La Mesa, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Mesa, California had a total population of 60,797, the 152nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $95,028, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
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 8.5x the median household income.
La Mesa Quick Facts
How La Mesa 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 | 60,835 | 60,797 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $84,337 | $95,028 | +12.7% |
| Median home value | $738,800 | $812,000 | +9.9% |
How La Mesa 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+)
La Mesa 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 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to La Mesa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland | 61,854 | $90,180 | $548,200 | 30.4% | 8.2% |
| La Habra | 61,970 | $100,106 | $781,600 | 32.3% | 10.9% |
| Pico Rivera | 60,272 | $88,201 | $648,600 | 16.4% | 10.3% |
| Gardena | 59,422 | $84,803 | $700,600 | 28.9% | 11.8% |
| Montebello | 61,045 | $79,971 | $697,900 | 22.9% | 12.1% |
Population Overview
La Mesa is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 60,797. It ranks as the 152nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Mesa is 37.4 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Mesa is $95,028. This is 4% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 18% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $812,000. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Mesa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (50.8% vs 33.8%). The Asian population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
40.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Mesa, 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 La Mesa, California?
La Mesa, California has a population of 60,797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Mesa, CA?
The median household income in La Mesa is $95,028, which is 18% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Mesa, CA?
The poverty rate in La Mesa is 11.5%. This means approximately 6,916 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Mesa, California?
La Mesa's population is 50.8% White, 7.7% Black, 27.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Mesa, CA?
The median home value in La Mesa is $812,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.5x.
How educated is La Mesa, California?
40.6% of adults (25+) in La Mesa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.