Santa Ana city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Santa Ana city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 311,639. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Santa Ana city is 34.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Santa Ana city is $88,354. This is 8% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $657,800. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Ana city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 77.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 11.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (77.3% vs 39.8%).

Education

18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower 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 66.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Santa Ana city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.