Santee city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Santee city, California has a total population of 59,485, the 158th largest city in California, with a median household income of $105,613, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Santee city Quick Facts
How Santee city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Santee city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Santee city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petaluma city | 59,321 | $109,823 | $834,900 | 42.9% | 6.2% |
| San Rafael city | 60,604 | $109,317 | $1,246,200 | 49.4% | 10.9% |
| Santa Cruz city | 60,953 | $111,427 | $1,180,100 | 57.8% | 17.6% |
| La Habra city | 62,233 | $98,158 | $716,700 | 29.7% | 9.7% |
| Fountain Valley city | 56,358 | $111,797 | $1,018,600 | 44.9% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Santee city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 59,485. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santee city is 39.5 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santee city is $105,613. This is 10% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $653,400. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santee city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (63.5% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
32.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santee 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Santee city, California?
Santee city, California has a population of 59,485 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santee city, CA?
The median household income in Santee city is $105,613, which is 34% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Santee city, CA?
The poverty rate in Santee city is 8.5%. This means approximately 4,946 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santee city, California?
Santee city's population is 63.5% White, 1.9% Black, 21.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santee city, CA?
The median home value in Santee city is $653,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Santee city, California?
32.9% of adults (25+) in Santee city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.