South Dos Palos (formerly Dos Palos Station) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Merced County, California, United States. It is located southwest of Dos Palos at an elevation of . The population was 1,747 at the 2020 census, up from 1,620 at the 2010 census.
South Dos Palos is located near the southeastern border of Merced County at . It is bordered to the north by the city of Dos Palos. California State Route 33 forms the eastern edge of the community, leading north and west to Los Banos and southeast to Firebaugh. Merced, the county seat, is to the northeast via State Routes 33, 152, and 59.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the South Dos Palos CDP has a total area of , all of it land.
The South Dos Palos post office opened in 1906. It is home to Koda Farms, a Japanese rice company known for its historically innovative practices.
The 2020 United States census reported that South Dos Palos had a population of 1,747. The population density was . The racial makeup of South Dos Palos was 716 (41.0%) White, 109 (6.2%) African American, 51 (2.9%) Native American, 14 (0.8%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 593 (33.9%) from other races, and 264 (15.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,470 persons (84.1%).
The whole population lived in households. There were 438 households, out of which 244 (55.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 224 (51.1%) were married-couple households, 34 (7.8%) were cohabiting couple households, 103 (23.5%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 77 (17.6%) had a male householder with no partner present. 47 households (10.7%) were one person, and 24 (5.5%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.99. There were 369 families (84.2% of all households).
The age distribution was 621 people (35.5%) under the age of 18, 164 people (9.4%) aged 18 to 24, 451 people (25.8%) aged 25 to 44, 343 people (19.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 168 people (9.6%) who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 29.2years. For every 100 females, there were 108.2 males.
There were 465 housing units at an average density of , of which 438 (94.2%) were occupied. Of these, 250 (57.1%) were owner-occupied, and 188 (42.9%) were occupied by renters.
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $55,288, and the per capita income was $23,153. About 36.6% of families and 35.2% of the population were below the poverty line.
The 2010 United States census reported that South Dos Palos had a population of 1,620. The population density was . The racial makeup of South Dos Palos was 809 (49.9%) White, 135 (8.3%) African American, 21 (1.3%) Native American, 36 (2.2%) Asian, 10 (0.6%) Pacific Islander, 552 (34.1%) from other races, and 57 (3.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,262 persons (77.9%).
The Census reported that 1,620 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 426 households, out of which 257 (60.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 228 (53.5%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 106 (24.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 36 (8.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 36 (8.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 2 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 47 households (11.0%) were made up of individuals, and 14 (3.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.80. There were 370 families (86.9% of all households); the average family size was 4.02.
The population was spread out, with 601 people (37.1%) under the age of 18, 197 people (12.2%) aged 18 to 24, 403 people (24.9%) aged 25 to 44, 315 people (19.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 104 people (6.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.
There were 488 housing units at an average density of , of which 242 (56.8%) were owner-occupied, and 184 (43.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 10.7%. 966 people (59.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 654 people (40.4%) lived in rental housing units.
In the state legislature, South Dos Palos is in , and in .
In the United States House of Representatives, South Dos Palos is in .