CensusEasy
CITY · INCORPORATED 1850 · 2020 ACS

San Diego

California · 1,386,932 residents · 326.087 sq mi
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The short version

San Diego is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $83,454. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $629,500.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
47% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 90%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,386,932
+13%since 2000
from 1,223,400 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,253 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 3,752 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.8
+10%since 2000
from 32.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1.1M1.2M1.3M1.3M1.4M1990201020202024San Diego
20241.4M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$83,454
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,733 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,090
+83%since 2000
from $23,609 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
54.6%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.8%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade9.6%
US avg: 10%
Information9.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$629,500
+90%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $220,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,770
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $763 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 49.5% in 2000
53.7% rent
Afford Score
7.5
+57%since 2000
from 4.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Diego on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic49.4%(603,892)
Black7.6%(92,830)
Hispanic / Latino25.4%(310,752)
Asian13.5%(164,895)
Other0%
Diversity Score79.8%(976,207)
2020
White, non-Hispanic40.7%(565,128)
Black5.6%(77,542)
Hispanic / Latino29.7%(411,286)
Asian17.6%(243,438)
Other5%(68,946)
Diversity Score87.6%(1,214,969)
Diversity Score
88
+10%since 2000
from 80 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.7%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 35.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 82.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.2%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.5 min
+70%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
49.3%
−20.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
25.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.5%
−75.9 ptssince 2013
from 83.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+14%
Home value$812,000+29%
Population59,914−96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
Lemon Grove
Income$88,009+5%
Home value$705,400+12%
Population27,936−98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
Santee
Income$113,394+36%
Home value$727,200+16%
Population58,205−96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
El Cajon
Income$67,511−19%
Home value$681,700+8%
Population101,755−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Diego, California?

San Diego, California has about 1,386,932 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in San Diego, California earns about $83,454 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 $629,500, and the typical rent is about $1,770 a month.

How educated are people in San Diego, California?

About 46.7% 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 11.8% 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 276,383 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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

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