City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Malibu, CA

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

10,516
Residents
$192,159
Median income
$2,000,001
Median home
$2,693
Median rent (state)

Malibu - the verdict

Nationally, Malibu sits in the 98th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

98th
percentile, household income
99th
percentile, home value
94th
percentile, median rent
6th
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: Malibu, CA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 10,516 residents in Malibu, a small town within California. Median household income here is $192,159 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.3%. Malibu's housing stock carries a median value of $2,000,001, and the median resident age is 50.7 years. Educational attainment runs 71.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 49.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 30 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 53% from five years earlier. Malibu's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4260.1 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: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,693 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

10,516 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$192,159 /yr

Poverty 8.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Malibu compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 98% higher than other cities
Home value 99% pricier than other cities
Median rent 94% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Malibu ranks #415 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Malibu'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.

98thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

98th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Malibu's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Malibu'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 36 Avg. percentile National median
Malibu'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 Malibu's home value compares nationally

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

$2,000,001 1st percentile more affordable than 1% 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. Malibu $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 - Malibu, CA Malibu, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Malibu, 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 Malibu, CA median $192,159/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%
Malibu, 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 Malibu, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 71.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.4%

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

Population
10,516
Median Income
$192,159
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Age
50.7
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor force participation
49.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
71.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4260.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
639.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3620.6
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,000 residents9,500 residents10,000 residents10,500 residents11,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,628 residents 9,574 residents ▼ -9.9%
Malibu's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
30
housing units authorized
Single-Family
30
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 64
2020 150
2021 88
2022 54
2023 34
2024 30

Permit volume decreased 53% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
52.8%
Carpool
4.0%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
39.2%
Other
1.7%

Based on 4,297 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 Malibu sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,693/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Delhi
10,525 people
Golden Hills
10,445 people
Crestline
10,431 people
Garden Acres
10,417 people
Blackhawk
10,404 people
Potomac Park
10,634 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Malibu's 10,516 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Riverdale, IL
10,515 people
Raceland, LA
10,517 people
Fairmount, CO
10,521 people
New Albany, OH
10,524 people
Beverly Hills, MI
10,507 people
Plymouth, IN
10,506 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Malibu's $192,159 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Manhasset Hills, NY
$192,198 median income
Wilmette, IL
$192,300 median income
Broomes Island, MD
$191,944 median income
Pinecrest, FL
$192,477 median income
Centerport, NY
$192,530 median income
Santa Fe Foothills, NM
$192,630 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Malibu, 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 Malibu, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.8% 11.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.3% White 80.8% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 3.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.9% Two or more races 11.4% 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 Malibu 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
Malibu (this city) 10,516 $192,159
Delhi 10,525 $66,306
Golden Hills 10,445 $94,654
Crestline 10,431 $79,378
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Malibu, CA?

What is the population of Malibu, CA? +

Malibu, CA counts 10,516 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Malibu is $192,159 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Malibu? +

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

Malibu has a total crime rate of 4260.1 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 Malibu, CA? +

Homes in Malibu carry a median value of $2,000,001, 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.