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CITY · 2020 ACS

Vista

California · 98,381 residents · 18.746 sq mi
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The short version

Vista is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $73,163. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $503,500.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 78%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
98,381
+9%since 2000
from 89,857 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,248 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 4,793 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.0
+16%since 2000
from 30.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
69K78K86K95K104K1990201020202024Vista
202499K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,163
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,594 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,781
+71%since 2000
from $18,027 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
48.7%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 34.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade10.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$503,500
+78%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $188,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,731
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $788 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.4%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 54.2% in 2000
49.6% rent
Afford Score
6.9
+55%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic36.1%(35,518)
Black2.4%(2,410)
Hispanic / Latino50.6%(49,744)
Asian5.1%(4,984)
Other4.4%(4,341)
Diversity Score74.7%(73,497)
Diversity Score
75
+6%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.1%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.1 min
+47%since 2000
from 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.9%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 64.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.7%
−30.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
49.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
25.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.4%
−64.0 ptssince 2013
from 75.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Vista

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Pop 99,183
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North Port
Pop 96,551
Places similar to Vista
Head to head

Compare Vista to nearby cities

VISTA VS
Oceanside
Income$97,737+34%
Home value$770,300+53%
Population170,483+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VISTA VS
Carlsbad
Income$142,748+95%
Home value$1,257,000+150%
Population112,260+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VISTA VS
San Marcos
Income$109,377+49%
Home value$868,000+72%
Population94,908−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VISTA VS
Camp Pendleton South
Income$69,853−5%
Home value$79,300−84%
Population15,766−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Vista, California?

Vista, California has about 98,381 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Vista, California?

The typical household in Vista, California earns about $73,163 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 $503,500, and the typical rent is about $1,731 a month.

How educated are people in Vista, California?

About 25.1% 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 11.3% of people in Vista, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Vista, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Vista, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 26,509 residents, a change of about 37 percent over that period.

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

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