Carlsbad, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Carlsbad, California is 114,500 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 57th-largest city in California. The median household income is $139,326, the median home value is $1,156,900, and the median age is 42.8.
The population has grown 7.5% since 2010 (105,674 → 113,575).
114,500
Population
3028
People / sq mi
$139,326
Median Income
$1,156,900
Median Home Value
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Carlsbad covers 37.8 sq mi of land at 3028 people per square mile.
About Carlsbad, CA
In Carlsbad, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $1,156,900. With 114,500 residents, Carlsbad is a city in California.
Income is a real outlier — the median household pulls in $139,326, putting Carlsbad near the top of US cities. About 4.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $1,156,900, with typical rent around $2,678.
About 61.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, above the 35.0% national figure. An unusually large 29.0% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Carlsbad — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Carlsbad city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Carlsbad city had a population of 105,674 in 2010 and 113,575 in 2024, a 7.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 115,518 in 2018. Average annual growth rate: 0.52%.
113,575
Population (2024)
105,674
Population (2010)
115,518
Peak (2018)
0.52%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 105,674 |
| 2011 | 107,460 |
| 2012 | 108,948 |
| 2013 | 110,665 |
| 2014 | 111,609 |
| 2015 | 112,662 |
| 2016 | 113,265 |
| 2017 | 114,477 |
| 2018 | 115,518 |
| 2019 | 115,382 |
| 2020 | 114,930 |
| 2021 | 114,968 |
| 2022 | 114,586 |
| 2023 | 113,920 |
| 2024 | 113,575 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 71.0% |
| Black or African American | 1.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$139,326
Median Household Income
$70,896
Per Capita Income
4.8%
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$1,156,900
Median Home Value
$2,678
Median Rent
63.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.1%
High School+
61.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.8%
Drive Alone
62.3%
Public Transit
29.0%
Work From Home
28.0 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
31.9%
Foreign Born
82.7%
Non-English at Home
6.6%
Veterans
8.7%
With Disability
95.9%
Health Insurance
98.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 21.4% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 17.7% |
| Manufacturing | 13.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.0% |
| Information | 9.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.2% |
| Construction | 3.8% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3.0% |
| Public Administration | 3.0% |
| Retail Trade | 2.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Carlsbad, California has a population of 114,500 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 57th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Carlsbad, California is $139,326, with 4.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Carlsbad, California is $1,156,900, with median monthly rent at $2,678 and a homeownership rate of 63.3%.
The median age in Carlsbad, California is 42.8 years. The population is 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
The population has grown 7.5% since 2010 (105,674 → 113,575).
Where to stay in Carlsbad
Visiting or relocating to Carlsbad, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.