What the Torrance, CA, Population Means for Buyers and Sellers

The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimate puts the Torrance, CA population at 138,391 residents.

Key takeaway

Torrance's population is roughly flat, so homes stay scarce because owners rarely sell, not because the city is growing. That pressure lands hardest on houses: 49.4% of single-family homes sold above list in the 90 days ending September 30, 2026. For more room to negotiate, start with condos and townhouses.

Who this guide is for

You're sizing up Torrance before a move or a sale and want to know whether its population trend should change how you shop for or price a home.

What is the population of Torrance, CA?

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 138,391 residents as of July 1, 2025. The headcount has barely moved, but housing stays tight because supply comes from owner turnover, not growth.

Latest population estimate

The California Department of Finance also models population, with different methods and dates, so its figures vary slightly. Both trail real life by a year or more, so cite each with its date.

2020 Census count

The April 2020 count recorded 147,067 residents, the baseline every later estimate is modeled from.

Change since 2010

The 2010 Census counted 145,438 residents. Population grew about 1.1% by 2020, then fell roughly 5.9% in the latest estimate. Small yearly swings can sit inside the margin of error, so don't read a trend into one year.

Land area and density

The city covers 20.52 square miles, a density of 7,167.7 people per square mile in 2020. With little open land, new homes mostly come from redevelopment, not new subdivisions. That average includes large industrial and commercial districts, so residential streets are denser than it suggests.

Housing units and ownership

The owner-occupied housing unit rate was 55.0% for 2020 to 2024. Owners who stay put mean relatively few homes change hands in a given year.

Rank among Los Angeles County cities

Torrance ranks among the most populous cities in Los Angeles County, based on California Department of Finance estimates. Compare housing costs directly when weighing Torrance vs Los Angeles.

Population outlook

Regional agencies project modest growth over the coming decades. Those forecasts are planning targets, so supply relief depends on what gets built.

Torrance population by zip code

ZIP code areas don't follow city limits, so a mailing address doesn't guarantee a home is inside Torrance; the guide to Torrance ZIP codes and neighborhoods has the full mapping. Check boundaries on the Census ZCTA map, and confirm a home is inside city limits on the LA County Assessor portal before counting on city services.

90501: Old Torrance and Central Torrance

This central ZIP covers the original downtown. The 2019-2023 American Community Survey estimates its population at 43,990. Much of the housing is older bungalow stock, so budget time and money for inspections and age-related repairs.

90502: East Torrance

This eastern ZIP appears to reach beyond Torrance city limits into neighboring jurisdictions, so a ZIP-wide headcount overstates the number of city residents.

90503: West Torrance

This western ZIP includes several established residential tracts. ZIP figures are five-year ACS averages, so recent changes won't show up yet.

90504: North Torrance

This ZIP covers the northern and northwestern sections of the city.

90505: South Torrance

This ZIP takes in Walteria, Seaside Ranchos, and other southern neighborhoods. Near the southern and western edges, mailing addresses and city lines don't always match.

How population affects the Torrance housing market

Despite the flat population, the market stays tight: 176 homes for sale and 2 months of supply leave sellers with the edge citywide. Inventory, not headcount, is the number to follow in Torrance housing market trends.

A built-out city with little room to add homes

For the 2021-2029 planning cycle, Torrance was assigned a target of 4,939 new housing units, and the city identified 464 candidate housing sites to accommodate it across all income levels. Ask the Torrance Community Development Department which projects are permitted or under construction.

How long owners stay

Census data on when owners moved in shows how slowly homes turn over. Long stays partly reflect California property tax rules, which can make moving expensive for long-time owners, so listings stay scarce even when prices soften.

Why the citywide median fell

The citywide median sale price for all homes was $1,174,441 in the 90 days ending September 30, 2026, down 4.9% from a year earlier. Most of that drop comes from townhouse declines and the mix of what sold. Single-family prices dipped just 0.8%, so the headline drop is not a discount on detached houses.

Single-family home market in Torrance

Detached houses are the most competitive segment. The median single-family sale price was $1,329,470 in the 90 days ending September 30, 2026, based on 177 sales. With only 88 houses for sale, a well-priced house tends to draw fast, aggressive offers.

How fast houses sell

Houses spend a median of 29 days on the market, with 1.5 months of supply. Tour early, have your documents ready, and don't count on time to think it over.

How often buyers pay over asking

Houses close slightly above list, at a 101.3% sale-to-list ratio, so the list price is more often a floor than a ceiling. About half of houses did not sell above list, so an over-asking offer isn't automatic. Judge each house against its recent comparable sales.

What this means if you are buying a house

Get a fully documented pre-approval before you start touring. Competing can mean shorter contingency periods, so weigh that risk with your lender and real estate agent before waiving anything.

What this means if you are selling a house

Thin competition helps you, but buyers still compare properties closely. House prices have been nearly flat over the year, so price to recent sales; an overpriced listing can still sit despite low supply.

Condo and townhouse market in Torrance

Attached units give buyers the most time and room to negotiate. Longer market times leave room to review homeowner association documents and compare recent sales without feeling rushed.

Condos

Condos have the most supply of any property type, at 3.9 months. Only 23.5% sold above list, so buyers have room to ask for repairs, credits, or a longer escrow. Condo prices still edged up over the year, so expect to bargain on terms more than on price.

Townhouses

Townhouse prices fell the most of any attached type: the median dropped 4.7% year over year on 49 sales, and 27% sold above list. That offers a more realistic opening position than houses do. One quarter's drop on so few sales can reverse quickly, so don't count on further declines.

Condo or townhouse: cost per square foot

A townhouse costs about the same per square foot as a condo: $613 versus $609. Both sit well below the $824 single-family median, so they often buy more space per dollar. Price per square foot leaves out HOA dues, age, and land, so compare the full monthly cost.

HOA dues and FHA approval

Dues, reserves, and FHA status vary by complex, and dues add to every monthly payment. Ask the HOA for current dues, what they cover, and the latest reserve study. If you plan to use an FHA loan, search HUD's FHA condo approval list.

How to narrow your search in Torrance

The market figures on this page are citywide, so ask for ZIP-level listing and sales data for the areas on your shortlist.

Do you need a detached house?

If yes, read the single-family home market section and plan for a fast, near-list offer. If not, attached homes give you more room to negotiate terms.

Is your budget under $900K?

Both the $692,929 condo median and the $871,510 townhouse median sit below that line, so start there and use the per-square-foot comparison to choose between them. Half of sales close above a median, and HOA dues reduce how much price your monthly budget can cover.

Do you need time to negotiate?

Condos sit longest, at a median 51 days, followed by townhouses at 40, while houses move fastest. A unit that has sat a while may have a pricing or HOA problem, so ask why before assuming it's a bargain.

Schools and commutes in Torrance

A home's exact address determines both its school assignment and its practical drive time.

Schools

Torrance Unified School District's online School Locator shows school assignment by home address. Assignments can change, so check it for any home you're considering.

Commutes and getting around

Getting around Torrance depends on which freeway you need to reach, so drive your commute at peak hours before you commit to a neighborhood.

At a glance

All homes: median sale price $1,174,441, down 4.9% year over year, 266 sales (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
All homes: 176 homes for sale, 2 months of supply, median 34 days on market (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
All homes: 100.7% sale-to-list, 40.8% sold above list, median $717 per sq ft (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Single family: median sale price $1,329,470, down 0.8% year over year, 177 sales (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Single family: median 29 days on market, 1.5 months of supply, 88 for sale, 101.3% sale-to-list, 49.4% sold above list, $824 per sq ft (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Condo: median sale price $692,929, up 2.7% year over year, based on 35 sales (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Condo: median 51 days on market, 3.9 months of supply, 44 for sale, 99% sale-to-list, 23.5% sold above list, $609 per sq ft (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Townhouse: median sale price $871,510, down 4.7% year over year, based on 49 sales (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Townhouse: median 40 days on market, 2.2 months of supply, 35 for sale, 99.9% sale-to-list, 27% sold above list, $613 per sq ft (90 days ending 2026-09-30)

Torrance population FAQs

Is Torrance, CA a wealthy area?

Home prices point that way. The citywide median runs about $717 per square foot, single-family houses close well above the citywide median, and condos offer a lower entry point.

How far is Torrance from downtown Los Angeles?

Third-party mapping sites put it at roughly 18 to 20 miles, or about 22 to 30 minutes, though peak-hour times vary widely by route and start point.

How has Torrance's population changed since it was founded?

Torrance grew from 1,800 residents at its 1921 incorporation to more than 7,000 by 1930, as a planned industrial city.

Is Torrance, CA in LA County or Orange County?

Torrance is in Los Angeles County, in the South Bay region.

Is Torrance considered part of the city of Los Angeles?

No. Torrance is a separately incorporated city with its own city government and police department.

Is Torrance, CA safe?

Crime data for the city comes from the Torrance Police Department and the FBI Crime Data Explorer. Read rates per resident over a stated period.