CensusEasy
METRO AREA · 1990 CENSUS

San Diego Metro

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 1 counties · 2,498,016 residents · 4,210.46 sq mi
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The short version

San Diego is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $35,022. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value is $186,200.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 31.0
US median: 33.0
More educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,498,016
−11%vs 2000
vs 2,813,833 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
593 / sq mi
−11%vs 2000
vs 668 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
31.0
−7%vs 2000
vs 33.2 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
2.4M2.7M2.9M3.2M3.4M1990201020202024San Diego
20243.3M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,022
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $47,067 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,220
−29%vs 2000
vs $22,926 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
11.3%
−1.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 12.4% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$186,200
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $212,000 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$611
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $761 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
53.8%
−1.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 55.4% in 2000
46.2% rent
Afford Score
5.3
+18%vs 2000
vs 4.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Diego on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic55%(1,548,833)
Black5.5%(154,487)
Hispanic / Latino26.7%(750,965)
Asian8.7%(245,297)
Other0%
Diversity Score72.7%(2,046,778)
1990
White, non-Hispanic75.1%(1,875,517)
Black6.3%(157,495)
Hispanic / Latino20%(498,578)
Asian8%(198,675)
Other10.7%(266,329)
Diversity Score70.7%(1,765,880)
Diversity Score
71
−3%vs 2000
vs 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.3%
−4.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 29.5% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
81.9%
−0.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 82.6% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
8.8%
−2.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 10.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.5 min
+40%vs 2000
vs 16.7 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.

In this metro

Principal cities

San DiegoCENTRAL1,406,106Chula VistaCENTRAL275,533CarlsbadCENTRAL112,260EncinitasCENTRAL60,736
What's inside

1 component county

San Diego CountyCENTRAL3,282,248
Drill deeper

Metros similar to San Diego

Denver
Pop 3,092,037
Baltimore
Pop 2,857,781
Minneapolis
Pop 3,790,295
Austin
Pop 2,620,945
Places similar to San Diego
Head to head

Compare San Diego side by side

SAN DIEGO VS
Denver
Income$107,207+206%
Home value$598,608+221%
Population3,092,037−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
Baltimore
Income$103,525+196%
Home value$390,167+110%
Population2,857,781−13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
Minneapolis
Income$100,194+186%
Home value$375,718+102%
Population3,790,295+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN DIEGO VS
Austin
Income$100,512+187%
Home value$473,482+154%
Population2,620,945−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA has about 2,498,016 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The typical household in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earns about $35,022 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA expensive?

In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, the median home is worth about $186,200, and the typical rent is about $611 a month.

How educated are people in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

About 25.3% of adults age 25 and over in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

About 11.3% of people in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →