City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Stockton, CA

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

320,470
Residents
$76,851
Median income
$412,900
Median home
$1,742
Median rent (state)

Stockton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Stockton places in the 58th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
71st
percentile, median rent
9th
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: Stockton, CA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 320,470 residents in Stockton, a mid-sized U.S. city within California. Stockton households earn a median of $76,851 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.4%. Home values in Stockton run a median of $412,900, and the median resident age is 33.7 years. 19.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 56.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 527 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 14% from five years earlier. Stockton's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3785.4 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,742 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). Workers in Stockton report an average commute of 29.9 minutes, with 76.7% driving alone and 6.8% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

320,470 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$76,851 /yr

Poverty 12.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Stockton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 71% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% 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, Stockton ranks #404 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 Stockton 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 sits close to the middle of California's city distribution

Among the 1,450 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Stockton ranks #382 - the 73rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Stockton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#830 of 1,338
38th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#842 of 1,458
41st percentile in California
Median Home Value
#845 of 1,343
37th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#382 of 1,450
73rd percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#931 of 1,458
36th 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.

58thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Stockton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Stockton'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
Stockton'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 Stockton's home value compares nationally

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

$412,900 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. Stockton $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 - Stockton, CA Stockton, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Stockton, 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 Stockton, CA median $76,851/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%
Stockton, 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 Stockton, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.2%

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

Population
320,470
Median Income
$76,851
Median Home Value
$412,900
Median Age
33.7
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Labor force participation
56.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3785.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1145.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2639.6
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
123
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
320,000 residents322,000 residents324,000 residents326,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 320,890 residents 324,597 residents ▲ +1.2%
Stockton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
527
housing units authorized
Single-Family
527
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 464
2020 736
2021 855
2022 493
2023 491
2024 527

Permit volume increased 14% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
29.9 minutes
Drive Alone
76.7%
Carpool
13.3%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
6.8%
Other
1.0%

Based on 131,546 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 Stockton sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,742/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Riverside
316,241 people
Santa Ana
311,639 people
Irvine
308,160 people
Anaheim
344,553 people
Chula Vista
275,030 people
Bakersfield
408,366 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Stockton's 320,470 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

San Juan zona urbana, PR
320,691 people
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
321,122 people
Corpus Christi, TX
317,383 people
Henderson, NV
324,523 people
Orlando, FL
311,732 people
Cincinnati, OH
309,595 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Stockton's $76,851 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Abernathy, TX
$76,850 median income
Edwardsville, KS
$76,847 median income
Columbus, IN
$76,856 median income
Plaquemine, LA
$76,857 median income
Holiday Lake, IA
$76,863 median income
Ketchikan, AK
$76,835 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Stockton, 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 Stockton, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 26.6% 11.6% 21.1% 18.7% 20.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 45.2% White 26.6% Black or African American 11.6% Asian 21.1% American Indian 1.5% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 18.7% Two or more races 20.0% 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 Stockton 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
Stockton (this city) 320,470 $76,851
Riverside 316,241 $88,575
Santa Ana 311,639 $88,354
Irvine 308,160 $129,647
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Stockton, CA?

What is the population of Stockton, CA? +

320,470 people live in Stockton, CA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Stockton, the typical household earns $76,851 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Stockton? +

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

Stockton has a total crime rate of 3785.4 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 Stockton, CA? +

A typical home in Stockton is worth $412,900, 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.