Berkeley, CA Demographics

A map of Berkeley's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	59,992	62,450	49.9%	50.2%
Asian	24,473	24,701	20.4%	19.9%
Hispanic	15,343	17,018	12.8%	13.7%
Multiracial	9,652	9,069	8.0%	7.3%
Black	9,284	9,495	7.7%	7.6%
Native American/Other	1,513	1,588	1.3%	1.3%

Berkeley, California has an estimated population of 120,257, a decrease from the 124,321 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 49.9% White, 20.4% Asian, 12.8% Hispanic, 8.0% Multiracial, 7.7% Black, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Berkeley, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Berkeley is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is 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 Berkeley, that probability was 67.8% in 2020 and 68.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Berkeley is ranked the 53rd 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). Berkeley was ranked the 51st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Berkeley's White Population

59,992 residents of Berkeley, or 49.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Berkeley is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Berkeley ranks 933rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkeley's White population has declined by an estimated 3.9%. White residents' share of Berkeley's population has remained roughly unchanged at 49.9%.

Berkeley is more White than neighboring Emeryville (31% White), Albany (43% White), and El Cerrito (44.1% White). Berkeley is less White than neighboring Kensington (67.2% White), and East Richmond Heights (56.3% White).

Berkeley's Black Population

9,284 residents of Berkeley, or 7.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Berkeley is slightly higher than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Berkeley ranks 126th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkeley's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.2%. Black residents' share of Berkeley's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.7%.

Berkeley is more Black than neighboring Albany (3.4% Black), Kensington (2.4% Black), El Cerrito (5.2% Black), and East Richmond Heights (5.4% Black). Berkeley is less Black than neighboring Emeryville (19.2% Black).

Berkeley's Asian Population

24,473 residents of Berkeley, or 20.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Berkeley is higher than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Berkeley ranks 134th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkeley's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Berkeley's population has increased from 19.9% to 20.4%.

Berkeley is more Asian than neighboring Kensington (11.3% Asian), and East Richmond Heights (10.8% Asian). Berkeley is less Asian than neighboring Emeryville (31.4% Asian), Albany (31.2% Asian), and El Cerrito (28.3% Asian).

Berkeley's Hispanic Population

15,343 residents of Berkeley, or 12.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Berkeley is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Berkeley ranks 1087th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkeley's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 9.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Berkeley's population has decreased from 13.7% to 12.8%.

Berkeley is more Hispanic than neighboring Emeryville (11.6% Hispanic), Albany (12.2% Hispanic), and Kensington (6% Hispanic). Berkeley is less Hispanic than neighboring El Cerrito (14.8% Hispanic), and East Richmond Heights (19% Hispanic).

Berkeley's Native American/Other Population

1,513 residents of Berkeley, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Berkeley is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Berkeley ranks 762nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkeley's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Berkeley's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Berkeley is more Native American/Other than neighboring Kensington (0.9% Native American/Other), El Cerrito (0.8% Native American/Other), and East Richmond Heights (0% Native American/Other). Berkeley is less Native American/Other than neighboring Emeryville (2.6% Native American/Other), and Albany (1.5% Native American/Other).

Berkeley's Multiracial Population

9,652 residents of Berkeley, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Berkeley is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Berkeley ranks 221st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkeley's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Berkeley's population has increased from 7.3% to 8.0%.

Berkeley is more Multiracial than neighboring Emeryville (4.3% Multiracial), and El Cerrito (6.8% Multiracial). Berkeley is less Multiracial than neighboring Albany (8.8% Multiracial), Kensington (12.2% Multiracial), and East Richmond Heights (8.5% 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.