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CITY

Poway

California · 49,180 residents (2025 est.) · 39.078 sq mi
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Part of the San Diego metro area
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Notable rankings
#239Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,034,800
The short version

Poway is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $148,359. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $1,034,800. Poverty is rare here, at 5.6% of residents. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
54% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 108%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
48,713
+1%since 2000
from 48,044 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,247 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 1,229 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.2
+12%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:49,180 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
43K45K47K49K51K1990201020202024Poway
202449K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$148,359
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,708 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$63,948
+115%since 2000
from $29,788 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
75.9%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.425
+1%since 2010
from 0.420 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade12.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,034,800
+108%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $272,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,301
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $910 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.7% in 2000
24.8% rent
Vacancy rate
3.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.4%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.3%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
7.0
+83%since 2000
from 3.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Poway on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.2%(37,092)
Black1.6%(752)
Hispanic / Latino10.4%(4,974)
Asian7.3%(3,530)
Other0%
Diversity Score42.7%(20,536)
2024
White, non-Hispanic57.8%(28,177)
Black2.7%(1,329)
Hispanic / Latino18.8%(9,178)
Asian12.3%(5,999)
Other8.3%(4,030)
Diversity Score75.9%(36,971)
Diversity Score
76
+78%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
54.2%
+14.9 ptssince 2000
from 39.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 93.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
23.2%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.3 min
+45%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
64.8%
−13.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.7%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
23.9%
+18.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
61.6%
−9.5 ptssince 2009
from 71.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
48.5%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
18.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2012
from 8.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.3%
−88.5 ptssince 2013
from 91.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.6%
+3.1 ptssince 2017
from 92.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
75.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 75.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 10.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Poway to nearby cities

POWAY VS
Ramona
Income$107,427−28%
Home value$766,400−26%
Population22,634−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POWAY VS
Santee
Income$113,394−24%
Home value$727,200−30%
Population58,205+18%
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POWAY VS
Escondido
Income$91,967−38%
Home value$714,500−31%
Population146,030+197%
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POWAY VS
Lakeside CDP (San Diego County)
Income$96,447−35%
Home value$634,400−39%
Population22,447−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Poway, California?

Poway, California has about 48,713 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Poway, California?

The typical household in Poway, California earns about $148,359 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Poway, California expensive?

In Poway, California, the median home is worth about $1,034,800, and the typical rent is about $2,301 a month.

How educated are people in Poway, California?

About 54.2% of adults age 25 and over in Poway, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Poway, California?

About 5.6% of people in Poway, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Poway, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Poway, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,197 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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Poway, California: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy