El Cajon, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Cajon, California had a total population of 104,449, the 70th largest city in California, with a median household income of $67,511, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.1x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
El Cajon Quick Facts
How El Cajon 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 | 104,909 | 104,449 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $66,478 | $67,511 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $632,800 | $681,700 | +7.7% |
How El Cajon 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+)
El Cajon 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 |
| 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 El Cajon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Monte | 106,109 | $68,030 | $644,000 | 15.2% | 17.4% |
| Chico | 102,188 | $66,977 | $468,100 | 42.2% | 22.7% |
| Inglewood | 104,569 | $72,750 | $792,800 | 25.2% | 14.6% |
| Hesperia | 100,775 | $72,160 | $409,000 | 11.9% | 17.0% |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | $643,100 | 11.4% | 17.3% |
Population Overview
El Cajon is a major urban center located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 104,449. It ranks as the 70th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Cajon is 36.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Cajon is $67,511. This is 32% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 71% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.6%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $681,700. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 41.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in El Cajon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (51.9% vs 33.8%). The Asian population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Cajon, 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 El Cajon, California?
El Cajon, California has a population of 104,449 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Cajon, CA?
The median household income in El Cajon is $67,511, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Cajon, CA?
The poverty rate in El Cajon is 20.5%. This means approximately 21,064 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Cajon, California?
El Cajon's population is 51.9% White, 5.8% Black, 29.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Cajon, CA?
The median home value in El Cajon is $681,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.1x.
How educated is El Cajon, California?
23.0% of adults (25+) in El Cajon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.