County · California
Sierra County, California
Sierra County, California. Sierra County had 3,098 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). It holds 11 places (1 city, village or borough and 10 census-designated) and 1 census tract. GEOID 06091.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,098
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,236 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,746 ±239
Median household income
$63,355
±$21,034 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$331,900
±$47,477 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
not published
California: $2,036
How many people live in Sierra County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,236 residents in Sierra County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,098 for July 1, 2025, down 4.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 2,746 over 953 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sierra County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,746±239 | 39,287,377 | −294 |
| Households | 1,219±153 | 13,548,091 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.17±0.25 | 2.84 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,120±96 | 14,644,735 | −245 |
Sierra County's population since 2000
From 3,555 in 2000 to 3,098 in 2025: down 12.9%. 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 Sierra County?
Sierra County holds 11 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 10 census-designated places. The largest is Loyalton with 709 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| LoyaltonGEOID 0644364 | 740 | $65,556 |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra BrooksGEOID 0671774 | 467 | not published |
| DownievilleGEOID 0619794 | 290 | not published |
| SierravilleGEOID 0671848 | 239 | not published |
| Sierra CityGEOID 0671778 | 235 | $95,696 |
| CalpineGEOID 0610004 | 223 | not published |
| VerdiGEOID 0682334 | 179 | not published |
| PikeGEOID 0657036 | 159 | not published |
| Goodyears BarGEOID 0630420 | 69 | not published |
| SattleyGEOID 0670336 | 44 | not published |
| AlleghanyGEOID 0600982 | 30 | not published |
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 Sierra County?
The median resident of Sierra County is 54.7 years old; 14.5% are under 18 and 35.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.0%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sierra County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.7±6.7 | 37.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 14.5%±2.6 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 35.1%±3.5 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.0%±3.5 pts | 40.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.0%±5.0 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 15.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±2.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8%±2.0 pts | 27.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.7%±4.5 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6%±2.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.3%±5.2 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.7%±5.5 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±4.2 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.8%±7.3 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.1%±5.0 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0%±1.5 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 Sierra County earn?
Half of Sierra County's 1,219 households earn less than $63,355 a year (±$21,034), against $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $64,178 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart.
| Measure | Sierra County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,355±$21,034 | $99,122 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,457±$14,203 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,843±$7,079 | $49,513 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 4.4%±3.8 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0%±12.5 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±6.1 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.5%±11.1 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 Sierra County?
Owners occupy 72.1% of Sierra County's occupied homes and renters 27.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $331,900 by its owner (±$47,477).
| Measure | Sierra County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $331,900±$47,477 | $734,700 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.2%±17.6 pts | 46.0% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,125±$312 | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.1%±9.3 pts | 55.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,120±96 | 14,644,735 | −245 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.9%±1.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 92.9%±4.1 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.7%±2.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±2.0 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.2%±6.5 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 Sierra County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Sierra County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.3 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 Sierra County get to work?
69.2% of Sierra County's workers drive alone and 16.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 12.6%.
| Measure | Sierra County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.7%±7.7 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 12.6%±6.8 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 69.2%±10.7 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±6.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±3.8 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±2.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.8%±8.5 pts | 17.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.3 min±6.5 | 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 Sierra County's census tracts?
Sierra County is a single census tract.
| Tract 10006091010000 | 2,746±239 | $63,355 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Sierra County compare with California's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 57th of 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 48th of 58 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th of 58 |
| Median household income | 52nd of 58 |
| Median home value | 50th of 58 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29th of 58 |
| Median age | 2nd 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 Sierra 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.