Chula Vista, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chula Vista, California had a total population of 276,375, the 15th largest city in California, with a median household income of $108,032, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
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 7.0x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Chula Vista Quick Facts
How Chula Vista 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 | 275,030 | 276,375 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $105,173 | $108,032 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $697,400 | $758,700 | +8.8% |
How Chula Vista 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chula Vista 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 |
| 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 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to Chula Vista
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | $713,000 | 18.3% | 10.8% |
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | $584,800 | 25.7% | 12.2% |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | $1,191,500 | 70.6% | 10.8% |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | $784,700 | 39.8% | 7.4% |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | $586,800 | 21.4% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Chula Vista is a major urban center located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 276,375. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chula Vista is 37.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chula Vista is $108,032. This is 9% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $758,700. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chula Vista is Hispanic or Latino, making up 61.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.3%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (61.1% vs 40.2%).
Education
33.2% 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 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chula Vista, 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 Chula Vista, California?
Chula Vista, California has a population of 276,375 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chula Vista, CA?
The median household income in Chula Vista is $108,032, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chula Vista, CA?
The poverty rate in Chula Vista is 8.8%. This means approximately 24,042 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chula Vista, California?
Chula Vista's population is 15.3% White, 4.7% Black, 61.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chula Vista, CA?
The median home value in Chula Vista is $758,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.0x.
How educated is Chula Vista, California?
33.2% of adults (25+) in Chula Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.