Hollister compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Hollister is the 906th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 193rd-most populous of 483 in California.
Hollister ranks 342nd 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 | 193rd | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 22nd | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 230th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 342nd | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 610th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 416th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 450th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 595th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 722nd | 988 |
| Median age | 837th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 549th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 657th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 131st | 1,069 |
Hollister's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Hollister 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 Hollister?
5 of the 57 figures for Hollister 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 Hollister 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 Hollister.