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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Vista

California · 71,872 residents · 18.746 sq mi
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The short version

Vista has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $32,553. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 17,985 residents. Median home value is $183,200.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 29.8
US median: 33.0
Average education
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
71,872
−20%vs 2000
vs 89,857 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,834 / sq mi
−20%vs 2000
vs 4,793 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
29.8
−2%vs 2000
vs 30.3 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
69K78K86K95K104K1990201020202024Vista
202499K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,553
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $42,594 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,983
−22%vs 2000
vs $18,027 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
11.7%
−2.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 14.2% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$183,200
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $188,700 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$631
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $788 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
53.9%
−0.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 54.2% in 2000
46.1% rent
Afford Score
5.6
+27%vs 2000
vs 4.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Vista on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic49.9%(44,844)
Black3.9%(3,535)
Hispanic / Latino38.9%(34,990)
Asian3.6%(3,206)
Other0%
Diversity Score70.7%(63,497)
1990
White, non-Hispanic80.7%(57,991)
Black4.3%(3,076)
Hispanic / Latino24.2%(17,371)
Asian4%(2,887)
Other11%(7,918)
Diversity Score66.2%(47,593)
Diversity Score
66
−6%vs 2000
vs 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
−1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 19.6% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
79.4%
+3.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 75.9% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
5.2%
−1.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 6.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.0 min
+30%vs 2000
vs 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Vista

Plantation
Pop 99,183
Alafaya
Pop 92,449
Doral
Pop 81,634
North Port
Pop 96,551
Places similar to Vista
Head to head

Compare Vista to nearby cities

VISTA VS
Oceanside
Income$97,737+200%
Home value$770,300+320%
Population170,483+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VISTA VS
Carlsbad
Income$142,748+339%
Home value$1,257,000+586%
Population112,260+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VISTA VS
San Marcos
Income$109,377+236%
Home value$868,000+374%
Population94,908−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VISTA VS
Camp Pendleton South
Income$69,853+115%
Home value$79,300−57%
Population15,766−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Vista, California?

Vista, California has about 71,872 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Vista, California?

The typical household in Vista, California earns about $32,553 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Vista, California expensive?

In Vista, California, the median home is worth about $183,200, and the typical rent is about $631 a month.

How educated are people in Vista, California?

About 18.4% of adults age 25 and over in Vista, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Vista, California?

About 11.7% of people in Vista, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →