Lemon Grove, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lemon Grove, California had a total population of 27,686, the 280th largest city in California, with a median household income of $88,009, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.
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 8.0x the median household income.
Lemon Grove Quick Facts
How Lemon Grove 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 | 27,489 | 27,686 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $79,278 | $88,009 | +11.0% |
| Median home value | $640,600 | $705,400 | +10.1% |
How Lemon Grove 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+)
Lemon Grove 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 |
| La Mesa | 60,797 | $95,028 | 11.5% | $812,000 |
Cities Similar to Lemon Grove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgecrest | 28,225 | $89,250 | $253,900 | 30.9% | 12.5% |
| Lemoore | 27,102 | $83,724 | $328,300 | 19.5% | 15.1% |
| Imperial Beach | 25,764 | $86,111 | $857,000 | 26.7% | 14.8% |
| Atascadero | 29,712 | $91,429 | $716,500 | 31.6% | 11.4% |
| Suisun City | 29,286 | $94,787 | $579,500 | 21.1% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Lemon Grove is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 27,686. It ranks as the 280th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lemon Grove is 37.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lemon Grove is $88,009. This is 11% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 9% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $705,400. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 52.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lemon Grove is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (12.0% vs 5.2%).
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lemon Grove, 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 Lemon Grove, California?
Lemon Grove, California has a population of 27,686 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lemon Grove, CA?
The median household income in Lemon Grove is $88,009, which is 9% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lemon Grove, CA?
The poverty rate in Lemon Grove is 9.2%. This means approximately 2,501 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lemon Grove, California?
Lemon Grove's population is 27.0% White, 12.0% Black, 45.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lemon Grove, CA?
The median home value in Lemon Grove is $705,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Lemon Grove, California?
20.2% of adults (25+) in Lemon Grove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.