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CITY

Santee

California · 58,205 residents (2025 est.) · 16.537 sq mi
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The short version

Santee is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $113,394. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $727,200. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 131%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
59,332
+12%since 2000
from 52,975 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,588 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 3,203 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.3
+16%since 2000
from 34.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:58,205 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
52K54K56K59K61K1990201020202024Santee
202459K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$113,394
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,624 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$49,612
+133%since 2000
from $21,311 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
68.0%
+24.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.409
+17%since 2010
from 0.349 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade8%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration4.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$727,200
+131%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $172,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,250
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $833 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 71.0% in 2000
27.6% rent
Vacancy rate
3.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.4%
−17.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
61.5%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.4
+99%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
77
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santee on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.8%(42,803)
Black1.4%(751)
Hispanic / Latino11.4%(6,016)
Asian2.5%(1,307)
Other0%
Diversity Score34.7%(18,366)
2024
White, non-Hispanic62.9%(37,341)
Black1.8%(1,041)
Hispanic / Latino20.9%(12,405)
Asian6.5%(3,858)
Other7.9%(4,687)
Diversity Score68.7%(40,748)
Diversity Score
69
+98%since 2000
from 35 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
+18.0 ptssince 2000
from 17.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 88.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.7 min
+54%since 2000
from 17.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.6%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.9%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.3%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 67.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.2%
−18.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
13.7%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.0%
−35.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2012
from 10.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.1%
−85.9 ptssince 2013
from 89.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.3%
+5.1 ptssince 2017
from 90.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
80.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2016
from 84.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 9.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Santee to nearby cities

SANTEE VS
Bostonia
Income$78,878−30%
Home value$487,600−33%
Population16,765−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTEE VS
Winter Gardens
Income$97,973−14%
Home value$608,600−16%
Population22,131−62%
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SANTEE VS
El Cajon
Income$67,511−40%
Home value$681,700−6%
Population101,755+75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTEE VS
Lakeside CDP (San Diego County)
Income$96,447−15%
Home value$634,400−13%
Population22,447−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santee, California?

Santee, California has about 59,332 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Santee, California?

The typical household in Santee, California earns about $113,394 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santee, California expensive?

In Santee, California, the median home is worth about $727,200, and the typical rent is about $2,250 a month.

How educated are people in Santee, California?

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

What is the poverty rate in Santee, California?

About 7.9% of people in Santee, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santee, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Santee, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,430 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

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