Encinitas, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Encinitas, California had a total population of 61,480, the 150th largest city in California, with a median household income of $162,229, which is 64% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 67.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.2x the median household income.
Encinitas Quick Facts
How Encinitas Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,780 | 61,480 | -2.1% |
| Median household income | $142,789 | $162,229 | +13.6% |
| Median home value¹ | $1,166,342 | $1,646,800 | +41.2% |
| Median gross rent | $2,437 | $2,886 | +18.4% |
How Encinitas Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 73.3%
- Black: 0.4%
- Hispanic: 16.4%
- Asian: 4.3%
- Other: 0.4%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 4.8%
- HS Diploma: 8.3%
- Some College: 12.7%
- Associate's: 6.6%
- Bachelor's: 39.1%
- Graduate+: 28.6%
Encinitas 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 |
| La Mesa | 60,797 | $95,028 | 11.5% | $812,000 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to Encinitas
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Clemente | 63,273 | $140,062 | $1,398,400 | 53.8% | 5.8% |
| Yorba Linda | 67,170 | $157,582 | $1,147,100 | 56.2% | 5.8% |
| Laguna Niguel | 64,139 | $140,452 | $1,190,900 | 59.8% | 6.4% |
| Castro Valley | 65,001 | $142,779 | $1,104,600 | 44.5% | 6.7% |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | $836,600 | 39.3% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Encinitas is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 61,480. It ranks as the 150th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Encinitas is 43.1 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Encinitas is $162,229. This is 64% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 101% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,646,800. Housing costs are 124% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Encinitas is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (73.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (16.4%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
67.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Encinitas in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 82% 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 95.2%. Notably, 28.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Encinitas, 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 Encinitas, California?
Encinitas, California has a population of 61,480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Encinitas, CA?
The median household income in Encinitas is $162,229, which is 101% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Encinitas, CA?
The poverty rate in Encinitas is 7.4%. This means approximately 4,515 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Encinitas, California?
Encinitas's population is 73.3% White, 0.4% Black, 16.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Encinitas, CA?
The median home value in Encinitas is $1,646,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.2x.
How educated is Encinitas, California?
67.7% of adults (25+) in Encinitas hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 28.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.