City · California
Santee, California
Santee, city, in San Diego County, California. Santee had 58,205 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 60,037 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 59,332 (±83). GEOID 0670224.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
58,205
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 60,037 · ACS 2020-2024: 59,332 ±83
Median household income
$113,394
±$5,920 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$727,200
±$20,435 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,250
±$84 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Santee and what county is it in?
Santee is a city in San Diego County, California. It covers 16.5 square miles of land, 3,630 residents per square mile in 2020.
Santee 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 Santee, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 58,205 people lived in Santee on July 1, 2025, down 3.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 60,037 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 59,332 (±83).
| Measure | Santee | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 59,332 ±83 | 3,288,774 | +1,535 |
| Households | 21,196 ±443 | 1,171,278 | +1,996 |
| Average household size | 2.73 ±0.06 | 2.72 | −0.18 |
| Housing units | 21,851 ±450 | 1,250,641 | +1,811 |
Santee's population since 2000
From 52,975 in 2000 to 58,205 in 2025: up 9.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Santee 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 Santee?
The median resident of Santee is 40.3 years old; 23.1% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 20.9%. 13.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Santee | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3 ±1.0 | 37.3 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 23.1% ±1.2 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5% ±1.0 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Male | 50.4% ±1.1 pts | 50.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20.9% ±1.7 pts | 34.6% | +3.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.9% ±2.2 pts | 42.4% | −5.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±0.7 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.5% ±1.3 pts | 12.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.1% ±1.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.7% ±1.6 pts | 22.8% | +3.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.9% ±1.8 pts | 37.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.0% ±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.7% ±1.3 pts | 11.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.1% ±0.7 pts | 6.4% | −1.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.6% ±1.0 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 35.0% ±1.9 pts | 43.2% | +5.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.3% ±1.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.7% ±1.7 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.3 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 Santee earn?
Half of Santee's 21,196 households earn less than $113,394 a year (±$5,920), against $106,268 in San Diego County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $107,191 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Santee | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $113,394 ±$5,920 | $106,268 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $133,637 ±$6,332 | $141,250 | – |
| Per capita income | $49,612 ±$2,632 | $51,976 | +$6,624 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.9% ±1.9 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.1% ±4.1 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.3% ±1.7 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.7% ±0.9 pts | 97.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.3% ±1.2 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 Santee?
Owners occupy 72.4% of Santee's occupied homes and renters 27.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $727,200 by its owner (±$20,435). The median renter pays $2,250 a month including utilities, and 56.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Santee | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $727,200 ±$20,435 | $854,700 | +$178,926 |
| Median gross rent | $2,250 ±$84 | $2,246 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 56.7% ±4.7 pts | 47.7% | +15.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,901 ±$77 | $3,184 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.4% ±2.2 pts | 54.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 27.6% ±2.2 pts | 45.4% | – |
| Housing units | 21,851 ±450 | 1,250,641 | +1,811 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9% ±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.4% ±2.2 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.2% ±1.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.8% ±1.4 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.3% ±1.1 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 Santee building?
Builders took permits for 39 new housing units in Santee in 2025 (39 in single-family houses), 0.7 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 Santee work and get to work?
71.6% of Santee's workers drive alone and 17.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Santee | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.5% ±1.6 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% ±0.9 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.6% ±2.0 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.9% ±1.2 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5% ±0.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.4% ±0.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.3% ±1.6 pts | 18.7% | +12.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.7 min ±1.3 | 25.5 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 Santee?
16 census tracts lie mostly in Santee, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $46,146 (Tract 166.17) to $154,577 (Tract 166.21).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 166.09San Diego County | 5,673 | $127,559 |
| Tract 166.07San Diego County | 7,167 | $143,331 |
| Tract 166.10San Diego County | 4,853 | $97,700 |
| Tract 166.21San Diego County | 4,265 | $154,577 |
| Tract 166.15San Diego County | 4,230 | $141,150 |
| Tract 166.14San Diego County | 4,075 | $124,071 |
| Tract 167.04San Diego County | 7,583 | $112,045 |
| Tract 166.18San Diego County | 3,649 | $104,833 |
| Tract 166.17San Diego County | 3,607 | $46,146 |
| Tract 166.19San Diego County | 4,319 | $96,630 |
| Tract 166.06San Diego County | 3,704 | $128,750 |
| Tract 167.03San Diego County | 3,003 | $120,258 |
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 Santee) · Census block assignment files
How does Santee compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Santee is the 706th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 157th-most populous of 483 in California.
Santee ranks 330th 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 | 157th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 314th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 362nd | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 330th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 412th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 407th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 298th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 595th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 432nd | 988 |
| Median age | 505th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 392nd | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 373rd | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 615th | 1,069 |
Santee's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Santee 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 Santee?
4 of the 57 figures for Santee 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 Santee 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 Santee.