Population 21,075 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Arcata
Household size in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.18 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.31 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.19 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Arcata is a place of small households, averaging 2.19 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 29 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.4 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.0 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.7 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Arcata is young: half of its residents are under 32.7, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 31.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 64 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Arcata (10.4%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Arcata
Renters in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.5% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 64.7% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.9% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 60.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Arcata: 60.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 54.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 38 have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Arcata is close to the national rate: 9.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in California as a whole (7.3%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 1.6 points, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1971 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Arcata are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1971 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $944 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,018 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,128 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,543 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$599 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Arcata pays $1,543 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in California as a whole ($2,229). Rents are up $599 a month from 2006–10, a 63% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 38.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Arcata
Bachelor's degrees in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 47.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 48.1% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 44.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in Arcata than nationally: 44.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 4.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the northwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.6% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.5% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.9% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Arcata is above the national rate: 92.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Arcata
| Period | Arcata | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Arcata: 10.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 53 have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has risen 2.2 points, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Arcata compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcata | 2.19 | 32.7 | 10.4% | 60.6% | 9.3% | 1977 | $1,543 | 44.6% | 92.9% | 10.9% |
| Sunny Brae | 2.59 | 40.3 | 8.2% | 8.8% | 9.2% | 1978 | $2,658 | 59.9% | 99.0% | 4.1% |
| Bayside | 2.55 | 44.8 | 9.1% | 23.3% | 9.7% | 1970 | $1,884 | 54.4% | 95.7% | 5.6% |
| Mckinleyville | 2.57 | 40.7 | 12.0% | 37.4% | 9.2% | 1986 | $1,600 | 37.6% | 93.8% | 8.2% |
| Indianola | 2.45 | 48.1 | 5.0% | 15.2% | 7.5% | 1969 | $1,761 | 44.3% | 91.0% | 11.6% |
| Manila | 2.48 | 40.3 | 7.8% | 46.5% | 14.8% | 1957 | $1,580 | 38.9% | 90.0% | 5.9% |
| Blue Lake | 1.92 | 53.5 | 6.7% | 41.1% | 12.9% | 1971 | $1,227 | 38.0% | 96.2% | 17.3% |
| Fieldbrook | 2.17 | 52.0 | 4.2% | 21.9% | 10.6% | 1978 | $1,240 | 52.4% | 94.9% | 5.1% |
| Cutten | 2.84 | 38.3 | 14.3% | 40.2% | 7.9% | 1968 | $1,550 | 59.3% | 96.7% | 0.6% |
| Myrtletown | 2.50 | 45.6 | 9.0% | 27.0% | 10.1% | 1973 | $1,572 | 42.7% | 95.7% | 5.6% |
| Samoa | 2.48 | 40.3 | 7.8% | 46.5% | 14.8% | 1957 | $1,580 | 38.9% | 90.0% | 5.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Madison, IN · Hopkins, MN · Alpine, CA · Willow Spring, NC · Jasper, IN · Alum Rock, CA · Crestwood, KY · Hartford, WI · Westbury, NY · Baldwin, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Arcata. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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