Arcata, CA Demographics

A map of Arcata's Population by Race

Arcata, California has an estimated population of 18,607, a slight decrease from the 18,857 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.6% White, 16.0% Hispanic, 7.0% Multiracial, 3.0% Black, 2.4% Native American/Other, and 1.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Arcata, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Arcata has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Arcata, that probability was 53.8% in 2020 and 47.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Arcata is ranked the 368th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Arcata was ranked the 370th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Arcata's White Population

13,128 residents of Arcata, or 70.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Arcata is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Arcata ranks 685th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arcata's White population has grown by an estimated 8.1%. White residents' share of Arcata's population has increased from 64.4% to 70.6%.

Arcata is less White than neighboring Indianola (96.3% White), Blue Lake (89.3% White), McKinleyville (72.2% White), Manila (78.6% White), and Myrtletown (72.7% White).

Arcata's Black Population

554 residents of Arcata, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Arcata is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Arcata ranks 357th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arcata's Black population has grown by an estimated 15.7%. Black residents' share of Arcata's population has increased from 2.5% to 3.0%.

Arcata is more Black than neighboring Indianola (0% Black), Blue Lake (0% Black), McKinleyville (0.1% Black), Manila (0% Black), and Myrtletown (1.1% Black).

Arcata's Asian Population

204 residents of Arcata, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Arcata is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Arcata ranks 741st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arcata's Asian population has declined by an estimated 55.7%. Asian residents' share of Arcata's population has decreased from 2.4% to 1.1%.

Arcata is more Asian than neighboring Indianola (0% Asian), Blue Lake (0% Asian), and Manila (0% Asian). Arcata is less Asian than neighboring McKinleyville (2.4% Asian), and Myrtletown (4.7% Asian).

Arcata's Hispanic Population

2,982 residents of Arcata, or 16.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Arcata is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Arcata ranks 869th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arcata's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 20.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Arcata's population has decreased from 19.8% to 16.0%.

Arcata is more Hispanic than neighboring Indianola (0.9% Hispanic), Blue Lake (2.6% Hispanic), McKinleyville (11.1% Hispanic), and Myrtletown (11.6% Hispanic). Arcata is less Hispanic than neighboring Manila (18.3% Hispanic).

Arcata's Native American/Other Population

444 residents of Arcata, or 2.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Arcata is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Arcata ranks 209th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arcata's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 28.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Arcata's population has decreased from 3.3% to 2.4%.

Arcata is more Native American/Other than neighboring Indianola (1.8% Native American/Other), Manila (1% Native American/Other), and Myrtletown (0.6% Native American/Other). Arcata is less Native American/Other than neighboring Blue Lake (3% Native American/Other), and McKinleyville (2.9% Native American/Other).

Arcata's Multiracial Population

1,295 residents of Arcata, or 7.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Arcata is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Arcata ranks 188th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arcata's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Arcata's population has decreased from 7.5% to 7.0%.

Arcata is more Multiracial than neighboring Indianola (1.1% Multiracial), Blue Lake (5.1% Multiracial), and Manila (2.1% Multiracial). Arcata is less Multiracial than neighboring McKinleyville (11.2% Multiracial), and Myrtletown (9.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.