South El Monte city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

South El Monte city is a small city located in California. The total population is 19,413. It ranks as the 358th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in South El Monte city is 37.8 years. This is about average than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in South El Monte city is $67,153. This is 30% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.8%. This is 98% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $578,100. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in South El Monte city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 74.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (74.9% vs 39.8%).

Education

10.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 55.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for South El Monte 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.