Downey, CA Demographics

A map of Downey's Population by Race

Downey, California has an estimated population of 110,939, a slight decrease from the 114,355 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.3% Hispanic, 11.8% White, 7.3% Asian, 3.4% Black, 1.5% Multiracial, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Downey, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Downey 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 Downey, that probability was 41.5% in 2020 and 41.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Downey is ranked the 60th 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). Downey was ranked the 58th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Downey's White Population

13,097 residents of Downey, or 11.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Downey is significantly lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Downey ranks 1404th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Downey's White population has declined by an estimated 8.9%. White residents' share of Downey's population has decreased from 12.6% to 11.8%.

Downey is more White than neighboring Bell Gardens (1.4% White), Paramount (4.1% White), Norwalk (10.3% White), and Cudahy (2.3% White). Downey is less White than neighboring Bellflower (13.9% White).

Downey's Black Population

3,762 residents of Downey, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Downey is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Downey ranks 283rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Downey's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.3%. Black residents' share of Downey's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Downey is more Black than neighboring Bell Gardens (0.6% Black), and Cudahy (0.4% Black). Downey is less Black than neighboring Bellflower (10.5% Black), Paramount (9.2% Black), and Norwalk (3.8% Black).

Downey's Asian Population

8,080 residents of Downey, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Downey is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Downey ranks 402nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Downey's Asian population has grown by an estimated 10.5%. Asian residents' share of Downey's population has increased from 6.4% to 7.3%.

Downey is more Asian than neighboring Bell Gardens (0.6% Asian), Paramount (3.7% Asian), and Cudahy (0.1% Asian). Downey is less Asian than neighboring Bellflower (11.3% Asian), and Norwalk (12.9% Asian).

Downey's Hispanic Population

83,493 residents of Downey, or 75.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Downey is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Downey ranks 194th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Downey's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Downey's population has remained roughly unchanged at 75.3%.

Downey is more Hispanic than neighboring Bellflower (60.4% Hispanic), and Norwalk (70.4% Hispanic). Downey is less Hispanic than neighboring Bell Gardens (97.1% Hispanic), Paramount (81.3% Hispanic), and Cudahy (97.1% Hispanic).

Downey's Native American/Other Population

788 residents of Downey, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Downey is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Downey ranks 978th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Downey's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 33.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Downey's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Downey is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bell Gardens (0.1% Native American/Other), Paramount (0.5% Native American/Other), and Cudahy (0.1% Native American/Other). Downey is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bellflower (0.9% Native American/Other), and Norwalk (1.4% Native American/Other).

Downey's Multiracial Population

1,719 residents of Downey, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Downey is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Downey ranks 1403rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Downey's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Downey's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Downey is more Multiracial than neighboring Bell Gardens (0.2% Multiracial), Paramount (1.3% Multiracial), Norwalk (1.2% Multiracial), and Cudahy (0% Multiracial). Downey is less Multiracial than neighboring Bellflower (3.1% 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.