Descanso, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Descanso, California had a total population of 1,590, the 949th largest community in California, with a median household income of $110,132, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.7% — among the lowest in California.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Descanso Quick Facts
How Descanso 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 | 1,670 | 1,590 | -4.8% |
| Median household income | $125,714 | $110,132 | -12.4% |
| Median home value | $606,100 | $662,600 | +9.3% |
How Descanso 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Descanso 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Descanso
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle | 1,585 | $108,750 | $598,000 | 27.7% | 12.4% |
| Middletown | 1,572 | N/A | $403,900 | 14.4% | 8.1% |
| Sunnyside-Tahoe City | 1,599 | $118,493 | $1,019,300 | 57.1% | 1.4% |
| Allendale | 1,734 | $107,679 | $1,057,600 | 35.8% | 7.8% |
| Lagunitas-Forest Knolls | 1,626 | $130,682 | $939,500 | 61.5% | 4.4% |
Population Overview
Descanso is a small community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 1,590. It ranks as the 949th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Descanso is 53.6 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Descanso is $110,132. This is 11% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 36% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.7%. This is 69% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $662,600. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Descanso is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (76.9% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (17.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Descanso, 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 Descanso, California?
Descanso, California has a population of 1,590 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Descanso, CA?
The median household income in Descanso is $110,132, which is 36% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Descanso, CA?
The poverty rate in Descanso is 3.7%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Descanso, California?
Descanso's population is 76.9% White, 0.0% Black, 17.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Descanso, CA?
The median home value in Descanso is $662,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Descanso, California?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Descanso hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.