14,877,017
housing units in California
California had an estimated 14,877,017 housing units in 2024.
American Community Survey, 2024 ↗Updated October 1, 2026
California roofing and home statistics
A practical collection of current housing, wildfire, and energy-code figures for California roof projects.
The Big Picture
A large housing base, with high stakes for upkeep.
California has nearly 15 million housing units, and more than half are owner-occupied. For homeowners, roofing crews, and property professionals, a roof repair or replacement is a decision tied to a valuable asset, not a small maintenance task.
These figures give useful context for project planning and reporting. They are not a substitute for a site-specific roof inspection, material instructions, permit requirements, or insurance guidance.
Housing
California homes by the numbers.
55.8%
owner-occupied homes
An estimated 55.8% of occupied California homes were owner-occupied in 2024.
American Community Survey, 2024 ↗$759,500
median owner-occupied home value
The estimated statewide median value of owner-occupied homes was $759,500 in 2024.
American Community Survey, 2024 ↗$3,001
median monthly owner cost with a mortgage
Median selected monthly owner costs for homes with a mortgage were $3,001 in 2024.
American Community Survey, 2024 ↗Wildfire Context
Current conditions and recent fire-season figures.
Wildfire exposure is only one factor in roofing decisions, but it remains part of the broader risk picture for many California properties.
5,541
wildland fires year to date
California recorded 5,541 combined CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service wildland fires through September 21, 2026. This preliminary count is updated weekly.
CAL FIRE, September 21, 2026 ↗326,558
acres burned year to date
Those 2026 year-to-date fires had burned 326,558 acres through September 21, 2026. The figure is preliminary and may change as reports are updated.
CAL FIRE, September 21, 2026 ↗7,194
five-year average fires by this date
For the same point in the season, CAL FIRE reported a five-year average of 7,194 California wildland fires.
CAL FIRE, September 21, 2026 ↗8,232
wildfires recorded
CAL FIRE recorded 8,232 wildfires during the 2025 fire season.
CAL FIRE, 2025 ↗507,817
acres burned
The 2025 fire season burned 507,817 acres statewide.
CAL FIRE, 2025 ↗16,627
structures destroyed
CAL FIRE reported 16,627 structures destroyed during the 2025 fire season.
CAL FIRE, 2025 ↗Current Standard
January 1, 2026
California’s 2025 Energy Code applies to building permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. Roof work can involve different rules depending on the project scope, building type, climate zone, and local jurisdiction.
Read the California Energy Commission update ›Sources And Method
Built for clear citation.
The numbers on this page are reported exactly as published by the source named with each statistic. Source dates reflect the period each figure covers. Current-year wildfire counts are preliminary and updated weekly by CAL FIRE. This page was last updated October 1, 2026.
- Census Reporter: California, using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 data for housing, ownership, home-value, and owner-cost figures.
- CAL FIRE Statistics, California combined year-to-date wildfire and acres-burned figures, plus the comparable five-year average, updated September 21, 2026.
- CAL FIRE 2025 Fire Season Incident Archive, wildfire, acres-burned, and structure-loss figures.
- California Energy Commission: 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, current Energy Code effective date.
Need material for a repair or reroof? Start with the roof planning guide, then choose the yard closest to your job.