Whittier, CA Demographics

A map of Whittier's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	57,840	61,803	67.1%	70.8%
White	19,150	18,018	22.2%	20.6%
Asian	4,448	3,967	5.2%	4.5%
Multiracial	1,955	1,694	2.3%	1.9%
Native American/Other	1,776	810	2.1%	0.9%
Black	996	1,014	1.2%	1.2%

Whittier, California has an estimated population of 86,165, a slight decrease from the 87,306 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 67.1% Hispanic, 22.2% White, 5.2% Asian, 2.3% Multiracial, 2.1% Native American/Other, and 1.2% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Whittier, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Whittier has become more 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 Whittier, that probability was 45.4% in 2020 and 49.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Whittier is ranked the 98th 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). Whittier was ranked the 97th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Whittier's White Population

19,150 residents of Whittier, or 22.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Whittier is considerably lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Whittier ranks 1292nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Whittier's White population has grown by an estimated 6.3%. White residents' share of Whittier's population has increased from 20.6% to 22.2%.

Whittier is more White than neighboring South Whittier (11.9% White), Rose Hills (17.6% White), West Whittier-Los Nietos (6.8% White), and Hacienda Heights (11% White). Whittier is less White than neighboring East Whittier (25% White).

Whittier's Black Population

996 residents of Whittier, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Whittier is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Whittier ranks 660th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Whittier's Black population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. Black residents' share of Whittier's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Whittier is more Black than neighboring South Whittier (1% Black), West Whittier-Los Nietos (0.3% Black), and Hacienda Heights (1% Black). Whittier is less Black than neighboring Rose Hills (6.8% Black), and East Whittier (3.9% Black).

Whittier's Asian Population

4,448 residents of Whittier, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Whittier is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Whittier ranks 508th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Whittier's Asian population has grown by an estimated 12.1%. Asian residents' share of Whittier's population has increased from 4.5% to 5.2%.

Whittier is more Asian than neighboring West Whittier-Los Nietos (3.1% Asian). Whittier is less Asian than neighboring South Whittier (7% Asian), Rose Hills (13% Asian), East Whittier (9% Asian), and Hacienda Heights (42.1% Asian).

Whittier's Hispanic Population

57,840 residents of Whittier, or 67.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Whittier is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Whittier ranks 232nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Whittier's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 6.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Whittier's population has decreased from 70.8% to 67.1%.

Whittier is more Hispanic than neighboring Rose Hills (56.3% Hispanic), East Whittier (57% Hispanic), and Hacienda Heights (43.7% Hispanic). Whittier is less Hispanic than neighboring South Whittier (78.6% Hispanic), and West Whittier-Los Nietos (89% Hispanic).

Whittier's Native American/Other Population

1,776 residents of Whittier, 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 Whittier is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Whittier ranks 1086th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Whittier's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 119.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Whittier's population has increased from 0.9% to 2.1%.

Whittier is more Native American/Other than neighboring South Whittier (0.7% Native American/Other), Rose Hills (1.9% Native American/Other), West Whittier-Los Nietos (0.6% Native American/Other), and Hacienda Heights (0.5% Native American/Other). Whittier is less Native American/Other than neighboring East Whittier (2.4% Native American/Other).

Whittier's Multiracial Population

1,955 residents of Whittier, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Whittier is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Whittier ranks 1334th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Whittier's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 15.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Whittier's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.3%.

Whittier is more Multiracial than neighboring South Whittier (0.9% Multiracial), West Whittier-Los Nietos (0.4% Multiracial), and Hacienda Heights (1.6% Multiracial). Whittier is less Multiracial than neighboring Rose Hills (4.5% Multiracial), and East Whittier (2.7% 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.