Solana Beach city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Solana Beach city is a small city located in California. The total population is 12,841. It ranks as the 436th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Solana Beach city is 47.9 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Solana Beach city is $150,820. This is 57% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 92% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,934,700. Housing costs are 178% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 12.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Solana Beach city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (75.0% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.0%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

71.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Solana Beach city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 97% higher 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 97.2%. Notably, 28.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Solana Beach 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.