City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Parlier, CA

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

14,545
Residents
$50,910
Median income
$236,100
Median home
$1,664
Median rent (state)

Parlier - the verdict

Nationally, Parlier sits in the 21st percentile for household income and the 35th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

21st
percentile, household income
52nd
percentile, home value
66th
percentile, median rent
35th
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: Parlier, CA

Parlier is a small town in California, home to 14,545 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Parlier brings in $50,910 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 27.1%. Home values in Parlier run a median of $236,100, and the median resident age is 27.0 years. About 4.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 14 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 73% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 1864.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, near 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 $1,664 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

14,545 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$50,910 /yr

Poverty 27.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Parlier compare to other US cities?

Here's how Parlier stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 52% pricier than other cities
Median rent 66% pricier than other cities
Safety 35% 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, Parlier ranks #211 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

Each percentile compares Parlier against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Parlier's strongest outlier among California cities

Among the 1,450 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Parlier ranks #99 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Parlier only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,175 of 1,338
12th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#929 of 1,458
33rd percentile in California
Median Home Value
#1,192 of 1,343
11th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#99 of 1,450
93rd percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,338 of 1,458
8th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

21stIncome percentile
35thSafety percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income · 35th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Parlier's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Parlier'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 32 Avg. percentile National median
Parlier'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 Parlier's home value compares nationally

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

$236,100 48th percentile more affordable than 48% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. Parlier $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 - Parlier, CA Parlier, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Parlier, 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 Parlier, CA median $50,910/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%
Parlier, 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 Parlier, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 4.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 27.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.7%

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

Population
14,545
Median Income
$50,910
Median Home Value
$236,100
Median Age
27.0
Poverty Rate
27.1%
Labor force participation
56.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
4.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1864.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
897.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
966.8
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
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,500 residents14,550 residents14,600 residents14,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,573 residents 14,622 residents ▲ +0.3%
Parlier's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
14
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 52
2020 0
2021 3
2022 12
2023 10
2024 14

Permit volume decreased 73% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.2%
Carpool
23.9%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
0.7%

Based on 5,543 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 Parlier sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,664/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Cherryland
14,575 people
Red Bluff
14,592 people
Salida
14,457 people
Livingston
14,450 people
Alamo
14,441 people
California City
14,821 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Parlier's 14,545 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Moultrie, GA
14,545 people
Nolensville, TN
14,545 people
Edgewater, NJ
14,544 people
Reidsville, NC
14,547 people
Key Biscayne, FL
14,560 people
Clarkston, GA
14,560 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Parlier's $50,910 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wheatfields, AZ
$50,909 median income
West Union, IA
$50,909 median income
Lodi, NY
$50,909 median income
New London, TX
$50,909 median income
Suring, WI
$50,909 median income
La Villa, TX
$50,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Parlier, 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 Parlier, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.0% 44.0% 20.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 97.9% White 35.0% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 44.0% Two or more races 20.1% 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 Parlier 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
Parlier (this city) 14,545 $50,910
Cherryland 14,575 $84,858
Red Bluff 14,592 $50,216
Salida 14,457 $91,990
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Parlier, CA?

What is the population of Parlier, CA? +

14,545 people live in Parlier, CA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Parlier households earn a median of $50,910 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Parlier? +

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

Parlier has a total crime rate of 1864.1 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 Parlier, CA? +

The median home value in Parlier is $236,100, 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

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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.