Costa Mesa, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Costa Mesa, California had a total population of 110,330, the 62nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $111,505, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
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 10.0x the median household income.
Costa Mesa Quick Facts
How Costa Mesa 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 | 110,538 | 110,330 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $111,505 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $1,054,700 | $1,115,100 | +5.7% |
How Costa Mesa 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+)
Costa Mesa Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | 10.8% | $713,000 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | 9.5% | $945,800 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
| Lake Forest | 86,281 | $135,175 | 8.5% | $937,000 |
Cities Similar to Costa Mesa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | $639,800 | 32.6% | 5.4% |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura) | 109,857 | $103,069 | $827,300 | 41.5% | 10.4% |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | $679,700 | 38.8% | 7.3% |
| Vacaville | 102,596 | $111,126 | $620,900 | 28.0% | 8.2% |
| West Covina | 107,037 | $101,065 | $779,800 | 30.1% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Costa Mesa is a major urban center located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 110,330. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Costa Mesa is 36.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Costa Mesa is $111,505. This is 12% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 38% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,115,100. Housing costs are 52% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 39.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Costa Mesa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.6%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
45.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Costa Mesa, 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 Costa Mesa, California?
Costa Mesa, California has a population of 110,330 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Costa Mesa, CA?
The median household income in Costa Mesa is $111,505, which is 38% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Costa Mesa, CA?
The poverty rate in Costa Mesa is 9.1%. This means approximately 10,026 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Costa Mesa, California?
Costa Mesa's population is 47.5% White, 1.7% Black, 36.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Costa Mesa, CA?
The median home value in Costa Mesa is $1,115,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.0x.
How educated is Costa Mesa, California?
45.0% of adults (25+) in Costa Mesa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.