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CITY · 2010 ACS

Costa Mesa

California · 109,960 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 $64,864. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $644,900.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.6
US median: 37.2
More educated
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 93%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
109,960
+1%since 2000
from 108,724 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,957 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 6,879 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.6
+5%since 2000
from 32.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
95K100K105K110K115K1990201020202024Costa Mesa
2024110K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$64,864
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,732 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,338
+43%since 2000
from $23,342 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
42.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
13.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.448
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services10.1%
US avg: 7%
Retail trade9.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration6.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$644,900
+93%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $263,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,422
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $956 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
30.8%
−9.7 ptssince 2000
from 40.5% in 2000
60.4% rent
Vacancy rate
6.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
42.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
9.9
+91%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic51.8%(56,993)
Black1.2%(1,352)
Hispanic / Latino35.8%(39,403)
Asian7.7%(8,483)
Other3.1%(3,420)
Diversity Score74.2%(81,590)
Diversity Score
74
+10%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.9%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 29.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
85.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
10.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 8.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.3 min
+45%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
73.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
3.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
5.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
8.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
37.9%
−25.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
49.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
27.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 28.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
5.5%
−46.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Costa Mesa

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Pop 101,582
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Pop 105,013
Riverview
Pop 113,697
Alafaya
Pop 92,449
Places similar to Costa Mesa
Head to head

Compare Costa Mesa to nearby cities

COSTA MESA VS
Fountain Valley
Income$115,237+78%
Home value$1,072,300+66%
Population55,508−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COSTA MESA VS
Newport Beach
Income$156,867+142%
Home value$2,000,001+210%
Population81,977−25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COSTA MESA VS
Santa Ana
Income$93,999+45%
Home value$713,000+11%
Population315,586+190%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COSTA MESA VS
Huntington Beach
Income$120,919+86%
Home value$1,100,000+71%
Population191,451+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Costa Mesa, California?

Costa Mesa, California has about 109,960 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Costa Mesa, California earns about $64,864 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 $644,900, and the typical rent is about $1,422 a month.

How educated are people in Costa Mesa, California?

About 33.9% 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 13.3% 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 13,603 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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

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