Oceanside, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oceanside, California had a total population of 172,242, the 29th largest city in California, with a median household income of $97,737, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
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 7.9x the median household income.
Oceanside Quick Facts
How Oceanside 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 | 172,542 | 172,242 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $93,724 | $97,737 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $702,000 | $770,300 | +9.7% |
How Oceanside 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+)
Oceanside 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 |
| 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 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to Oceanside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | 177,090 | $99,060 | $713,900 | 35.1% | 9.7% |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | $814,100 | 25.3% | 12.3% |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | $740,200 | 37.5% | 8.0% |
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | $654,100 | 16.5% | 13.6% |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | $607,600 | 22.5% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Oceanside is a major urban center located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 172,242. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oceanside is 38.9 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oceanside is $97,737. This is 1% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $770,300. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oceanside is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.5%.
Education
36.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oceanside, 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 Oceanside, California?
Oceanside, California has a population of 172,242 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oceanside, CA?
The median household income in Oceanside is $97,737, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oceanside, CA?
The poverty rate in Oceanside is 8.3%. This means approximately 14,151 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oceanside, California?
Oceanside's population is 42.6% White, 4.2% Black, 37.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oceanside, CA?
The median home value in Oceanside is $770,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.9x.
How educated is Oceanside, California?
36.1% of adults (25+) in Oceanside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.