Winter Gardens, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Winter Gardens, California had a total population of 22,131, the 331st largest community in California, with a median household income of $97,973, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Winter Gardens Quick Facts
How Winter Gardens 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 | 22,003 | 22,131 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $94,320 | $97,973 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $558,800 | $608,600 | +8.9% |
How Winter Gardens 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Winter Gardens 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 Winter Gardens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeside (San Diego County) | 22,447 | $96,447 | $634,400 | 26.1% | 9.9% |
| West Carson | 22,143 | $92,775 | $689,700 | 36.9% | 8.8% |
| Marina | 22,563 | $95,955 | $818,700 | 37.9% | 12.2% |
| Duarte | 22,184 | $105,483 | $779,400 | 33.9% | 8.4% |
| Port Hueneme | 21,582 | $92,660 | $587,000 | 25.1% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Winter Gardens is a small city located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 22,131. It ranks as the 331st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Winter Gardens is 38.1 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Winter Gardens is $97,973. This is 1% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $608,600. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 63.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Winter Gardens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.4% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
25.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Winter Gardens, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Winter Gardens, California?
Winter Gardens, California has a population of 22,131 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Winter Gardens, CA?
The median household income in Winter Gardens is $97,973, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Winter Gardens, CA?
The poverty rate in Winter Gardens is 9.3%. This means approximately 2,052 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Winter Gardens, California?
Winter Gardens's population is 64.4% White, 0.8% Black, 27.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Winter Gardens, CA?
The median home value in Winter Gardens is $608,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Winter Gardens, California?
25.2% of adults (25+) in Winter Gardens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.