CensusEasy
CITY · 2010 ACS

La Mesa

California · 57,065 residents · 9.092 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the San Diego metro area
Compare
The short version

La Mesa has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $52,932. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $437,000.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 37.1
US median: 37.2
More educated
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 79%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
57,065
+4%since 2000
from 54,749 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,276 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 6,022 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
37.1
−1%since 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
52K55K57K59K62K1990201020202024La Mesa
202461K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,932
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,693 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,255
+31%since 2000
from $22,372 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
34.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 32.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
11.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.423
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade7.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services6.8%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$437,000
+79%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $192,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,137
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $759 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.0%
−13.2 ptssince 2000
from 47.2% in 2000
54.2% rent
Vacancy rate
6.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
42.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
8.3
+79%since 2000
from 4.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic61.9%(35,295)
Black7.2%(4,102)
Hispanic / Latino20.5%(11,696)
Asian5.5%(3,152)
Other5.8%(3,311)
Diversity Score71.4%(40,750)
Diversity Score
71
+48%since 2000
from 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.8%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 27.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
91.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 89.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
11.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.3 min
+48%since 2000
from 15.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
76.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
3.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
39.5%
−29.5 ptssince 2009
from 68.9% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
51.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
13.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.9%
−31.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to La Mesa

Bonita Springs
Pop 57,634
Apopka
Pop 65,552
Smyrna
Pop 57,513
Bozeman
Pop 58,814
Places similar to La Mesa
Head to head

Compare La Mesa to nearby cities

LA MESA VS
Lemon Grove
Income$88,009+66%
Home value$705,400+61%
Population27,936−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
Income$125,107+136%
Home value$952,400+118%
Population19,765−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County)
Income$109,110+106%
Home value$714,700+64%
Population31,969−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
La Presa
Income$93,479+77%
Home value$629,700+44%
Population34,962−42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in La Mesa, California?

La Mesa, California has about 57,065 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in La Mesa, California earns about $52,932 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 $437,000, and the typical rent is about $1,137 a month.

How educated are people in La Mesa, California?

About 32.8% 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 11.7% 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 4,134 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
California
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare La Mesa with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →