Pala, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pala, California had a total population of 914, the 1085th largest community in California, with a median household income of $106,250, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Pala Quick Facts
How Pala 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 | 924 | 914 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $90,938 | $106,250 | +16.8% |
| Median home value | $265,000 | $305,600 | +15.3% |
How Pala 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+)
Pala 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 Pala
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inyokern | 912 | N/A | $292,900 | 13.0% | 22.5% |
| Tres Pinos | 901 | N/A | $1,036,000 | 38.7% | 0.2% |
| Smith River | 898 | N/A | $382,200 | 6.6% | 16.9% |
| Challenge-Brownsville | 887 | N/A | $344,200 | 0.0% | 21.1% |
| Tahoma | 873 | $105,104 | $900,700 | 45.3% | 9.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 914, Pala's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Pala is a small community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 914. It ranks as the 1085th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pala is 29.9 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Pala has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pala is $106,250. This is 7% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 32% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $305,600. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $734,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Pala is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pala is Hispanic or Latino, making up 47.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% 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 73.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pala, 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 Pala, California?
Pala, California has a population of 914 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pala, CA?
The median household income in Pala is $106,250, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pala, CA?
The poverty rate in Pala is 12.7%. This means approximately 115 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pala, California?
Pala's population is 7.4% White, 0.8% Black, 47.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pala, CA?
The median home value in Pala is $305,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Pala, California?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Pala hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.