Potrero, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Potrero, California had a total population of 417, the 1256th largest community in California, with a median household income of $10,354, which is 90% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 100.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 90% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (100.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Potrero Quick Facts
How Potrero 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 | 423 | 417 | -1.4% |
How Potrero Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Potrero 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 Potrero
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clipper Mills | 414 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 85.8% |
| Greenville | 424 | N/A | $241,200 | 8.8% | 6.1% |
| Tonyville | 433 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 49.9% |
| Iron Horse | 434 | N/A | $315,500 | 23.0% | 0.0% |
| Sierra Brooks | 397 | N/A | $333,100 | 21.9% | 17.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 417, Potrero'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
Potrero is a small community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 417. It ranks as the 1256th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Potrero is 11.0 years. This is 71% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 78.2% of the population under 18, Potrero has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Potrero is $10,354. This is 90% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 87% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 100.0%. This is 733% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. 33.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Potrero was recorded as Hispanic or Latino. A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
33.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 33.0%. Notably, 33.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Potrero, 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 Potrero, California?
Potrero, California has a population of 417 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Potrero, CA?
The median household income in Potrero is $10,354, which is 87% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Potrero, CA?
The poverty rate in Potrero is 100.0%. This means approximately 417 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Potrero, California?
Potrero's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 100.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Potrero, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Potrero — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Potrero, California?
33.0% of adults (25+) in Potrero hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 33.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.