City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Torrance, CA

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

143,499
Residents
$113,105
Median income
$1,036,600
Median home
$2,601
Median rent (state)

Torrance - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Torrance places in the 84th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

84th
percentile, household income
97th
percentile, home value
93rd
percentile, median rent
15th
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: Torrance, CA

143,499 people live in Torrance, California - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Torrance households earn a median of $113,105 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.7%. Typical homes in Torrance are valued around $1,036,600, and the median resident age is 43.1 years. Educational attainment runs 53.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 91 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 12% from five years earlier. Torrance's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3087.0 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 63.0°F with 13.6 inches of precipitation per year.

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,601 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 100.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

143,499 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$113,105 /yr

Poverty 4.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Torrance compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 84% higher than other cities
Home value 97% pricier than other cities
Median rent 93% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% 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, Torrance ranks #366 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 Torrance'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.

84thIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

84th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Torrance's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Torrance'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
Torrance'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 Torrance's home value compares nationally

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

$1,036,600 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. Torrance $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 - Torrance, CA Torrance, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Torrance, 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 Torrance, CA median $113,105/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%
Torrance, 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 Torrance, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 53.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.7%

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

Population
143,499
Median Income
$113,105
Median Home Value
$1,036,600
Median Age
43.1
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Labor force participation
60.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
53.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3087.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
311.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2775.8
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
63.0°F
Annual Precipitation
13.6"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
34
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
135,000 residents140,000 residents145,000 residents150,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 146,426 residents 138,391 residents ▼ -5.5%
Torrance's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
91
housing units authorized
Single-Family
89
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 81
2020 69
2021 72
2022 397
2023 156
2024 91

Permit volume increased 12% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.1%
Carpool
6.2%
Public Transit
1.1%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
18.5%
Other
2.1%

Based on 68,734 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 Torrance 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

Visalia
142,649 people
Fullerton
141,278 people
Orange
138,723 people
Pomona
148,391 people
Escondido
149,913 people
Pasadena
136,462 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Torrance's 143,499 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gainesville, FL
143,611 people
Olathe, KS
143,720 people
McAllen, TX
143,789 people
Thornton, CO
142,878 people
Waco, TX
141,925 people
Syracuse, NY
146,211 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Torrance's $113,105 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Berkley, MI
$113,103 median income
Londonderry, NH
$113,109 median income
Urbandale, IA
$113,086 median income
Trinity, FL
$113,125 median income
Oakwood Hills, IL
$113,125 median income
Devens, MA
$113,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Torrance, 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 Torrance, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 36.4% 38.7% 7.8% 13.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.3% White 36.4% Black or African American 3.5% Asian 38.7% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 7.8% Two or more races 13.0% 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 Torrance 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
Torrance (this city) 143,499 $113,105
Visalia 142,649 $79,952
Fullerton 141,278 $104,219
Orange 138,723 $116,945
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Torrance, CA?

What is the population of Torrance, CA? +

143,499 people live in Torrance, CA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Torrance runs $113,105, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Torrance? +

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

Torrance has a total crime rate of 3087.0 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 Torrance, CA? +

Torrance's median home value sits at $1,036,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Torrance? +

Torrance has an average annual temperature of 63.0°F, 13.6 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.