Arcata, California
City in Humboldt County, California · ZIP 95521, 95524
- Humboldt County
- Census data · ACS 2019-2023
- 11 public schools
- 18,748 (2024 estimate)Population
- 7,660Households
- $48,731Median household income
- $466,600Median home value
- 11Public schools
- 2ZIP codes
About Arcata
This page shows only what has been published about Arcata: Census facts with their sources first, then its businesses, jobs, events, people in public roles, housing and questions as they are added. Nothing here is written by the town government.
Town intelligenceOfficial sources, refreshed yearly
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 16,651 |
| 2010 | 17,231 |
| 2020 | 18,857 |
As counted at each census, within the boundaries the area had then; the current estimate is in the glance card.
Sources: Census 2000 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2010 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2020 Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171): total population, place level, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Median household income $48,731 · Share of households by income, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table S1901.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year subject table S1901 (household income) 2019–2023, place level, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Owner occupied
- 2,597 units
- Renter occupied
- 5,063 units
- Vacancy rate
- 8.5%
Occupied housing units by tenure and the share of all units vacant, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table DP04.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026.
| Measure | Arcata | Humboldt County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,578 | 135,418 | 39,242,785 |
| Median household income | $48,731 | $61,135 | $96,334 |
| Median age | 28.0 | 39.6 | 37.6 |
| Median home value | $466,600 | $418,800 | $695,400 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 45.1% | 32.1% | 36.5% |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.2% | 6.4% | 26.7% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 33.9% | 56.3% | 55.8% |
| Mean commute to work | 18.2 minutes | 19.2 minutes | 29.0 minutes |
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026.
CommunityRules and moderation
Events in ArcataAll events
No upcoming event is listed in Arcata yet. Members and businesses add events from the Events page; each is screened before it shows.
Schools
| School | Type | Grades | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcata Elementary | Public | K–5 | Arcata Elementary |
| Coastal Grove Charter | Charter | K–8 | Coastal Grove Charter District |
| Fuente Nueva Charter | Charter | K–5 | Fuente Nueva Charter District |
| Jacoby Creek | Public | K–8 | Jacoby Creek Elementary |
| Pacific Union Elementary | Public | K–8 | Pacific Union Elementary |
| Union Street Charter | Charter | K–5 | Union Street Charter District |
| Sunny Brae Middle | Public | 6–8 | Arcata Elementary |
| Arcata High | Public | 9–12 | Northern Humboldt Union High |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy | Charter | 6–12 | Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy District |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) | Alternative | 9–12 | Northern Humboldt Union High |
| Laurel Tree Charter | Charter | K–12 | Laurel Tree Charter District |
Open public schools in the NCES directory for 2023–2024, placed by their listed location; private schools are not in the source. Enrollment and ratings are not shown.
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data, public school directory 2023–2024, retrieved November 14, 2026; NCES EDGE public school geocodes 2024–2025, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Legislative districts
| Chamber | District |
|---|---|
| U.S. House of Representatives | Congressional District 2 (CA-2) |
| State legislature, lower chamber | Assembly District 2 |
| State legislature, upper chamber | State Senate District 2 |
Boundaries from the Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line district files, matched to Arcata’s own boundary. Who holds each seat appears on the People page once the official records are approved.
Sources: Census cartographic boundaries 2025: congressional districts, 119th Congress, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census cartographic boundaries 2025: state legislative districts, upper chamber, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census cartographic boundaries 2025: state legislative districts, lower chamber, state 06, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Frequently asked about ArcataPromoted from questions people asked
No question about Arcata has been asked often enough to publish an answer yet. Ask Arcata and the answer, once a person checks it, appears here.
Nearby towns
- IndianolaCensus designated place
- Blue LakeCity
- ManilaCensus designated place
- MyrtletownCensus designated place
- EurekaCity
- McKinleyvilleCensus designated place
- SamoaCensus designated place
- CuttenCensus designated place
- FieldbrookCensus designated place
- FairhavenCensus designated place
Other towns in Humboldt County
- AlderpointCensus designated place
- BayviewCensus designated place
- BenbowCensus designated place
- Big LagoonCensus designated place
- Blue LakeCity
- CuttenCensus designated place
- EurekaCity
- FairhavenCensus designated place
- FerndaleCity
- FieldbrookCensus designated place