Arcata, CA
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Arcata, California Summary

Life in Arcata research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Arcata over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Arcata:

  • The population in Arcata is 18,578.

  • The median home value in Arcata is $491,340.

  • The median income in Arcata is $48,731.

  • The cost of living in Arcata is 126 which is 1.3x higher than the national average.

  • The median rent in Arcata is $1,287.

  • The unemployment rate in Arcata is 13.2%.

  • The poverty rate in Arcata is 29.6%.

  • The average high in Arcata is 64.7° and the average low is 44.7°.

Arcata SnackAbility

5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
3/10
Housing
8.5
Affordability
2
Diversity
8.5
Safety
4
Amenities
8.5
Education
8.5
Commute
9

Arcata, CA Crime Report

Crime in Arcata summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Arcata. Key points include:

  • There were 434 total crimes in Arcata in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Arcata is 2,271.4 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Arcata is 507.7 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Arcata is 1,763.8 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Arcata is 7.18% above the national average.

434
Total Crimes
7.18%
Above National Average

Crime In Arcata Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Arcata
/ 100k People
California
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 434 2,271.4 2,564.5 2,119.2
Violent Crime 97 507.7 486.0 359.0
Murder 0 0.0 4.5 5.0
Robbery 23 120.4 119.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 60 314.0 325.8 256.0
Property Crime 337 1,763.8 2,078.4 1,760.0
Burglary 37 193.6 305.8 229.0
Larceny 272 1,423.6 1,345.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 28 146.5 427.5 259.0

Arcata, CA Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Arcata summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Arcata. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around California. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Arcata is 126 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Arcata is 1.3x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Arcata is $491,340.

  • The median income in Arcata is $48,731.

126
Arcata's Overall Cost Of Living
1.3x
Higher Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Arcata Comparison Table

Living Expense Arcata California National Average
Overall 126 141 100
Services 110 110 100
Groceries 109 112 100
Health 111 110 100
Housing 167 195 100
Transportation 120 125 100
Utilities 112 128 100

Arcata, CA Weather

  • The average high in Arcata is 64.7° and the average low is 44.7°.

  • There are 80.2 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 54.7 inches of precipitation each year with 3.0 inches of snow.

StatArcata
Average Annual High64.7
Average Annual Low44.7
Annual Precipitation Days80.2
Average Annual Precipitation54.7
Average Annual Snowfall3.0
64.7°
Average High
80.2
Days of Rain

Arcata, CA Photos

Arcata Farmers Market
Source: Wikipedia User Tony | CC BY 2.0
Arcata California Houses
Source: Wikipedia User Marina | CC BY 2.0
Arcata Plaza S
Source: Public Domain
Kinetic Sculpture Race  And Theyre Off
Source: Wikipedia User Christopher, Tania and Is | CC BY 2.0
Pythian Castle Arcata Ca
Source: Public Domain
Jacoby Storehouse Arcata Ca
Source: Public Domain
Arcata High March
Source: Wikipedia User Terrence McNally | CC BY 2.0
Humboldt State University Entrance
Source: Wikipedia User Adbar | CC BY-SA 3.0
Arcata Plaza
Source: Wikipedia User Terrence McNally | CC BY 2.0

Rankings for Arcata in California

Locations Around Arcata

Map Of Arcata, CA

Best Places Around Arcata

1

McKinleyville, CA
Population 17,152

2

Fortuna, CA
Population 12,413

3

Trinity, FL
Population 19,296

4

Eureka, CA
Population 26,302

Arcata Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Arcata

The current population in Arcata is 18,578. The population has increased 8.6% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 18,578 0.2%
2022 18,536 -2.6%
2021 19,038 4.2%
2020 18,266 0.5%
2019 18,178 0.7%
2018 18,050 1.3%
2017 17,814 0.2%
2016 17,775 0.1%
2015 17,752 0.4%
2014 17,679 0.7%
2013 17,559 0.8%
2012 17,421 1.8%
2011 17,118 0.1%
2010 17,100 -

Race / Ethnicity in Arcata

White
70.9% (13,176)
African American
2.1% (386)
American Indian
0.6% (109)
Asian
2.2% (412)
Hawaiian
0.5% (84)
Other
1.5% (279)
Two Or More
6.8% (1,270)
Hispanic
15.4% (2,862)

Arcata is:

  • 70.9% White with 13,176 White residents.

  • 2.1% African American with 386 African American residents.

  • 0.6% American Indian with 109 American Indian residents.

  • 2.2% Asian with 412 Asian residents.

  • 0.5% Hawaiian with 84 Hawaiian residents.

  • 1.5% Other with 279 Other residents.

  • 6.8% Two Or More with 1,270 Two Or More residents.

  • 15.4% Hispanic with 2,862 Hispanic residents.

Race Arcata CA USA
White 70.9% 34.6% 58.2%
African American 2.1% 5.3% 12.0%
American Indian 0.6% 0.3% 0.5%
Asian 2.2% 15.1% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.5% 0.3% 0.2%
Other 1.5% 0.5% 0.5%
Two Or More 6.8% 4.1% 3.9%
Hispanic 15.4% 39.8% 19.0%

Gender in Arcata

Female
51.5% (9,560)
Male
48.5% (9,018)
  • Arcata is 51.5% female with 9,560 female residents.

  • Arcata is 48.5% male with 9,018 male residents.

Gender Arcata CA USA
Female 51.5% 50.0% 50.5%
Male 48.5% 50.0% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Arcata for adults over 25

  • 2.0% of adults in Arcata completed < 9th grade.

  • 4.0% of adults in Arcata completed 9-12th grade.

  • 14.0% of adults in Arcata completed high school / ged.

  • 25.0% of adults in Arcata completed some college.

  • 10.0% of adults in Arcata completed associate's degree.

  • 28.0% of adults in Arcata completed bachelor's degree.

  • 12.0% of adults in Arcata completed master's degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in Arcata completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Arcata completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
2.0% (371)
9-12th Grade
4.0% (743)
High School / GED
14.0% (2,600)
Some College
25.0% (4,644)
Associate's Degree
10.0% (1,857)
Bachelor's Degree
28.0% (5,201)
Master's Degree
12.0% (2,229)
Professional Degree
3.0% (557)
Doctorate Degree
2.0% (371)
Education Arcata CA USA
< 9th Grade 2.0% 8.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 4.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 14.0% 20.0% 26.0%
Some College 25.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 10.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 28.0% 22.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 12.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 3.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Arcata, California

  • 10.8% of households in Arcata earn Less than $10,000.

  • 5.6% of households in Arcata earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 11.6% of households in Arcata earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 11.5% of households in Arcata earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 10.9% of households in Arcata earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 15.3% of households in Arcata earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 11.7% of households in Arcata earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 11.7% of households in Arcata earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 6.1% of households in Arcata earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 4.8% of households in Arcata earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
10.8% (200,331)
$10,000 to $14,999
5.6% (104,046)
$15,000 to $24,999
11.6% (216,339)
$25,000 to $34,999
11.5% (213,186)
$35,000 to $49,999
10.9% (202,999)
$50,000 to $74,999
15.3% (283,763)
$75,000 to $99,999
11.7% (217,794)
$100,000 to $149,999
11.7% (216,824)
$150,000 to $199,999
6.1% (113,262)
$200,000 or more
4.8% (89,252)
Income Arcata CA USA
Less than $10,000 10.8% 4.4% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 5.6% 3.0% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 11.6% 5.2% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 11.5% 5.5% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.9% 8.4% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 15.3% 13.3% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 11.7% 11.8% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 11.7% 17.9% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 6.1% 11.1% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 4.8% 19.4% 12.6%

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