CensusEasy
CITY · INCORPORATED 1850 · 2000 CENSUS

San Diego

California · 1,223,400 residents · 326.087 sq mi
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The short version

San Diego has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $45,733. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $220,000.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 32.5
US median: 35.2
More educated
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 11%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,223,400
+10%since 1990
from 1,110,549 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,752 / sq mi
+10%since 1990
from 3,406 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
32.5
+6%since 1990
from 30.7 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1.1M1.2M1.3M1.3M1.4M1990201020202024San Diego
20241.4M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,733
+3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $33,686 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,609
+44%since 1990
from $16,401 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
14.6%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 13.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$220,000
−11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $188,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$763
−4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $602 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
49.5%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 48.3% in 1990
50.5% rent
Afford Score
4.8
−14%since 1990
from 5.6 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Diego on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic67.2%(746,381)
Black9.3%(103,668)
Hispanic / Latino20.1%(223,616)
Asian11.8%(131,444)
Diversity Score79.2%(879,884)
2000
White, non-Hispanic49.4%(603,892)
Black7.6%(92,830)
Hispanic / Latino25.4%(310,752)
Asian13.5%(164,895)
Diversity Score79.8%(976,207)
Diversity Score
80
+1%since 1990
from 79 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
+5.2 ptssince 1990
from 29.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
82.8%
+0.5 ptssince 1990
from 82.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
13.4%
+2.7 ptssince 1990
from 10.6% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.4 min
−33%since 1990
from 21.5 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Explore

Neighborhoods in San Diego

Allied GardensBalboa ParkBarrio LoganBay HoBay ParkBay TerracesBlack Mountain RanchCarmel MountainCarmel ValleyCastleClairemont Mesa EastClairemont Mesa WestColina del SolCollege EastCollege WestCore-ColumbiaCorridorDel CerroEastEgger HighlandsEncantoGolden HillHillcrestJomacha-LomitaKensingtonLa JollaLake MurrayLincoln ParkLinda VistaLogan HeightsMarinaMidtownMidway DistrictMira MesaMiramar Ranch NorthMission Bay ParkMission HillsMission Valley EastMorenaMountain ViewNestorNormal HeightsNorth CityNorth ClairemontNorth ParkOak ParkOcean BeachOcean CrestOtay MesaOtay Mesa WestPacific BeachParadise HillsPark WestPoint Loma HeightsRancho BernardoRancho PenasquitosRoseville - Fleet RidgeSabre SpringsSan YsidroScripps RanchSerra MesaSorrento ValleySouthcrestTalmadgeTierrasantaTorrey PinesUniversity CityUniversity HeightsValencia ParkNeighborhoods in San Diego
Drill deeper

Places similar to San Diego

Austin
Pop 1,002,632
Phoenix
Pop 1,665,481
Washington
Pop 693,645
Dallas
Pop 1,329,491
Places similar to San Diego
Head to head

Compare San Diego to nearby cities

SAN DIEGO VS
La Mesa
Income$95,028+108%
Home value$812,000+269%
Population59,914−96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
Lemon Grove
Income$88,009+92%
Home value$705,400+221%
Population27,936−98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
Santee
Income$113,394+148%
Home value$727,200+231%
Population58,205−96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
El Cajon
Income$67,511+48%
Home value$681,700+210%
Population101,755−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Diego, California?

San Diego, California has about 1,223,400 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in San Diego, California?

The typical household in San Diego, California earns about $45,733 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Diego, California expensive?

In San Diego, California, the median home is worth about $220,000, and the typical rent is about $763 a month.

How educated are people in San Diego, California?

About 35.0% of adults age 25 and over in San Diego, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Diego, California?

About 14.6% of people in San Diego, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Diego, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Diego, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 112,851 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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

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