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CITY

La Mesa

California · 59,914 residents (2025 est.) · 9.092 sq mi
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The short version

La Mesa is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $95,028. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $812,000. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 131%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
60,797
+11%since 2000
from 54,749 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,687 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 6,022 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.4
Unchangedsince 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:59,914 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
52K55K57K59K62K1990201020202024La Mesa
202461K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$95,028
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,693 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$49,543
+121%since 2000
from $22,372 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.2%
+28.2 ptssince 2009
from 32.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.428
+1%since 2010
from 0.423 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information8.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade6.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$812,000
+131%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $192,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,049
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $759 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
47.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 47.2% in 2000
52.3% rent
Vacancy rate
4.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.0%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.5
+85%since 2000
from 4.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
71
RELATED:See current rent listings in La Mesa on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic73.7%(40,371)
Black4.7%(2,561)
Hispanic / Latino13.5%(7,402)
Asian4%(2,177)
Other0%
Diversity Score48.1%(26,345)
2024
White, non-Hispanic50.8%(30,863)
Black7.7%(4,689)
Hispanic / Latino27.9%(16,961)
Asian5.9%(3,579)
Other7.7%(4,705)
Diversity Score81.1%(49,327)
Diversity Score
81
+69%since 2000
from 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.6%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 27.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.5%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 89.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.9%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.8 min
+58%since 2000
from 15.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.9%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.8%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.8%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
69.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
48.5%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 68.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
13.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.3%
−36.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2012
from 11.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−80.0 ptssince 2013
from 84.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.5%
+6.1 ptssince 2017
from 87.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
76.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 76.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
14.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 14.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare La Mesa to nearby cities

LA MESA VS
Lemon Grove
Income$88,009−7%
Home value$705,400−13%
Population27,936−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
Income$125,107+32%
Home value$952,400+17%
Population19,765−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County)
Income$109,110+15%
Home value$714,700−12%
Population31,969−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
La Presa
Income$93,479−2%
Home value$629,700−22%
Population34,962−42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in La Mesa, California?

La Mesa, California has about 60,797 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in La Mesa, California earns about $95,028 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is La Mesa, California expensive?

In La Mesa, California, the median home is worth about $812,000, and the typical rent is about $2,049 a month.

How educated are people in La Mesa, California?

About 40.6% of adults age 25 and over in La Mesa, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in La Mesa, California?

About 11.5% of people in La Mesa, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has La Mesa, California grown since 1990?

Yes, La Mesa, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,866 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →