Carlsbad, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlsbad, California had a total population of 114,373, the 56th largest city in California, with a median household income of $142,748, which is 44% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.8x the median household income.
Carlsbad Quick Facts
How Carlsbad 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 | 114,500 | 114,373 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $142,748 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $1,156,900 | $1,257,000 | +8.7% |
How Carlsbad 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+)
Carlsbad 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 |
| 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 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to Carlsbad
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | $679,700 | 38.8% | 7.3% |
| Thousand Oaks | 125,205 | $135,603 | $991,600 | 51.4% | 8.9% |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | $639,800 | 32.6% | 5.4% |
| San Mateo | 103,105 | $153,504 | $1,618,700 | 57.8% | 8.2% |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | $1,115,100 | 45.0% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
Carlsbad is a major urban center located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 114,373. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlsbad is 42.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlsbad is $142,748. This is 44% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 77% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,257,000. Housing costs are 71% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carlsbad is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (65.7% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (17.4%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
62.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% higher 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 96.3%. Notably, 25.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlsbad, 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 Carlsbad, California?
Carlsbad, California has a population of 114,373 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlsbad, CA?
The median household income in Carlsbad is $142,748, which is 77% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlsbad, CA?
The poverty rate in Carlsbad is 6.9%. This means approximately 7,846 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlsbad, California?
Carlsbad's population is 65.7% White, 1.3% Black, 17.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlsbad, CA?
The median home value in Carlsbad is $1,257,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Carlsbad, California?
62.1% of adults (25+) in Carlsbad hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.