City · California
Carlsbad, California
Carlsbad, city, in San Diego County, California. Carlsbad had 112,260 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 114,746 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 114,373 (±104). GEOID 0611194.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
112,260
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 114,746 · ACS 2020-2024: 114,373 ±104
Median household income
$142,748
±$7,547 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$1,257,000
±$36,014 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,808
±$100 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Carlsbad and what county is it in?
Carlsbad is a city in San Diego County, California. It covers 37.8 square miles of land, 3,035 residents per square mile in 2020.
Carlsbad is in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Carlsbad, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 112,260 people lived in Carlsbad on July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 114,746 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 114,373 (±104).
| Measure | Carlsbad | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 114,373 ±104 | 3,288,774 | +120 |
| Households | 44,038 ±942 | 1,171,278 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.58 ±0.06 | 2.72 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 47,314 ±968 | 1,250,641 | no clear change |
Carlsbad's population since 2000
From 78,247 in 2000 to 112,260 in 2025: up 43.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Carlsbad as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Carlsbad?
The median resident of Carlsbad is 42.5 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 17.4%. 14.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carlsbad | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5 ±1.0 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.4% ±1.0 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8% ±1.0 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±1.0 pts | 50.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.4% ±1.7 pts | 34.6% | +3.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 65.7% ±1.9 pts | 42.4% | −7.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.4 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 8.0% ±1.5 pts | 12.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.8% ±1.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.1% ±1.3 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.7% ±1.7 pts | 37.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0% ±0.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 8.5% ±0.9 pts | 11.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.0% ±1.0 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.3% ±0.8 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 62.1% ±1.7 pts | 43.2% | +2.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 25.8% ±1.3 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.9% ±1.7 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3% ±0.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Carlsbad earn?
Half of Carlsbad's 44,038 households earn less than $142,748 a year (±$7,547), against $106,268 in San Diego County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $135,965 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carlsbad | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $142,748 ±$7,547 | $106,268 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $185,281 ±$6,863 | $141,250 | – |
| Per capita income | $72,390 ±$2,684 | $51,976 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.9% ±1.4 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.2% ±2.7 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.8% ±0.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.2% ±0.7 pts | 97.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.1% ±0.8 pts | 94.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Carlsbad?
Owners occupy 62.9% of Carlsbad's occupied homes and renters 37.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,257,000 by its owner (±$36,014). The median renter pays $2,808 a month including utilities, and 49.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carlsbad | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,257,000 ±$36,014 | $854,700 | +$254,354 |
| Median gross rent | $2,808 ±$100 | $2,246 | +$316 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.2% ±3.5 pts | 47.7% | +11.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,741 ±$129 | $3,184 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.9% ±1.8 pts | 54.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.1% ±1.8 pts | 45.4% | – |
| Housing units | 47,314 ±968 | 1,250,641 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6% ±1.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.9% ±1.8 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% ±0.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.1% ±1.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.2% ±1.0 pts | 5.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Carlsbad building?
Builders took permits for 350 new housing units in Carlsbad in 2025 (163 in single-family houses), 3.1 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Carlsbad work and get to work?
59.6% of Carlsbad's workers drive alone and 31.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Carlsbad | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.6% ±1.5 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% ±1.3 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 59.6% ±1.9 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0% ±1.2 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.3% ±0.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 31.9% ±2.0 pts | 18.7% | +17.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.1 min ±1.0 | 25.5 min | −2.1 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Carlsbad?
23 census tracts lie mostly in Carlsbad, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $75,908 (Tract 179.01) to $247,222 (Tract 200.34).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 200.30San Diego County | 8,033 | $170,288 |
| Tract 221.02San Diego County | 7,247 | $152,627 |
| Tract 178.01San Diego County | 6,941 | $111,118 |
| Tract 178.11San Diego County | 6,485 | $170,540 |
| Tract 200.35San Diego County | 6,480 | $200,915 |
| Tract 171.09San Diego County | 6,290 | $184,881 |
| Tract 198.11San Diego County | 6,394 | $136,513 |
| Tract 200.15San Diego County | 5,500 | $184,063 |
| Tract 178.08San Diego County | 5,433 | $168,897 |
| Tract 178.10San Diego County | 5,126 | $104,137 |
| Tract 198.03San Diego County | 5,783 | $109,795 |
| Tract 178.13San Diego County | 4,583 | $135,860 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Carlsbad) · Census block assignment files
How does Carlsbad compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Carlsbad is the 286th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 59th-most populous of 483 in California.
Carlsbad ranks 172nd of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 59th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 267th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 453rd | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 172nd | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 182nd | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 135th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 132nd | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 654th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 141st | 988 |
| Median age | 401st | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 606th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 95th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 578th | 1,069 |
Carlsbad's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Carlsbad with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Carlsbad?
3 of the 57 figures for Carlsbad on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Carlsbad are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Carlsbad.