San Diego County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

San Diego County is located in California with a total population of 3,282,782. It is the 2nd most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in San Diego County is 37.1 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in San Diego County is $102,285. This is 6% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% higher. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $791,600. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 54.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

San Diego County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.3%.

Education

42.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.0%. Notably, 16.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.