City · California
Oceanside, California
Oceanside, city, in San Diego County, California. Oceanside had 170,483 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 174,068 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 172,242 (±131). GEOID 0653322.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
170,483
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 174,068 · ACS 2020-2024: 172,242 ±131
Median household income
$97,737
±$4,411 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$770,300
±$12,686 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,303
±$37 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Oceanside and what county is it in?
Oceanside is a city in San Diego County, California. It covers 41.3 square miles of land, 4,218 residents per square mile in 2020.
Oceanside 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 Oceanside, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 170,483 people lived in Oceanside on July 1, 2025, down 2.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 174,068 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 172,242 (±131).
| Measure | Oceanside | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 172,242 ±131 | 3,288,774 | −3,380 |
| Households | 61,947 ±1,012 | 1,171,278 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.75 ±0.05 | 2.72 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 66,997 ±1,094 | 1,250,641 | no clear change |
Oceanside's population since 2000
From 161,029 in 2000 to 170,483 in 2025: up 5.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Oceanside 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 Oceanside?
The median resident of Oceanside is 38.9 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 17.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 42.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 37.5%. 21.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Oceanside | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.9 ±0.6 | 37.3 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 20.2% ±0.8 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.0% ±0.6 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Male | 50.4% ±0.7 pts | 50.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 37.5% ±1.4 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.6% ±1.4 pts | 42.4% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.2% ±0.6 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 8.2% ±0.7 pts | 12.1% | +1.0 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.3% ±0.7 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 21.7% ±1.0 pts | 22.8% | +1.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 34.2% ±1.4 pts | 37.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.8% ±0.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4% ±0.6 pts | 11.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3% ±1.0 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7% ±0.9 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.2% ±1.3 pts | 43.2% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.9% ±0.8 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.5% ±1.0 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2% ±0.4 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 Oceanside earn?
Half of Oceanside's 61,947 households earn less than $97,737 a year (±$4,411), against $106,268 in San Diego County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $89,468 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,269 after inflation. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Oceanside | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $97,737 ±$4,411 | $106,268 | +$8,269 |
| Mean household income | $121,802 ±$2,915 | $141,250 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,943 ±$1,083 | $51,976 | +$3,590 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3% ±0.8 pts | 10.3% | −1.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.7% ±2.0 pts | 11.8% | −6.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.2% ±0.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.1% ±0.4 pts | 97.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.4% ±0.6 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 Oceanside?
Owners occupy 58.3% of Oceanside's occupied homes and renters 41.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $770,300 by its owner (±$12,686). The median renter pays $2,303 a month including utilities, and 48.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Oceanside | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $770,300 ±$12,686 | $854,700 | +$164,060 |
| Median gross rent | $2,303 ±$37 | $2,246 | +$146 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.8% ±2.8 pts | 47.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,907 ±$70 | $3,184 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.3% ±1.5 pts | 54.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.7% ±1.5 pts | 45.4% | – |
| Housing units | 66,997 ±1,094 | 1,250,641 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.8% ±1.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.2% ±1.3 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.4% ±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0% ±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.4% ±0.7 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.7% ±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.5% ±0.7 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 Oceanside building?
Builders took permits for 857 new housing units in Oceanside in 2025 (364 in single-family houses), 5.0 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 Oceanside work and get to work?
70.3% of Oceanside's workers drive alone and 16.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Oceanside | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2% ±0.9 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% ±0.8 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.3% ±1.6 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7% ±0.9 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.8% ±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.4% ±0.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.0% ±1.3 pts | 18.7% | +10.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.7 min ±0.8 | 25.5 min | −1.2 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 Oceanside?
44 census tracts lie mostly in Oceanside, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $51,607 (Tract 186.16) to $150,918 (Tract 186.19).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 185.04San Diego County | 6,885 | $96,023 |
| Tract 193.01San Diego County | 6,412 | $125,564 |
| Tract 186.09San Diego County | 6,249 | $76,579 |
| Tract 185.09San Diego County | 5,559 | $71,371 |
| Tract 185.22San Diego County | 5,332 | $146,406 |
| Tract 185.20San Diego County | 5,213 | $99,671 |
| Tract 185.23San Diego County | 5,210 | $106,071 |
| Tract 185.15San Diego County | 5,116 | $116,161 |
| Tract 186.22San Diego County | 5,080 | $77,601 |
| Tract 185.21San Diego County | 4,856 | $102,679 |
| Tract 186.01San Diego County | 4,749 | $112,111 |
| Tract 198.08San Diego County | 4,584 | $109,675 |
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 Oceanside) · Census block assignment files
How does Oceanside compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Oceanside is the 157th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 29th-most populous of 483 in California.
Oceanside ranks 471st 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 | 29th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 262nd | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 301st | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 471st | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 490th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 387th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 270th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 565th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 415th | 988 |
| Median age | 579th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 721st | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 412th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 464th | 1,069 |
Oceanside's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Oceanside 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 Oceanside?
1 of the 57 figures for Oceanside on this page carries a coefficient of variation over 40% and is 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 Oceanside 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 Oceanside.