National City, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, National City, California had a total population of 58,893, the 162nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $66,841, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.2x the median household income.
National City Quick Facts
How National City 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 | 55,960 | 58,893 | +5.2% |
| Median household income | $64,248 | $66,841 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $580,900 | $612,200 | +5.4% |
How National City 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+)
National City 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 National City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence-Graham | 60,690 | $65,132 | $545,200 | 7.4% | 20.1% |
| Hanford | 59,754 | $76,461 | $349,400 | 18.1% | 14.5% |
| Monterey Park | 59,132 | $81,855 | $863,000 | 36.2% | 12.4% |
| Highland | 56,675 | $77,120 | $485,600 | 22.7% | 17.1% |
| Porterville | 63,157 | $60,461 | $285,700 | 14.5% | 17.3% |
Population Overview
National City is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 58,893. It ranks as the 162nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in National City is 36.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in National City is $66,841. This is 33% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. The median home value is $612,200. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 34.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in National City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 63.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 16.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.6%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (63.5% vs 40.2%).
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for National City, 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 National City, California?
National City, California has a population of 58,893 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in National City, CA?
The median household income in National City is $66,841, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in National City, CA?
The poverty rate in National City is 14.6%. This means approximately 7,999 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of National City, California?
National City's population is 10.6% White, 5.1% Black, 63.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 16.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in National City, CA?
The median home value in National City is $612,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.2x.
How educated is National City, California?
18.1% of adults (25+) in National City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.