Escondido city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Escondido city, California has a total population of 149,913, the 38th largest city in California, with a median household income of $84,477, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.9x the median household income.
Escondido city Quick Facts
How Escondido city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Escondido city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Escondido city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pomona city | 148,391 | $78,869 | $569,600 | 19.5% | 14.2% |
| Visalia city | 142,649 | $79,952 | $340,600 | 22.9% | 11.3% |
| Salinas city | 161,993 | $89,150 | $610,900 | 15.5% | 14.2% |
| Palmdale city | 165,487 | $81,151 | $435,300 | 16.6% | 14.6% |
| Garden Grove city | 170,603 | $90,166 | $765,500 | 24.9% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Escondido city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 149,913. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Escondido city is 37.1 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Escondido city is $84,477. This is 12% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 8% higher. The poverty rate stands at 13.4%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $663,500. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 52.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Escondido city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.5%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (6.9%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
27.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% lower 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Escondido 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Escondido city, California?
Escondido city, California has a population of 149,913 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Escondido city, CA?
The median household income in Escondido city is $84,477, which is 8% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Escondido city, CA?
The poverty rate in Escondido city is 13.4%. This means approximately 19,866 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Escondido city, California?
Escondido city's population is 34.5% White, 2.1% Black, 51.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Escondido city, CA?
The median home value in Escondido city is $663,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.9x.
How educated is Escondido city, California?
27.8% of adults (25+) in Escondido city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.