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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chula Vista

California · 275,487 residents · 49.638 sq mi
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The short version

Chula Vista is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $86,132. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 59% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $526,500.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.4
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 87%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
275,487
+59%since 2000
from 173,556 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,550 / sq mi
+59%since 2000
from 3,496 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.4
+10%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
121K163K206K248K290K1990201020202024Chula Vista
2024276K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,132
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,861 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,521
+75%since 2000
from $18,556 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
56.2%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance6.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$526,500
+87%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $187,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,729
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $707 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
57.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 57.4% in 2000
42.2% rent
Afford Score
6.1
+47%since 2000
from 4.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chula Vista on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic31.7%(55,042)
Black4.3%(7,517)
Hispanic / Latino49.6%(86,073)
Asian10.6%(18,410)
Other0%
Diversity Score76.5%(132,714)
2020
White, non-Hispanic15.9%(43,720)
Black4.6%(12,703)
Hispanic / Latino59.8%(164,698)
Asian14.8%(40,841)
Other3.6%(9,858)
Diversity Score72.6%(200,049)
Diversity Score
73
−5%since 2000
from 76 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.2%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 22.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.8%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.8 min
+72%since 2000
from 17.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 66.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
37.8%
−25.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
30.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 30.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.6%
−74.7 ptssince 2013
from 82.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chula Vista

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Head to head

Compare Chula Vista to nearby cities

CHULA VISTA VS
Bonita
Income$118,674+38%
Home value$962,800+83%
Population12,652−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHULA VISTA VS
National City
Income$66,841−22%
Home value$612,200+16%
Population57,807−79%
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CHULA VISTA VS
La Presa
Income$93,479+9%
Home value$629,700+20%
Population34,962−87%
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CHULA VISTA VS
Imperial Beach
Income$86,111same
Home value$857,000+63%
Population25,206−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chula Vista, California?

Chula Vista, California has about 275,487 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chula Vista, California?

The typical household in Chula Vista, California earns about $86,132 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chula Vista, California expensive?

In Chula Vista, California, the median home is worth about $526,500, and the typical rent is about $1,729 a month.

How educated are people in Chula Vista, California?

About 29.2% of adults age 25 and over in Chula Vista, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chula Vista, California?

About 9.5% of people in Chula Vista, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chula Vista, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Chula Vista, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 140,324 residents, a change of about 104 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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