Sierra County Demographics

A map of Sierra County's Population by Race

Sierra County, California has an estimated population of 2,746, a large decrease from the 3,236 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.0% White, 11.0% Hispanic, 2.1% Native American/Other, 0.7% Multiracial, 0.3% Black, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sierra County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sierra 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 Sierra County, that probability was 33.0% in 2020 and 24.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sierra County is ranked the 57th most populous county in California, out of 58 counties. Sierra County was ranked the 57th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Sierra County's White Population

2,362 residents of Sierra County, or 86.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sierra County is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Sierra County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's White population has declined by an estimated 9.7%. White residents' share of Sierra County's population has increased from 80.8% to 86.0%.

Sierra County is more White than neighboring Nevada County (80.7% White), Plumas County (80.8% White), Placer County (65.5% White), El Dorado County (73.1% White), and Carson County (62.1% White).

Sierra County's Black Population

8 residents of Sierra County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sierra County is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Sierra County ranks 58th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Black population has grown by an estimated 14.3%. Black residents' share of Sierra County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Sierra County is less Black than neighboring Plumas County (1% Black), Placer County (1.6% Black), El Dorado County (0.8% Black), and Carson County (1.7% Black).

Sierra County's Asian Population

0 residents of Sierra County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sierra County is significantly lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Sierra County ranks 58th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Sierra County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Sierra County is less Asian than neighboring Nevada County (1.6% Asian), Plumas County (0.8% Asian), Placer County (9.1% Asian), El Dorado County (5.2% Asian), and Carson County (2.4% Asian).

Sierra County's Hispanic Population

301 residents of Sierra County, or 11.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sierra County is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Sierra County ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 20.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Sierra County's population has decreased from 11.7% to 11.0%.

Sierra County is more Hispanic than neighboring Nevada County (10.7% Hispanic), and Plumas County (10.3% Hispanic). Sierra County is less Hispanic than neighboring Placer County (15.7% Hispanic), El Dorado County (14.5% Hispanic), and Carson County (26.4% Hispanic).

Sierra County's Native American/Other Population

57 residents of Sierra County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sierra County is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Sierra County ranks 37th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 29.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sierra County's population has increased from 1.4% to 2.1%.

Sierra County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Nevada County (1% Native American/Other), Plumas County (1.9% Native American/Other), Placer County (1% Native American/Other), El Dorado County (1% Native American/Other), and Carson County (1.6% Native American/Other).

Sierra County's Multiracial Population

18 residents of Sierra County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sierra County is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Sierra County ranks 17th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 90.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Sierra County's population has decreased from 5.7% to 0.7%.

Sierra County is less Multiracial than neighboring Nevada County (5.7% Multiracial), Plumas County (5.3% Multiracial), Placer County (7.2% Multiracial), El Dorado County (5.5% Multiracial), and Carson County (5.8% 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.