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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Costa Mesa

California · 108,724 residents · 15.806 sq mi
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The short version

Costa Mesa is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $50,732. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $263,700.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 32.0
US median: 35.2
More educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 22%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

108,724
+13%since 1990
from 96,357 in 1990
1990 – 2025
6,879 / sq mi
+13%since 1990
from 6,096 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
32.0
+3%since 1990
from 31.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
95K100K105K110K115K1990201020202024Costa Mesa
2024110K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$50,732
−4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $40,313 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$23,342
+24%since 1990
from $18,750 in 1990
US average: $21,522
12.6%
+3.5 ptssince 1990
from 9.2% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$263,700
−22%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $255,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$956
−10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $810 in 1990
US average: $602
40.5%
+0.3 ptssince 1990
from 40.2% in 1990
59.5% rent
5.2
−18%since 1990
from 6.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Costa Mesa on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic84.4%(81,371)
Black1.2%(1,178)
Hispanic / Latino19.9%(19,205)
Asian6.5%(6,258)
Diversity Score58.7%(56,522)
2000
White, non-Hispanic56.8%(61,778)
Black1.2%(1,313)
Hispanic / Latino31.8%(34,523)
Asian6.8%(7,421)
Diversity Score67.6%(73,509)
68
+15%since 1990
from 59 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

29.1%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 27.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
79.1%
−4.4 ptssince 1990
from 83.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
8.3%
+0.8 ptssince 1990
from 7.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

15.3 min
−27%since 1990
from 20.9 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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 108,724 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Costa Mesa, California earns about $50,732 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 $263,700, and the typical rent is about $956 a month.

How educated are people in Costa Mesa, California?

About 29.1% 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 12.6% of people in Costa Mesa, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Costa Mesa, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Costa Mesa, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,367 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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

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