Arcata ZIP Code List — Humboldt County, CA

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Arcata, California. Area code: 707.

ZIP codes

60.38

sq mi land

11.15

sq mi water

707

area code

Arcata, CA ZIP code map

About Arcata, CA

Arcata, California, is a charming city located in Humboldt County, nestled along the beautiful Northern California coastline. Known for its rich history and vibrant arts scene, Arcata is also home to California's oldest community forest. The city is a gateway to stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, forests, and the iconic Redwood National and State Parks.

Location & geography

Arcata is situated in Humboldt County, close to the coast of California and surrounded by a diverse mix of terrain. Neighboring cities include Eureka, approximately 11 miles to the south, and McKinleyville, about 8 miles to the north, both offering additional amenities and attractions. With a total land area of 120.76 square miles and a water area of 22.29 square miles, Arcata features lush green hills and a picturesque coastline that enhances its scenic beauty.

Community & economy

The community of Arcata is known for its progressive culture, attracting artists, students, and environmentally conscious residents. The economy is bolstered by various industries, including education, tourism, and sustainable practices, with Humboldt State University playing a crucial role in local life. Residents enjoy an active lifestyle with plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities, cultural events, and community gatherings that enhance daily life in the city.

Transportation

Major highways serving Arcata include U.S. Route 101, which runs north-south along the coast, providing easy access to neighboring towns and cities. The closest airport is the Arcata-Eureka Airport, located about 6 miles south of the city, offering regional flights. Public transportation options are available, linking residents to surrounding areas and supporting local transit needs.

History

Arcata was founded in the mid-19th century and has since evolved from a trading post to a lively city known for its timber and fishing industries. Notable events include the establishment of Humboldt State University in 1913, which has significantly shaped the city's educational landscape. The city’s commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness continues to define its growth and development into the present day.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Arcata is that it hosts the Arcata Plaza, one of the largest public squares in California, which serves as a central hub for community events and markets. Additionally, Arcata is recognized for its unique commitment to environmental sustainability, having declared itself a 'Sanctuary City' for the environment.

ZIP codes for Arcata, CA (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
95518	Arcata	Humboldt	View map
95521	Arcata	Humboldt	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,712

Population

28.0

Median age

$47,764

Median household income

$28,907

Per capita income

$441,900

Median home value

$1,251

Median monthly rent

37.1%

Home ownership

31.5%

Poverty rate

12.7%

Unemployment

4,218

Housing units

45.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

333

Under 5

319

347

5–9

331

526

10–14

503

1,167

15–19

1,114

2,406

20–24

2,298

1,934

25–34

1,848

1,177

35–44

1,125

798

45–54

762

365

55–59

349

625

60–64

596

1,036

65–74

989

240

75–84

229

151

85+

144

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,924	13.5%
18 and over	18,788	86.5%
65 and over	2,789	12.8%
Median age	28.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 64.6%

Hispanic or Latino 11.5%

Two or more races 9.8%

Other race 6.6%

Asian 3%

Black or African American 2.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	15,839	64.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2,812	11.5%
Two or more races	2,407	9.8%
Other race	1,617	6.6%
Asian	740	3%
Black or African American	648	2.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	317	1.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	144	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 9.9%

$10k–$15k 7.1%

$15k–$25k 11.7%

$25k–$35k 11.6%

$35k–$50k 11.5%

$50k–$75k 15.7%

$75k–$100k 10.0%

$100k–$150k 12.6%

$150k–$200k 5.7%

$200k+ 4.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.9%
$10k–$15k	7.1%
$15k–$25k	11.7%
$25k–$35k	11.6%
$35k–$50k	11.5%
$50k–$75k	15.7%
$75k–$100k	10.0%
$100k–$150k	12.6%
$150k–$200k	5.7%
$200k+	4.2%
Median income	$47,764

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.6%

$50k–$100k 6.3%

$100k–$150k 1.0%

$150k–$200k 1.0%

$200k–$300k 9.8%

$300k–$500k 37.4%

$500k–$1M 35.2%

$1M+ 4.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$441,900
Median rent / month	$1,251
Owner occupied	37.1%
Renter occupied	62.9%
Vacant	10.1%
Single-family detached	52.7%
Large apartment buildings	6.8%
Mobile homes	5.4%
Median rooms	4.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.24

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	7.0%
2000–2009	7.6%
1990–1999	10.7%
1980–1989	15.0%
1970–1979	17.1%
1960–1969	11.0%
1950–1959	13.7%
1940–1949	7.8%
1939 or earlier	9.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	7.5%
1 bedroom	17.6%
2 bedrooms	31.5%
3 bedrooms	34.1%
4 bedrooms	6.5%
5+ bedrooms	2.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.4%
1 vehicle	45.1%
2 vehicles	32.3%
3 or more	16.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	60.6%
Electricity	22.8%
Propane / LP gas	5.0%
Fuel oil	0.5%
Wood	5.7%
Solar	2.4%
No fuel used	1.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,052	23.5%
Cohabiting couple	1,293	14.8%
Male householder, no spouse	2,500	28.6%
Female householder, no spouse	2,891	33.1%
Households with children under 18	1,697	19.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,167	24.8%
Average household size	2.30

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	68.1%	57.9%
Married	21.0%	23.1%
Separated	1.4%	1.8%
Widowed	1.8%	5.1%
Divorced	7.6%	12.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.6%

HS graduate 13.1%

Some college, no degree 24.4%

Associate's degree 10.6%

Bachelor's degree 26.9%

Graduate / professional 18.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.6%
Bachelor's or higher	45.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	104	1.2%
Kindergarten	214	2.5%
Elementary school	1,444	16.7%
High school	726	8.4%
College / grad school	6,144	71.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.6%

Retail trade 14.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 14.1%

Professional & management 10.1%

Public administration 6.4%

Construction 6.3%

Other services 6.1%

Manufacturing 4.1%

Transportation & utilities 3.6%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.8%
Service	21.3%
Sales & office	22.5%
Natural resources & construction	7.6%
Production & transportation	11.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	67.2%
Government	22.0%
Self-employed	10.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	61.5%
Carpool	8.4%
Public transit	3.0%
Walk	10.7%
Other means	3.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.6

Poverty

All people 31.5%

Under 18 years 26.6%

18 and over 32.3%

Married-couple families 1.9%

Female-led households 35.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	22.3%
Retirement income	21.2%
Supplemental Security	7.9%
Cash public assistance	2.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	23.1%
High cholesterol	23.2%
Heart disease	4.8%
Stroke	2.4%
Asthma	11.9%
Arthritis	17.8%
Kidney disease	2.4%
Pulmonary disease	6.3%
Cancer	4.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.8%
No physical activity	18.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.0%
Fair or poor health	14.0%
Poor mental health	18.9%
Poor physical health	10.2%
No health insurance	10.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	64.1%
Visited dentist	59.8%
Cholesterol screening	83.9%
Teeth loss	13.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	679	3.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.7%
Under 18	8.2%
18–64 years	13.2%
65 and over	30.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.4%
Public insurance	47.5%
Uninsured under 19	3.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	21,060	97.0%
Spanish	586	2.8%
Other Indo-European	132	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	243	1.2%
Other languages	211	1.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,158	92.8%
Born in same state	19,954	91.9%
Born in different state	14,631	67.4%
Foreign born	204	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	1,554	7.2%
Not a US citizen	859	55.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,454	11.3%
French	1,929	8.9%
English	469	2.2%
Arab	427	2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	372	1.7%
Dutch	218	1%
German	61	0.3%
Irish	31	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.2%
Internet access	96.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Arcata, CA?

Arcata, CA has one ZIP code: 95521.

What is the main ZIP code for Arcata, CA?

The primary ZIP code for Arcata, CA is 95521. The city uses area code 707 for phone service.

What county is Arcata, CA in?

Arcata is located in Humboldt County, California.

How many ZIP codes are in Arcata, CA?

Arcata, CA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the Humboldt State University campus and the surrounding university district in Arcata?

Humboldt State University and the university district in Arcata are located in ZIP code 95521, which encompasses the main campus area on the hillside overlooking the city.

What is the ZIP code for Arcata Plaza, the historic downtown square and civic center of Arcata?

Arcata Plaza and the downtown commercial district are located in ZIP code 95521, the city's primary and only ZIP code serving all of Arcata.