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CITY · 2020 ACS

National City

California · 56,173 residents · 7.348 sq mi
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The short version

National City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,176. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $428,800. Households here earn about 37% less than the California median. Despite a median home value of $428,800, the poverty rate sits 26% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 106%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
56,173
+4%since 2000
from 54,260 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
7,645 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 7,384 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.6
+24%since 2000
from 28.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
53K55K57K60K62K1990201020202024National City
202459K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,176
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,826 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,126
+100%since 2000
from $11,582 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.4%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.1%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 22.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade7.3%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$428,800
+106%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $138,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,266
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $573 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
32.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 35.0% in 2000
67.3% rent
Afford Score
8.7
+87%since 2000
from 4.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in National City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic14.1%(7,653)
Black5.2%(2,823)
Hispanic / Latino59.1%(32,053)
Asian18.2%(9,863)
Other0%
Diversity Score70.8%(38,391)
2020
White, non-Hispanic8%(4,470)
Black3.6%(1,996)
Hispanic / Latino66%(37,086)
Asian19.2%(10,813)
Other2.9%(1,610)
Diversity Score64.4%(36,178)
Diversity Score
64
−9%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
75.4%
+18.1 ptssince 2000
from 57.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.4 min
+75%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.0%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.2%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 11.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2011
from 61.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
19.4%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Foreign born
36.9%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 41.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.1%
−57.4 ptssince 2013
from 69.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to National City

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Pop 55,665
Stonecrest
Pop 61,337
Sanford
Pop 67,483
Gainesville
Pop 49,221
Places similar to National City
Head to head

Compare National City to nearby cities

NATIONAL CITY VS
Coronado
Income$134,534+174%
Home value$2,000,001+366%
Population21,094−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NATIONAL CITY VS
Bonita
Income$118,674+141%
Home value$962,800+125%
Population12,652−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NATIONAL CITY VS
Chula Vista
Income$108,032+120%
Home value$758,700+77%
Population275,533+377%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NATIONAL CITY VS
Lemon Grove
Income$88,009+79%
Home value$705,400+65%
Population27,936−52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in National City, California?

National City, California has about 56,173 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in National City, California?

The typical household in National City, California earns about $49,176 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is National City, California expensive?

In National City, California, the median home is worth about $428,800, and the typical rent is about $1,266 a month.

How educated are people in National City, California?

About 15.8% of adults age 25 and over in National City, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in National City, California?

About 16.1% of people in National City, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has National City, California grown since 1990?

Yes, National City, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,924 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

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

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