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CITY

South El Monte

California · 18,963 residents (2025 est.) · 2.844 sq mi
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#127Most foreign-born residentsof 6,82645.6%
The short version

South El Monte has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,990. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $601,000. The poverty rate of 20.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 26% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 116%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,287
−9%since 2000
from 21,144 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,782 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 7,435 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.2
+38%since 2000
from 26.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:18,963 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K20K21K22K1990201020202024South El Monte
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,990
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,656 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,948
+136%since 2000
from $10,130 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.0%
+29.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.415
+13%since 2010
from 0.367 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade12.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade8.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing7.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$601,000
+116%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $152,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,752
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $684 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 49.0% in 2000
49.5% rent
Vacancy rate
3.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
33.9%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 42.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
62.7%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.2
+87%since 2000
from 4.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
45
RELATED:See current rent listings in South El Monte on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic4.8%(1,005)
Black0.1%(29)
Hispanic / Latino86%(18,190)
Asian8.3%(1,749)
Other0%
Diversity Score29.8%(6,304)
2024
White, non-Hispanic3.4%(653)
Black0.9%(179)
Hispanic / Latino74.3%(14,333)
Asian20.5%(3,953)
Other0.9%(169)
Diversity Score50.6%(9,750)
Diversity Score
51
+70%since 2000
from 30 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.5%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
55.1%
+19.5 ptssince 2000
from 35.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 1.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.3 min
+56%since 2000
from 17.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
3.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.7%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 7.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 62.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.1%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Female
50.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Foreign born
45.6%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.4%
−51.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2012
from 9.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.0%
−56.3 ptssince 2013
from 69.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.4%
+23.3 ptssince 2017
from 65.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
18.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2016
from 17.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
61.8%
−7.4 ptssince 2016
from 69.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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SOUTH EL MONTE VS
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SOUTH EL MONTE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in South El Monte, California?

South El Monte, California has about 19,287 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South El Monte, California?

The typical household in South El Monte, California earns about $72,990 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South El Monte, California expensive?

In South El Monte, California, the median home is worth about $601,000, and the typical rent is about $1,752 a month.

How educated are people in South El Monte, California?

About 10.5% of adults age 25 and over in South El Monte, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South El Monte, California?

About 20.9% of people in South El Monte, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has South El Monte, California grown since 1990?

Yes, South El Monte, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,563 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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