Poway, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Poway, California had a total population of 48,713, the 193rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $148,359, which is 50% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
Poway Quick Facts
How Poway 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 | 48,515 | 48,713 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $143,825 | $148,359 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $971,500 | $1,034,800 | +6.5% |
How Poway 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+)
Poway 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 Poway
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Santa Margarita | 46,990 | $152,560 | $971,200 | 49.7% | 5.8% |
| Cerritos | 47,867 | $135,439 | $935,300 | 58.0% | 5.3% |
| Aliso Viejo | 51,113 | $142,439 | $917,900 | 57.6% | 5.1% |
| French Valley | 45,269 | $148,520 | $679,800 | 37.5% | 4.9% |
| Cypress | 49,498 | $130,215 | $913,900 | 50.7% | 6.6% |
Population Overview
Poway is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 48,713. It ranks as the 193rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Poway is 41.2 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Poway is $148,359. This is 50% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 84% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,034,800. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 75.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Poway is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (57.8% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (18.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
54.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% higher 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 94.1%. Notably, 23.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Poway, 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 Poway, California?
Poway, California has a population of 48,713 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Poway, CA?
The median household income in Poway is $148,359, which is 84% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Poway, CA?
The poverty rate in Poway is 5.6%. This means approximately 2,723 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Poway, California?
Poway's population is 57.8% White, 2.7% Black, 18.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Poway, CA?
The median home value in Poway is $1,034,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.0x.
How educated is Poway, California?
54.2% of adults (25+) in Poway hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.