City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Huntington Beach, CA

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

196,010
Residents
$119,885
Median income
$1,047,300
Median home
$3,236
Median rent (state)

Huntington Beach - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Huntington Beach places in the 87th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

87th
percentile, household income
97th
percentile, home value
98th
percentile, median rent
28th
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: Huntington Beach, CA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 196,010 residents in Huntington Beach, a mid-sized U.S. city within California. Median household income here is $119,885 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.6%. Home values in Huntington Beach run a median of $1,047,300, and the median resident age is 43.4 years. Educational attainment runs 47.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 62.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 423 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 156% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2196.5 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts California at 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $3,236 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Huntington Beach workers runs 23.1 minutes, with 70.6% driving alone and 19.4% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

196,010 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$119,885 /yr

Poverty 4.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Huntington Beach compare to other US cities?

Huntington Beach measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 87% higher than other cities
Home value 97% pricier than other cities
Median rent 98% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% 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, Huntington Beach ranks #276 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 Huntington Beach'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.

87thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

87th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Huntington Beach's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Huntington Beach'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Huntington Beach'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 Huntington Beach's home value compares nationally

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

$1,047,300 3rd percentile more affordable than 3% 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%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Huntington Beach $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 - Huntington Beach, CA Huntington Beach, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Huntington Beach, 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 Huntington Beach, CA median $119,885/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%
Huntington Beach, 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 Huntington Beach, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.5%

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

Population
196,010
Median Income
$119,885
Median Home Value
$1,047,300
Median Age
43.4
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Labor force participation
62.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2196.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
207.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1989.2
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
32
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
190,000 residents195,000 residents200,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 198,480 residents 191,451 residents ▼ -3.5%
Huntington Beach's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
423
housing units authorized
Single-Family
226
detached homes
Multifamily
197
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 165
2020 124
2021 162
2022 231
2023 591
2024 423

Permit volume increased 156% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.1 minutes
Drive Alone
70.6%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
19.4%
Other
1.4%

Based on 101,009 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 Huntington Beach sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,236/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Glendale
192,270 people
Oxnard
201,014 people
Moreno Valley
210,378 people
Fontana
211,921 people
Ontario
178,347 people
Elk Grove
177,221 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Huntington Beach's 196,010 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Overland Park, KS
197,199 people
Sioux Falls, SD
197,642 people
Peoria, AZ
194,338 people
Grand Rapids, MI
197,768 people
Knoxville, TN
193,721 people
Montgomery, AL
198,440 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Huntington Beach's $119,885 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Oswego, IL
$119,881 median income
Pingree Grove, IL
$119,880 median income
Aspinwall, PA
$119,875 median income
Sisco Heights, WA
$119,871 median income
League City, TX
$119,870 median income
Wabasso Beach, FL
$119,901 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Huntington Beach, 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 Huntington Beach, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.3% 12.6% 6.8% 14.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.4% White 64.3% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 12.6% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 6.8% Two or more races 14.1% 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 Huntington Beach 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
Huntington Beach (this city) 196,010 $119,885
Glendale 192,270 $84,262
Oxnard 201,014 $93,372
Moreno Valley 210,378 $87,477
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Huntington Beach, CA?

What is the population of Huntington Beach, CA? +

Huntington Beach, CA has a population of 196,010 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Huntington Beach, CA? +

The median household income in Huntington Beach is $119,885 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Huntington Beach? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Huntington Beach; 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 Huntington Beach, CA safe? +

Huntington Beach has a total crime rate of 2196.5 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 Huntington Beach, CA? +

The median home value in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300, 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

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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.