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CITY · 2020 ACS

La Mesa

California · 61,121 residents · 9.092 sq mi
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The short version

La Mesa has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $71,287. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $564,900.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 95%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
61,121
+12%since 2000
from 54,749 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,723 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 6,022 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.3
+3%since 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
52K55K57K59K62K1990201020202024La Mesa
202461K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,287
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,693 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,775
+64%since 2000
from $22,372 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
47.4%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 32.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.4%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information9.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.4%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$564,900
+95%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $192,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,607
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $759 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 47.2% in 2000
55.1% rent
Afford Score
7.9
+71%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic53.4%(32,644)
Black6.5%(3,954)
Hispanic / Latino25.7%(15,686)
Asian6.4%(3,935)
Other5.9%(3,606)
Diversity Score77.6%(47,459)
Diversity Score
78
+61%since 2000
from 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.1%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 27.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 89.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.2%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.3 min
+74%since 2000
from 15.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
43.4%
−25.5 ptssince 2009
from 68.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
15.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.5%
−79.4 ptssince 2013
from 84.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare La Mesa to nearby cities

LA MESA VS
Lemon Grove
Income$88,009+23%
Home value$705,400+25%
Population27,936−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
Income$125,107+75%
Home value$952,400+69%
Population19,765−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County)
Income$109,110+53%
Home value$714,700+27%
Population31,969−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA MESA VS
La Presa
Income$93,479+31%
Home value$629,700+11%
Population34,962−42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in La Mesa, California?

La Mesa, California has about 61,121 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in La Mesa, California earns about $71,287 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 $564,900, and the typical rent is about $1,607 a month.

How educated are people in La Mesa, California?

About 37.1% 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 12.4% 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 8,190 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

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