Escondido, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Escondido, California had a total population of 149,668, the 38th largest city in California, with a median household income of $91,967, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.8x the median household income.
Escondido Quick Facts
How Escondido 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 | 149,913 | 149,668 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $84,477 | $91,967 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $663,500 | $714,500 | +7.7% |
How Escondido 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+)
Escondido 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 |
| 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 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to Escondido
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | $654,100 | 16.5% | 13.6% |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | $593,800 | 20.3% | 14.3% |
| Visalia | 143,939 | $81,989 | $371,500 | 24.1% | 11.5% |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | $902,600 | 43.5% | 12.3% |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | $814,100 | 25.3% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Escondido is a major urban center located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 149,668. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Escondido is 36.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Escondido is $91,967. This is 7% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $714,500. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Escondido is Hispanic or Latino, making up 52.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.8%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
28.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Escondido, 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 Escondido, California?
Escondido, California has a population of 149,668 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Escondido, CA?
The median household income in Escondido is $91,967, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Escondido, CA?
The poverty rate in Escondido is 12.2%. This means approximately 18,089 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Escondido, California?
Escondido's population is 32.8% White, 2.3% Black, 52.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Escondido, CA?
The median home value in Escondido is $714,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.8x.
How educated is Escondido, California?
28.9% of adults (25+) in Escondido hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.