Vista, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vista, California had a total population of 99,114, the 78th largest city in California, with a median household income of $94,975, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
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 8.0x the median household income.
Vista Quick Facts
How Vista 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 | 98,646 | 99,114 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $91,854 | $94,975 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $674,400 | $762,400 | +13.0% |
How Vista 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Vista 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 |
| 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 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to Vista
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwalk | 99,789 | $100,085 | $644,700 | 21.3% | 9.3% |
| Burbank | 104,546 | $97,082 | $1,089,100 | 47.1% | 10.7% |
| Rialto | 104,143 | $88,857 | $487,900 | 12.6% | 12.7% |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | $574,600 | 14.9% | 11.0% |
| West Covina | 107,037 | $101,065 | $779,800 | 30.1% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Vista is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 99,114. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vista is 35.9 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vista is $94,975. This is 4% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 18% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.5%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. The median home value is $762,400. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vista is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.2%. The Asian population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vista, 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 Vista, California?
Vista, California has a population of 99,114 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vista, CA?
The median household income in Vista is $94,975, which is 18% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vista, CA?
The poverty rate in Vista is 10.5%. This means approximately 10,265 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vista, California?
Vista's population is 36.2% White, 2.7% Black, 49.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vista, CA?
The median home value in Vista is $762,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Vista, California?
29.3% of adults (25+) in Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.