City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Lancaster, CA

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

170,013
Residents
$76,083
Median income
$409,100
Median home
$2,601
Median rent (state)

Lancaster - the verdict

Lancaster ranks in the 57th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

57th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
93rd
percentile, median rent
19th
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: Lancaster, CA

Lancaster is a mid-sized U.S. city in California, home to 170,013 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $76,083 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.3%. Lancaster's housing stock carries a median value of $409,100, and the median resident age is 34.2 years. About 20.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 50.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 897 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 248% from five years earlier. Lancaster's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2755.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, above 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: 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 $2,601 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 28.5 minutes, with 74.8% driving alone and 9.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 100.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

170,013 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$76,083 /yr

Poverty 12.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Lancaster compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 93% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at California, Lancaster ranks #343 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Lancaster'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.

57thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lancaster's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lancaster'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 30 Avg. percentile National median
Lancaster'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 Lancaster's home value compares nationally

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

$409,100 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $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. Lancaster $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 - Lancaster, CA Lancaster, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, CA median $76,083/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%
Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.8%

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

Population
170,013
Median Income
$76,083
Median Home Value
$409,100
Median Age
34.2
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Labor force participation
50.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2755.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
834.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1920.6
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
45
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
166,000 residents168,000 residents170,000 residents172,000 residents174,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 173,175 residents 170,084 residents ▼ -1.8%
Lancaster's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
897
housing units authorized
Single-Family
570
detached homes
Multifamily
327
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 258
2020 348
2021 677
2022 184
2023 689
2024 897

Permit volume increased 248% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.5 minutes
Drive Alone
74.8%
Carpool
11.3%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
9.4%
Other
2.0%

Based on 64,415 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 Lancaster sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,601/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
100.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Garden Grove
170,603 people
Oceanside
172,542 people
Palmdale
165,487 people
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693 people
Santa Rosa
177,216 people
Elk Grove
177,221 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lancaster's 170,013 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fort Collins, CO
169,705 people
Pembroke Pines, FL
170,557 people
Springfield, MO
169,432 people
Clarksville, TN
171,897 people
Bayamón zona urbana, PR
167,312 people
Salem, OR
176,666 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lancaster's $76,083 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Early, IA
$76,083 median income
Park River, ND
$76,080 median income
Linwood, PA
$76,077 median income
Lena, IL
$76,076 median income
Newport, NC
$76,091 median income
Kawela Bay, HI
$76,094 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.5% 21.4% 15.3% 22.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 45.9% White 35.5% Black or African American 21.4% Asian 4.0% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 15.3% Two or more races 22.3% 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 Lancaster 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
Lancaster (this city) 170,013 $76,083
Garden Grove 170,603 $90,166
Oceanside 172,542 $93,724
Palmdale 165,487 $81,151
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lancaster, CA?

What is the population of Lancaster, CA? +

170,013 people live in Lancaster, CA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Lancaster runs $76,083, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lancaster? +

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

Lancaster has a total crime rate of 2755.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Lancaster, CA? +

A typical home in Lancaster is worth $409,100, 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.