Santa Ana, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Santa Ana, California had a total population of 312,534, the 13th largest city in California, with a median household income of $93,999, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
Santa Ana Quick Facts
How Santa Ana 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 | 311,639 | 312,534 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $93,999 | +6.4% |
| Median home value | $657,800 | $713,000 | +8.4% |
How Santa Ana 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Santa Ana Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | 9.5% | $945,800 |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | 9.1% | $1,115,100 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
| Lake Forest | 86,281 | $135,175 | 8.5% | $937,000 |
Cities Similar to Santa Ana
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | $584,800 | 25.7% | 12.2% |
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | $831,200 | 29.7% | 12.4% |
| Stockton | 322,326 | $79,907 | $440,900 | 20.0% | 15.5% |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | $1,191,500 | 70.6% | 10.8% |
| Chula Vista | 276,375 | $108,032 | $758,700 | 33.2% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Santa Ana is a major urban center located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 312,534. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santa Ana is 34.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santa Ana is $93,999. This is 5% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $713,000. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x 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 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Ana is Hispanic or Latino, making up 76.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 12.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.9%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (76.6% vs 40.2%).
Education
18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 66.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santa Ana, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Santa Ana, California?
Santa Ana, California has a population of 312,534 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santa Ana, CA?
The median household income in Santa Ana is $93,999, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Santa Ana, CA?
The poverty rate in Santa Ana is 10.8%. This means approximately 33,309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santa Ana, California?
Santa Ana's population is 8.9% White, 0.7% Black, 76.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santa Ana, CA?
The median home value in Santa Ana is $713,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Santa Ana, California?
18.3% of adults (25+) in Santa Ana hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.