Dana Point city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Dana Point city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 32,883. It ranks as the 246th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Dana Point city is 48.0 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Dana Point city is $127,246. This is 32% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 62% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,200,900. Housing costs are 73% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Dana Point city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (71.9% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (16.5%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

57.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% higher 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 95.9%. Notably, 24.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Dana Point 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.