San Diego, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Diego, California had a total population of 1,389,526, the 2nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $108,077, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.
Key Takeaways
- San Diego is the 2nd largest city in California with a population of 1,389,526.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.4x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 71/100).
San Diego Quick Facts
How San Diego Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,409,573 | 1,389,526 | -1.4% |
| Median household income | $98,054 | $108,077 | +10.2% |
| Median home value¹ | $741,625 | $906,700 | +22.3% |
| Median gross rent | $2,086 | $2,313 | +10.9% |
How San Diego Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 40.9%
- Black: 5.3%
- Hispanic: 29.8%
- Asian: 17.3%
- Other: 0.7%
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 9.8%
- HS Diploma: 14.8%
- Some College: 17.1%
- Associate's: 7.3%
- Bachelor's: 29.3%
- Graduate+: 21.7%
San Diego Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Diego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to San Diego
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 990,138 | $146,427 | $1,233,200 | 47.3% | 8.1% |
| San Francisco | 830,235 | $140,970 | $1,394,500 | 60.3% | 11.2% |
| Sacramento | 528,706 | $87,321 | $506,300 | 37.1% | 13.9% |
| Fresno | 545,970 | $70,991 | $374,800 | 25.5% | 20.1% |
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | $921,200 | 38.5% | 16.6% |
Population Overview
San Diego is a major urban center located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 1,389,526. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Diego is 36.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Diego is $108,077. This is 9% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $906,700. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
San Diego is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.8%.
Education
51.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 90.2%. Notably, 21.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Diego, 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 San Diego, California?
San Diego, California has a population of 1,389,526 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Diego, CA?
The median household income in San Diego is $108,077, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Diego, CA?
The poverty rate in San Diego is 11.0%. This means approximately 148,099 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Diego, California?
San Diego's population is 40.9% White, 5.3% Black, 29.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 17.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Diego, CA?
The median home value in San Diego is $906,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.4x.
How educated is San Diego, California?
51.0% of adults (25+) in San Diego hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.