Chula Vista city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Chula Vista city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 275,030. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chula Vista city is 37.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chula Vista city is $105,173. This is 9% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $697,400. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Chula Vista city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 60.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.9%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (60.4% vs 39.8%).

Education

32.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Chula Vista city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.