Alpine, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alpine, California had a total population of 15,180, the 402nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $108,660, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.0x the median household income.
Alpine Quick Facts
How Alpine Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,470 | 15,180 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $111,723 | $108,660 | -2.7% |
| Median home value | $810,000 | $864,000 | +6.7% |
How Alpine Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alpine Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Diego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 1,389,526 | $108,077 | 11.0% | $906,700 |
| Chula Vista | 276,375 | $108,032 | 8.8% | $758,700 |
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | 8.3% | $770,300 |
| Escondido | 149,668 | $91,967 | 12.2% | $714,500 |
| Carlsbad | 114,373 | $142,748 | 6.9% | $1,257,000 |
| El Cajon | 104,449 | $67,511 | 20.5% | $681,700 |
| Vista | 99,114 | $94,975 | 10.5% | $762,400 |
| San Marcos | 94,882 | $109,377 | 9.2% | $868,000 |
| Encinitas | 61,480 | $162,229 | 7.4% | $1,646,800 |
| La Mesa | 60,797 | $95,028 | 11.5% | $812,000 |
Cities Similar to Alpine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Grove | 14,951 | $106,065 | $1,190,400 | 59.6% | 7.6% |
| La Palma | 15,272 | $117,989 | $973,600 | 52.9% | 5.0% |
| Vincent | 15,340 | $100,443 | $634,700 | 23.7% | 6.7% |
| Los Osos | 14,166 | $108,932 | $805,800 | 53.7% | 8.1% |
| Artesia | 15,889 | $101,004 | $776,600 | 32.4% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Alpine is a small city located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 15,180. It ranks as the 402nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alpine is 42.4 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alpine is $108,660. This is 10% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $864,000. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alpine is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (71.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
33.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alpine, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alpine, California?
Alpine, California has a population of 15,180 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alpine, CA?
The median household income in Alpine is $108,660, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alpine, CA?
The poverty rate in Alpine is 13.0%. This means approximately 1,955 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alpine, California?
Alpine's population is 71.2% White, 2.2% Black, 21.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alpine, CA?
The median home value in Alpine is $864,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Alpine, California?
33.0% of adults (25+) in Alpine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.