County · California
Madera County, California
Madera County, California. Madera County had 167,927 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.5% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. It holds 17 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 15 census-designated) and 34 census tracts. GEOID 06039.
Madera County is one of the 2 counties of the Fresno, CA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
167,927
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 156,255 · ACS 2020-2024: 160,940
Median household income
$76,627
±$3,129 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$393,200
±$7,593 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,390
±$42 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
How many people live in Madera County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 156,255 residents in Madera County. The Census Bureau estimates 167,927 for July 1, 2025, up 7.5% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 160,940 over 2,137 square miles of land.
| Measure | Madera County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 160,940 | 39,287,377 | +5,507 |
| Households | 45,379±608 | 13,548,091 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.41±0.05 | 2.84 | +0.13 |
| Housing units | 51,015±65 | 14,644,735 | +338 |
Madera County's population since 2000
From 123,109 in 2000 to 167,927 in 2025: up 36.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Madera County?
Madera County holds 17 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 15 census-designated places. The largest is Madera with 69,017 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Madera | 66,224 | $63,933 |
|---|---|---|
| Chowchilla | 19,039 | $66,514 |
| Madera Acres | 9,162 | $78,457 |
| Oakhurst | 5,945 | $82,056 |
| Bonadelle Ranchos | 5,497 | $132,723 |
| Yosemite Lakes | 5,022 | $97,813 |
| Coarsegold | 4,144 | $80,861 |
| Madera Ranchos | 3,623 | $126,583 |
| North Fork | 3,250 | $71,619 |
| Parksdale | 3,234 | $51,587 |
| Parkwood | 2,307 | $61,645 |
| Ahwahnee | 2,296 | $77,391 |
| Fairmead | 1,235 | $46,680 |
| Rolling Hills, Madera CountyGEOID 0662625 | 793 | $156,406 |
| La VinaGEOID 0640872 | 637 | $22,745 |
| Bass LakeGEOID 0604198 | 575 | $133,964 |
| NipinnawaseeGEOID 0651470 | 434 | $75,495 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Madera County?
The median resident of Madera County is 34.6 years old; 27.1% are under 18 and 14.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 60.9%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 29.9%. 20.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Madera County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.6±0.2 | 37.9 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 27.1%±0.1 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.4%±0.1 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 60.9% | 40.2% | +3.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 29.9%±0.3 pts | 33.8% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.2 pts | 15.3% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.4 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 20.1%±1.0 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 45.7%±1.3 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7%±0.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.2%±0.9 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.4%±0.8 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 73.1%±1.2 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.9%±1.1 pts | 37.1% | +3.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±0.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 Madera County earn?
Half of Madera County's 45,379 households earn less than $76,627 a year (±$3,129), against $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $70,870 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,757 after inflation. 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Madera County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,627±$3,129 | $99,122 | +$5,757 |
| Mean household income | $100,809±$4,703 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,077±$1,310 | $49,513 | +$1,952 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.2%±1.7 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.1%±3.5 pts | 15.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.7%±1.3 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.0%±1.2 pts | 93.5% | – |
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 Madera County?
Owners occupy 67.5% of Madera County's occupied homes and renters 32.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $393,200 by its owner (±$7,593). The median renter pays $1,390 a month including utilities, and 47.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Madera County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $393,200±$7,593 | $734,700 | +$84,050 |
| Median gross rent | $1,390±$42 | $2,036 | +$142 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.2%±3.8 pts | 46.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,052±$73 | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.5%±1.6 pts | 55.9% | +3.4 pts |
| Housing units | 51,015±65 | 14,644,735 | +338 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5%±1.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.0%±1.1 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.1%±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.1%±0.7 pts | 8.9% | – |
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 many new homes is Madera County building?
Builders took permits for 1,247 new housing units across Madera County in 2025 (1,144 single-family), 7.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Madera County get to work?
71.8% of Madera County's workers drive alone and 9.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.1%.
| Measure | Madera County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.4%±0.9 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.1%±1.2 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.8%±1.7 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.6%±1.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.7%±1.2 pts | 17.2% | +6.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.9 min±1.1 | 28.7 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 are Madera County's census tracts?
Madera County is divided into 34 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,667 (Tract 8.01) to $133,030 (Tract 5.09).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Madera County compare with California's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 32nd of 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 4th of 58 |
| Residents per square mile | 35th of 58 |
| Median household income | 34th of 58 |
| Median home value | 39th of 58 |
| Median gross rent | 34th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 49th of 58 |
| Median age | 49th of 58 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Madera County 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.