City · California
San Juan Capistrano, California
San Juan Capistrano, city, in Orange County, California. San Juan Capistrano had 35,119 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 35,196 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 35,095 (±42). GEOID 0668028.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
35,119
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 35,196 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,095 ±42
Median household income
$129,457
±$9,965 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$993,800
±$47,270 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,438
±$197 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is San Juan Capistrano and what county is it in?
San Juan Capistrano is a city in Orange County, California. It covers 14.4 square miles of land, 2,439 residents per square mile in 2020.
San Juan Capistrano is in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (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 San Juan Capistrano, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 35,119 people lived in San Juan Capistrano on July 1, 2025, down 0.2% since 2020, in line with California (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 35,196 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 35,095 (±42).
| Measure | San Juan Capistrano | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,095 ±42 | 3,165,820 | −827 |
| Households | 12,252 ±485 | 1,082,960 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.84 ±0.11 | 2.87 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,071 ±486 | 1,146,169 | no clear change |
San Juan Capistrano's population since 2000
From 33,826 in 2000 to 35,119 in 2025: up 3.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano?
The median resident of San Juan Capistrano is 46.2 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 21.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 55.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 34.6%. 17.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | San Juan Capistrano | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.2 ±2.6 | 39.4 | +4.7 |
| Under 18 years | 21.1% ±1.9 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.5% ±2.2 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±2.0 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 34.6% ±3.4 pts | 34.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 55.4% ±3.5 pts | 36.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±1.6 pts | 22.2% | +2.1 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9% ±1.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 17.4% ±2.3 pts | 30.4% | −4.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 31.0% ±3.4 pts | 46.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5% ±1.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| With a disability | 10.1% ±1.7 pts | 9.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.1% ±1.7 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7% ±2.2 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 43.4% ±2.7 pts | 44.1% | +7.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.7% ±2.2 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.8% ±1.5 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
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 San Juan Capistrano earn?
Half of San Juan Capistrano's 12,252 households earn less than $129,457 a year (±$9,965), against $116,289 in Orange County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $112,732 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $16,725 after inflation. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | San Juan Capistrano | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $129,457 ±$9,965 | $116,289 | +$16,725 |
| Mean household income | $180,367 ±$13,573 | $156,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $63,646 ±$4,786 | $54,557 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3% ±3.4 pts | 9.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.9% ±5.3 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.8% ±1.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.0% ±1.5 pts | 97.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.7% ±1.6 pts | 95.0% | – |
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 San Juan Capistrano?
Owners occupy 81.0% of San Juan Capistrano's occupied homes and renters 19.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $993,800 by its owner (±$47,270). The median renter pays $2,438 a month including utilities, and 42.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | San Juan Capistrano | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $993,800 ±$47,270 | $962,600 | +$107,454 |
| Median gross rent | $2,438 ±$197 | $2,434 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.2% ±8.2 pts | 47.0% | −15.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,481 ±$223 | $3,385 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.0% ±3.1 pts | 56.4% | +6.6 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 19.0% ±3.1 pts | 43.6% | – |
| Housing units | 13,071 ±486 | 1,146,169 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8% ±1.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.4% ±2.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.5% ±3.7 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.9% ±2.8 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±0.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.3% ±1.8 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.4% ±0.9 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.4% ±1.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
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 San Juan Capistrano building?
Builders took permits for 14 new housing units in San Juan Capistrano in 2025 (14 in single-family houses), 0.4 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 San Juan Capistrano work and get to work?
66.2% of San Juan Capistrano's workers drive alone and 17.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | San Juan Capistrano | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.9% ±3.1 pts | 65.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% ±1.3 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.2% ±3.7 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3% ±2.4 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 3.9% ±1.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.3% ±2.9 pts | 18.5% | +8.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.5 min ±2.5 | 26.7 min | no clear change |
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 San Juan Capistrano?
4 census tracts lie mostly in San Juan Capistrano, and 8 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $79,405 (Tract 423.40) to $189,091 (Tract 320.61).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 422.03Orange County | 9,842 | $137,607 |
| Tract 423.12Orange County | 7,196 | $109,765 |
| Tract 320.61Orange County | 5,945 | $189,091 |
| Tract 423.11Orange County | 6,413 | $139,389 |
| Tract 423.41Orange County | 6,229 | $129,785 |
| Tract 423.40Orange County | 2,636 | $79,405 |
| Tract 320.22Orange County | 6,775 | $108,605 |
| Tract 422.01Orange County | 5,766 | $126,250 |
| Tract 320.64Orange County | 2,712 | $141,250 |
| Tract 423.15Orange County | 6,525 | $137,731 |
| Tract 422.05Orange County | 5,336 | $138,824 |
| Tract 421.11Orange County | 5,749 | $162,959 |
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 San Juan Capistrano) · Census block assignment files
How does San Juan Capistrano compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, San Juan Capistrano is the 1,180th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 220th-most populous of 483 in California.
San Juan Capistrano ranks 232nd 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 | 220th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 174th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 534th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 232nd | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 241st | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 229th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 220th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 565th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 310th | 988 |
| Median age | 270th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 234th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 373rd | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 632nd | 1,069 |
San Juan Capistrano's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano?
9 of the 57 figures for San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano.