Population 143,878 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Pasadena
Household size in Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.56 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.59 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Pasadena run small, averaging 2.42 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has dropped from 2.56 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
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 Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.4 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.9 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.5 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.9 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Pasadena skews a little older than the country: its median age is 41.9, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 38.4 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Pasadena than nationally: 9.0%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points, as it has nationally.
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 Pasadena
Renters in Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.0% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.9% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 57.5% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 56.5% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Pasadena rent: 56.5% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 32.5% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Pasadena as nationally: 9.2%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the wider Los Angeles area (6.7%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 0.7 points, even as the national rate fell.
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 Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1960 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Pasadena is a place of older homes: half were built before 1960, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the north. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 47 have older homes.
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 Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,342 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,474 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,875 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,366 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,024 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Pasadena pays $2,366 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,024 a month from 2006–10, a 76% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 32.3% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the center.
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 Pasadena
Bachelor's degrees in Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.0% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 49.0% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.8% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 55.7% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Pasadena is highly educated: more than half of adults 25 and older (55.7%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.7 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the south 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 Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.7% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.4% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.3% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.8% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Pasadena is close to the national rate: 89.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in the Los Angeles area overall (82.1%). The share with a diploma has risen 6.1 points since 2006–10, as it has 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 Pasadena
| Period | Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in Pasadena is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the wider Los Angeles area (6.7%). Unemployment is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Pasadena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | 2.42 | 41.9 | 9.0% | 56.5% | 9.2% | 1960 | $2,366 | 55.7% | 89.8% | 5.5% |
| San Marino | 3.08 | 46.7 | 7.8% | 19.6% | 13.7% | 1947 | $3,424 | 83.5% | 97.3% | 5.9% |
| Altadena | 2.79 | 46.6 | 10.5% | 20.2% | 6.4% | 1945 | $2,724 | 53.3% | 92.3% | 7.2% |
| Kinneloa Mesa | 2.80 | 49.2 | 1.7% | 9.7% | 4.2% | 1964 | $3,190 | 71.9% | 98.7% | 2.8% |
| East Pasadena | 2.65 | 44.6 | 7.1% | 27.7% | 11.9% | 1951 | $2,180 | 58.6% | 89.7% | 4.3% |
| South Pasadena | 2.57 | 41.1 | 8.6% | 55.8% | 7.8% | 1952 | $2,460 | 73.4% | 96.9% | 5.4% |
| San Gabriel | 3.03 | 43.9 | 11.8% | 48.4% | 8.9% | 1960 | $2,133 | 38.9% | 82.9% | 6.2% |
| Sierra Madre | 2.40 | 45.7 | 10.1% | 44.2% | 6.8% | 1960 | $2,333 | 64.4% | 97.2% | 2.2% |
| Alhambra | 2.69 | 42.6 | 9.5% | 58.9% | 7.7% | 1961 | $1,995 | 41.3% | 84.1% | 5.3% |
| La Canada Flintridge | 3.15 | 44.0 | 4.5% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 1957 | $3,088 | 75.6% | 97.8% | 4.8% |
| Arcadia | 2.91 | 44.7 | 8.8% | 40.3% | 9.1% | 1968 | $2,299 | 54.6% | 91.1% | 5.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Eugene, OR · Euless, TX · College Station, TX · Delray Beach, FL · Corpus Christi, TX · Des Moines, IA · Decatur, IL · Conway, AR · Decatur, GA · Des Plaines, IL
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 Pasadena. 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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