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CITY · 2020 ACS

Costa Mesa

California · 111,918 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 $90,370. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $807,000.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.9
US median: 38.8
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 104%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
111,918
+3%since 2000
from 108,724 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
7,081 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 6,879 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.9
+12%since 2000
from 32.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
95K100K105K110K115K1990201020202024Costa Mesa
2024110K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$90,370
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,732 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$44,291
+90%since 2000
from $23,342 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
59.7%
+18.7 ptssince 2009
from 41.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services9.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade8.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$807,000
+104%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $263,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,927
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $956 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
38.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 40.5% in 2000
61.1% rent
Afford Score
8.9
+72%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic48.4%(54,169)
Black1.2%(1,306)
Hispanic / Latino36.5%(40,795)
Asian8.4%(9,455)
Other4.4%(4,932)
Diversity Score76.9%(86,041)
Diversity Score
77
+14%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.1%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 29.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.3%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.7 min
+48%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 7.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
72.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 73.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
42.6%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
49.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
24.7%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 28.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.4%
−66.7 ptssince 2013
from 78.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Costa Mesa

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Pop 101,582
Sandy Springs
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+28%
Home value$1,072,300+33%
Population55,508−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COSTA MESA VS
Newport Beach
Income$156,867+74%
Home value$2,000,001+148%
Population81,977−25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COSTA MESA VS
Santa Ana
Income$93,999+4%
Home value$713,000−12%
Population315,586+190%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COSTA MESA VS
Huntington Beach
Income$120,919+34%
Home value$1,100,000+36%
Population191,451+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Costa Mesa, California?

Costa Mesa, California has about 111,918 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Costa Mesa, California earns about $90,370 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 $807,000, and the typical rent is about $1,927 a month.

How educated are people in Costa Mesa, California?

About 41.1% 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 10.3% 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 15,561 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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

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