City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

South El Monte, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for South El Monte - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

19,413
Residents
$67,153
Median income
$578,100
Median home
$2,601
Median rent (state)

South El Monte - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, South El Monte places in the 46th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

46th
percentile, household income
88th
percentile, home value
93rd
percentile, median rent
9th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: South El Monte, CA

19,413 people live in South El Monte, California - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. South El Monte households earn a median of $67,153 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 19.2%. Home values in South El Monte run a median of $578,100, and the median resident age is 37.8 years. Educational attainment runs 10.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 36 residential building permits were authorized in South El Monte (Stable), down 5% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. South El Monte's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3700.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,601 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). Commute times here average 25.3 minutes, with 74.8% driving alone and 6.0% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 100.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

19,413 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$67,153 /yr

Poverty 19.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does South El Monte compare to other US cities?

Where South El Monte sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 88% pricier than other cities
Median rent 93% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: South El Monte ranks #400 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below South El Monte's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

46thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South El Monte's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South El Monte's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 22 Avg. percentile National median
South El Monte's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How South El Monte's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$578,100 12th percentile more affordable than 12% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. South El Monte $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - South El Monte, CA South El Monte, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South El Monte, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution South El Monte, CA median $67,153/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
South El Monte, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for South El Monte, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
19,413
Median Income
$67,153
Median Home Value
$578,100
Median Age
37.8
Poverty Rate
19.2%
Labor force participation
54.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3700.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
466.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3234.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
18,800 residents19,000 residents19,200 residents19,400 residents19,600 residents19,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 19,543 residents 18,963 residents ▼ -3.0%
South El Monte's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
36
housing units authorized
Single-Family
36
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 38
2020 46
2021 106
2022 4
2023 84
2024 36

Permit volume decreased 5% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
25.3 minutes
Drive Alone
74.8%
Carpool
12.2%
Public Transit
2.6%
Walk
2.8%
Work from Home
6.0%
Other
1.6%

Based on 8,099 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county South El Monte sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,601/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
100.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Orinda
19,472 people
Arvin
19,478 people
Rosedale
19,325 people
Santa Fe Springs
19,310 people
Prunedale
19,286 people
Valle Vista
19,263 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South El Monte's 19,413 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hermiston, OR
19,406 people
Naples, FL
19,421 people
Warrensburg, MO
19,437 people
Englewood, FL
19,385 people
Madisonville, KY
19,442 people
Lynn Haven, FL
19,451 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South El Monte's $67,153 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Brutus, MI
$67,159 median income
Henry Fork, VA
$67,147 median income
Gillett, AR
$67,143 median income
Deep River, IA
$67,143 median income
Norcatur, KS
$67,143 median income
Bellevue, KY
$67,143 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South El Monte, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition South El Monte, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 14.0% 20.1% 44.9% 18.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 74.9% White 14.0% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 20.1% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 44.9% Two or more races 18.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How South El Monte compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
South El Monte (this city) 19,413 $67,153
Orinda 19,472 $250,001
Arvin 19,478 $49,984
Rosedale 19,325 $134,697
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South El Monte, CA?

What is the population of South El Monte, CA? +

South El Monte, CA counts 19,413 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South El Monte, CA? +

In South El Monte, the typical household earns $67,153 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South El Monte? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for South El Monte; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is South El Monte, CA safe? +

South El Monte has a total crime rate of 3700.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in South El Monte, CA? +

Homes in South El Monte carry a median value of $578,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.