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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Costa Mesa

California · 96,357 residents · 15.806 sq mi
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The short version

Costa Mesa is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $40,313. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value is $255,800.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 31.2
US median: 33.0
More educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

96,357
−11%vs 2000
vs 108,724 in 2000
1990 – 2025
6,096 / sq mi
−11%vs 2000
vs 6,879 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
31.2
−3%vs 2000
vs 32.0 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
95K100K105K110K115K1990201020202024Costa Mesa
2024110K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$40,313
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $50,732 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$18,750
−20%vs 2000
vs $23,342 in 2000
US average: $14,340
9.2%
−3.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 12.6% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$255,800
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $263,700 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$810
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $956 in 2000
US average: $450
40.2%
−0.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 40.5% in 2000
59.8% rent
6.3
+22%vs 2000
vs 5.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Costa Mesa on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.8%(61,778)
Black1.2%(1,313)
Hispanic / Latino31.8%(34,523)
Asian6.8%(7,421)
Other0%
Diversity Score67.6%(73,509)
1990
White, non-Hispanic84.4%(81,371)
Black1.2%(1,178)
Hispanic / Latino19.9%(19,205)
Asian6.5%(6,258)
Other7.8%(7,550)
Diversity Score58.7%(56,522)
59
−13%vs 2000
vs 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

27.3%
−1.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 29.1% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
83.5%
+4.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 79.1% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
7.5%
−0.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 8.3% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

20.9 min
+37%vs 2000
vs 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Costa Mesa, California?

Costa Mesa, California has about 96,357 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Costa Mesa, California?

The typical household in Costa Mesa, California earns about $40,313 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Costa Mesa, California expensive?

In Costa Mesa, California, the median home is worth about $255,800, and the typical rent is about $810 a month.

How educated are people in Costa Mesa, California?

About 27.3% of adults age 25 and over in Costa Mesa, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Costa Mesa, California?

About 9.2% of people in Costa Mesa, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

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