County · California
San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California. San Diego County had 3,282,248 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.5% since 2020, in line with California (−0.5%). It holds 57 places (18 cities, villages and boroughs and 39 census-designated) and 737 census tracts. GEOID 06073.
San Diego County is the county of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,282,248
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,298,634 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,288,774
Median household income
$106,268
±$949 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$854,700
±$3,996 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,246
±$11 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
How many people live in San Diego County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,298,634 residents in San Diego County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,282,248 for July 1, 2025, down 0.5% since 2020, in line with California (−0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,288,774 over 4,210 square miles of land.
| Measure | San Diego County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,288,774 | 39,287,377 | −27,299 |
| Households | 1,171,278±2,902 | 13,548,091 | +45,992 |
| Average household size | 2.72±0.01 | 2.84 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 1,250,641±516 | 14,644,735 | +36,750 |
San Diego County's population since 2000
From 2,813,833 in 2000 to 3,282,248 in 2025: up 16.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in San Diego County?
San Diego County holds 57 places: 18 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 39 census-designated places. The largest is San Diego with 1,406,106 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| San Diego | 1,386,932 | $108,077 |
|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | 275,487 | $108,032 |
| Oceanside | 174,068 | $97,737 |
| Escondido | 151,038 | $91,967 |
| Carlsbad | 114,746 | $142,748 |
| El Cajon | 106,215 | $67,511 |
| Vista | 98,381 | $94,975 |
| San Marcos | 94,833 | $109,377 |
| Encinitas | 62,007 | $162,229 |
| La Mesa | 61,121 | $95,028 |
| Santee | 60,037 | $113,394 |
| National City | 56,173 | $66,841 |
| Poway | 48,841 | $148,359 |
| La Presa | 35,033 | $93,479 |
| Fallbrook | 32,267 | $96,394 |
| Spring Valley (San Diego County) | 30,998 | $109,110 |
| Lemon Grove | 27,627 | $88,009 |
| Imperial Beach | 26,137 | $86,111 |
| Winter Gardens | 22,380 | $97,973 |
| Rancho San Diego | 21,858 | $118,682 |
| Ramona | 21,468 | $107,427 |
| Lakeside (San Diego County) | 21,152 | $96,447 |
| Coronado | 20,192 | $134,534 |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix | 19,576 | $125,107 |
| Bostonia | 16,882 | $78,878 |
| Alpine | 14,696 | $108,660 |
| Solana Beach | 12,941 | $152,167 |
| Bonita | 12,917 | $118,674 |
| Camp Pendleton SouthGEOID 0610561 | 12,468 | $69,853 |
| San Diego Country Estates | 10,395 | $145,479 |
| Valley Center | 10,087 | $132,361 |
| Camp Pendleton MainsideGEOID 0610554 | 9,683 | $61,575 |
| Jamul | 6,179 | $152,748 |
| Eucalyptus Hills | 5,517 | $144,140 |
| Lake San Marcos | 5,328 | $89,851 |
| Bonsall | 4,546 | $113,537 |
| Hidden Meadows | 4,484 | $123,125 |
| Harbison Canyon | 4,048 | $130,302 |
| Del Mar | 3,954 | $199,152 |
| Granite Hills | 3,267 | $155,820 |
| Rancho Santa Fe | 3,156 | $175,792 |
| Borrego Springs | 3,073 | $86,078 |
| Fairbanks RanchGEOID 0623150 | 3,002 | $250,000 or more |
| Campo | 2,955 | $79,327 |
| Crest | 2,828 | $110,000 |
| Harmony Grove | 2,079 | $227,140 |
| Rainbow | 1,884 | $104,338 |
| JulianGEOID 0637582 | 1,768 | $77,803 |
| Pine ValleyGEOID 0657260 | 1,645 | $132,772 |
| Descanso | 1,499 | $110,132 |
| Pala | 1,490 | $106,250 |
| PotreroGEOID 0658478 | 648 | $10,354 |
| Elfin ForestGEOID 0621916 | 600 | $170,938 |
| JacumbaGEOID 0637022 | 540 | not published |
| Del DiosGEOID 0618422 | 396 | not published |
| BoulevardGEOID 0607694 | 359 | $78,217 |
| Mount LagunaGEOID 0649810 | 74 | $55,066 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in San Diego County?
The median resident of San Diego County is 37.3 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 42.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 34.6%. 22.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | San Diego County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.3±0.1 | 37.9 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 20.9% | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4% | 15.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 34.6% | 40.2% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.4%±0.1 pts | 33.8% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.1 pts | 5.2% | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 12.1%±0.1 pts | 15.3% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.3%±0.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 22.8%±0.2 pts | 27.0% | −0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 37.3%±0.3 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±0.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 11.1%±0.2 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4%±0.2 pts | 6.6% | −1.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.1%±0.2 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 43.2%±0.3 pts | 37.1% | +4.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.2%±0.2 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 Diego County earn?
Half of San Diego County's 1,171,278 households earn less than $106,268 a year (±$949), against $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $97,200 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,068 after inflation. 10.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | San Diego County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $106,268±$949 | $99,122 | +$9,068 |
| Mean household income | $141,250±$1,071 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $51,976±$362 | $49,513 | +$5,120 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.3%±0.2 pts | 12.0% | −1.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.8%±0.6 pts | 15.0% | −2.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9%±0.2 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.9%±0.2 pts | 93.5% | – |
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 Diego County?
Owners occupy 54.6% of San Diego County's occupied homes and renters 45.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $854,700 by its owner (±$3,996). The median renter pays $2,246 a month including utilities, and 47.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | San Diego County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $854,700±$3,996 | $734,700 | +$160,958 |
| Median gross rent | $2,246±$11 | $2,036 | +$206 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.7%±0.6 pts | 46.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,184±$17 | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.6%±0.3 pts | 55.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Housing units | 1,250,641±516 | 14,644,735 | +36,750 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9%±0.3 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 50.0%±0.3 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.3%±0.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.0%±0.2 pts | 8.9% | – |
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 Diego County building?
Builders took permits for 11,707 new housing units across San Diego County in 2025 (3,506 single-family), 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in San Diego County get to work?
65.9% of San Diego County's workers drive alone and 18.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.1%.
| Measure | San Diego County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2%±0.2 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1%±0.2 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 65.9%±0.3 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±0.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±0.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.7%±0.3 pts | 17.2% | +11.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.5 min±0.2 | 28.7 min | −1.0 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 are San Diego County's census tracts?
San Diego County is divided into 737 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,148 (Tract 100.05) to $250,000 or more (Tract 215.01).
All 737 census tracts of San Diego County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does San Diego County compare with California's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 2nd of 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 27th of 58 |
| Residents per square mile | 9th of 58 |
| Median household income | 14th of 58 |
| Median home value | 10th of 58 |
| Median gross rent | 10th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 58 |
| Median age | 38th of 58 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Diego County 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' school search.