Santee, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Santee, California had a total population of 59,332, the 158th largest city in California, with a median household income of $113,394, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Santee Quick Facts
How Santee 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 | 57,797 | 59,332 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $107,192 | $113,394 | No clear change (+5.8%) |
| Median home value¹ | $548,280 | $727,200 | +32.6% |
| Median gross rent | $2,146 | $2,250 | No clear change (+4.8%) |
How Santee 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: 62.9%
- Black: 1.8%
- Hispanic: 20.9%
- Asian: 6.5%
- Other: 0.5%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 7.3%
- HS Diploma: 20.3%
- Some College: 27.4%
- Associate's: 9.9%
- Bachelor's: 23.7%
- Graduate+: 11.3%
Santee Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Diego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 1,389,526 | $108,077 | 11.0% | $906,700 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Santee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petaluma | 59,247 | $115,430 | $878,600 | 43.8% | 6.5% |
| San Rafael | 60,433 | $119,435 | $1,355,600 | 49.7% | 11.7% |
| Santa Cruz | 61,607 | $115,475 | $1,209,000 | 57.6% | 17.0% |
| Fountain Valley | 56,258 | $115,237 | $1,072,300 | 46.4% | 8.0% |
| Arcadia | 55,170 | $113,516 | $1,441,800 | 57.4% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Santee is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 59,332. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santee is 40.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santee is $113,394. This is 14% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 40% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $727,200. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (62.9% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santee, 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 Santee, California?
Santee, California has a population of 59,332 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santee, CA?
The median household income in Santee is $113,394, which is 40% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Santee, CA?
The poverty rate in Santee is 7.9%. This means approximately 4,591 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santee, California?
Santee's population is 62.9% White, 1.8% Black, 20.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santee, CA?
The median home value in Santee is $727,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Santee, California?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Santee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.