Census-designated place · Maryland
California, Maryland
California, census-designated place, in St. Mary's County, Maryland. California had 13,136 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±1,056). GEOID 2412150.
Residents, 2020-2024
13,136
±1,056 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 12,947
Median household income
$119,855
±$16,219 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$346,800
±$13,664 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$1,927
±$161 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
Where is California and what county is it in?
California is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in St. Mary's County, Maryland. It covers 12.9 square miles of land, 1,006 residents per square mile in 2020.
California is in the Lexington Park, MD metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in California, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts California's population at 13,136 (±1,056). The 2020 Census counted 12,947 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; California is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | California | St. Mary's County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,136 ±1,056 | 115,126 | −1,679 |
| Households | 5,294 ±429 | 42,436 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.47 ±0.15 | 2.65 | −0.20 |
| Housing units | 5,689 ±425 | 46,385 | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in California?
The median resident of California is 35.0 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 13.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 57.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 22.2%. 6.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | California | St. Mary's County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.0 ±2.0 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2% ±2.9 pts | 23.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.7% ±2.2 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Male | 53.2% ±2.9 pts | 50.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.0% ±3.9 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 57.4% ±5.3 pts | 70.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 22.2% ±4.7 pts | 14.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.3% ±2.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.5% ±2.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.4% ±2.0 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.2% ±2.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 18.9% ±2.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| With a disability | 11.5% ±2.7 pts | 11.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.4% ±1.3 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1% ±2.3 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 43.8% ±4.9 pts | 36.5% | +6.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.7% ±3.5 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.1% ±3.9 pts | 87.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.6% ±3.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in California earn?
Half of California's 5,294 households earn less than $119,855 a year (±$16,219), against $119,446 in St. Mary's County and $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 it was $104,227 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | California | St. Mary's County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $119,855 ±$16,219 | $119,446 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $146,962 ±$16,593 | $142,976 | – |
| Per capita income | $60,197 ±$6,886 | $53,417 | +$12,444 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.9% ±3.7 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.2% ±7.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.9% ±3.3 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.1% ±1.3 pts | 95.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.9% ±2.5 pts | 93.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in California?
Owners occupy 62.9% of California's occupied homes and renters 37.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $346,800 by its owner (±$13,664). The median renter pays $1,927 a month including utilities, and 23.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | California | St. Mary's County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $346,800 ±$13,664 | $407,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,927 ±$161 | $1,747 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.7% ±10.7 pts | 37.8% | −15.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,980 ±$103 | $2,268 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.9% ±5.5 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.1% ±5.5 pts | 26.8% | – |
| Housing units | 5,689 ±425 | 46,385 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4% ±2.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0% ±4.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.9% ±5.7 pts | 72.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.4% ±5.2 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.2% ±1.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.5% ±1.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in California work and get to work?
73.9% of California's workers drive alone and 18.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.7 minutes.
| Measure | California | St. Mary's County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 75.0% ±3.1 pts | 68.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.1% ±1.6 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.9% ±4.5 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.1% ±2.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.2% ±3.8 pts | 17.5% | +14.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.7 min ±2.8 | 29.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in California?
1 census tract lies mostly in California, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8760.04St. Mary's County | 7,315 | $114,970 |
| Tract 8758.03St. Mary's County | 5,854 | $111,964 |
| Tract 8760.01St. Mary's County | 5,380 | $84,722 |
| Tract 8760.03St. Mary's County | 3,760 | $132,589 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in California) · Census block assignment files
How does California compare with other places in Maryland?
California ranks 140th of 322 places in Maryland with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 113th | 326 |
| Residents per square mile | 263rd | 326 |
| Median household income | 140th | 322 |
| Per capita income | 92nd | 326 |
| Median home value | 230th | 323 |
| Median gross rent | 111th | 288 |
| Poverty rate | 145th | 230 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 133rd | 325 |
| Median age | 282nd | 326 |
| Owner-occupied share | 229th | 323 |
| Work from home | 152nd | 293 |
| Travel time to work | 292nd | 325 |
California's figures with every place in Maryland (CSV)
Every place in Maryland, sortable · Compare California with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for California?
13 of the 57 figures for California on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for California are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.