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CITY · 2010 ACS

El Cajon

California · 99,478 residents · 14.51 sq mi
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The short version

El Cajon has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $47,048. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $388,900. Despite a median home value of $388,900, the poverty rate sits 53% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.7
US median: 37.2
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 72%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
99,478
+5%since 2000
from 94,869 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,856 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 6,538 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.7
+6%since 2000
from 31.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
87K92K97K103K108K1990201020202024El Cajon
2024104K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,048
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,566 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,150
+27%since 2000
from $16,698 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
27.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
21.3%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.434
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade9.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade7.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services6%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$388,900
+72%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $178,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,017
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $671 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
31.1%
−9.4 ptssince 2000
from 40.5% in 2000
58.7% rent
Vacancy rate
7.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
42.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 57.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
8.3
+65%since 2000
from 5.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in El Cajon on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic64.5%(61,188)
Black5.1%(4,828)
Hispanic / Latino22.5%(21,313)
Asian2.6%(2,511)
Other0%
Diversity Score59.5%(56,469)
2010
White, non-Hispanic56.8%(56,462)
Black6%(5,939)
Hispanic / Latino28.2%(28,036)
Asian3.4%(3,375)
Other5.5%(5,501)
Diversity Score73.7%(73,277)
Diversity Score
74
+24%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
79.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 79.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.5 min
+33%since 2000
from 17.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
76.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
4.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
25.8%
−33.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
25.0%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.3%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare El Cajon to nearby cities

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EL CAJON VS
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EL CAJON VS
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EL CAJON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in El Cajon, California?

El Cajon, California has about 99,478 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in El Cajon, California?

The typical household in El Cajon, California earns about $47,048 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is El Cajon, California expensive?

In El Cajon, California, the median home is worth about $388,900, and the typical rent is about $1,017 a month.

How educated are people in El Cajon, California?

About 16.2% of adults age 25 and over in El Cajon, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in El Cajon, California?

About 21.3% of people in El Cajon, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has El Cajon, California grown since 1990?

Yes, El Cajon, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 10,785 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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

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