Atwater, CA Demographics

A map of Atwater's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	19,232	19,042	59.8%	59.6%
White	8,408	8,788	26.1%	27.5%
Asian	2,137	1,684	6.6%	5.3%
Multiracial	1,032	1,118	3.2%	3.5%
Black	975	1,001	3.0%	3.1%
Native American/Other	378	337	1.2%	1.1%

Atwater, California has an estimated population of 32,162, a less than 1% change from the 31,970 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 59.8% Hispanic, 26.1% White, 6.6% Asian, 3.2% Multiracial, 3.0% Black, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Atwater, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Atwater is about as racially diverse as it was in 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 Atwater, that probability was 56.5% in 2020 and 56.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Atwater is ranked the 254th 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). Atwater was ranked the 258th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Atwater's White Population

8,408 residents of Atwater, or 26.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Atwater is lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Atwater ranks 1215th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Atwater's White population has declined by an estimated 4.3%. White residents' share of Atwater's population has decreased from 27.5% to 26.1%.

Atwater is more White than neighboring Winton (12.4% White), Franklin CDP (Merced County) (13% White), and Merced (21.1% White). Atwater is less White than neighboring McSwain (49.8% White), and Cressey (58.5% White).

Atwater's Black Population

975 residents of Atwater, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Atwater is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Atwater ranks 315th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Atwater's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. Black residents' share of Atwater's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Atwater is more Black than neighboring Winton (1.5% Black), McSwain (0% Black), and Cressey (0% Black). Atwater is less Black than neighboring Franklin CDP (Merced County) (6% Black), and Merced (4.6% Black).

Atwater's Asian Population

2,137 residents of Atwater, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Atwater is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Atwater ranks 460th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Atwater's Asian population has grown by an estimated 26.9%. Asian residents' share of Atwater's population has increased from 5.3% to 6.6%.

Atwater is more Asian than neighboring Winton (2.5% Asian), and Cressey (0% Asian). Atwater is less Asian than neighboring McSwain (15.2% Asian), Franklin CDP (Merced County) (21.8% Asian), and Merced (9.4% Asian).

Atwater's Hispanic Population

19,232 residents of Atwater, or 59.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Atwater is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Atwater ranks 322nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Atwater's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Atwater's population has remained roughly unchanged at 59.8%.

Atwater is more Hispanic than neighboring McSwain (31.4% Hispanic), Franklin CDP (Merced County) (58% Hispanic), and Cressey (36.5% Hispanic). Atwater is less Hispanic than neighboring Winton (82.7% Hispanic), and Merced (60.1% Hispanic).

Atwater's Native American/Other Population

378 residents of Atwater, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Atwater is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Atwater ranks 959th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Atwater's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 12.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Atwater's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Atwater is more Native American/Other than neighboring Winton (0.3% Native American/Other), and Franklin CDP (Merced County) (0% Native American/Other). Atwater is less Native American/Other than neighboring McSwain (1.8% Native American/Other), and Cressey (2.3% Native American/Other).

Atwater's Multiracial Population

1,032 residents of Atwater, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Atwater is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Atwater ranks 1091st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Atwater's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 7.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Atwater's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.2%.

Atwater is more Multiracial than neighboring Winton (0.6% Multiracial), McSwain (1.8% Multiracial), Franklin CDP (Merced County) (1.2% Multiracial), and Cressey (2.6% Multiracial). Atwater is less Multiracial than neighboring Merced (3.6% 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.