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Population Review

El Cajon, California Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of El Cajon, California is 104,909 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 70th-largest city in California. The median household income is $66,478, the median home value is $632,800, and the median age is 35.5.

The population has grown 3.5% since 2010 (99,823 → 103,291).

104,909

Population

7230

People / sq mi

$66,478

Median Income

$632,800

Median Home Value

El Cajon covers 14.5 sq mi of land at 7230 people per square mile.

About El Cajon, CA

El Cajon is a city in California with a population of 104,909. It ranks #70 among cities in California by population. The median age is 35.5, younger than the national median. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

The median household income in El Cajon is $66,478, below the US median of $74,580. 16.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $632,800, with monthly rent averaging $1,790. The homeownership rate of 41.1% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in El Cajon reflects 22.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 24.7 minutes each way.

El Cajon city Population History (2010-2024)

The city of El Cajon city had a population of 99,823 in 2010 and 103,291 in 2024, a 3.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 106,087 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.25%.

2020 · 106K20102024

103,291

Population (2024)

99,823

Population (2010)

106,087

Peak (2020)

0.25%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201099,823
2011100,795
2012101,537
2013102,303
2014102,789
2015103,230
2016103,527
2017103,468
2018103,041
2019102,708
2020106,087
2021105,095
2022104,184
2023103,522
2024103,291

Race & Ethnicity

White60.8%
Black or African American6.5%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2.7%
Two or More Races0.1%

Economy & Income

$66,478

Median Household Income

$29,968

Per Capita Income

16.1%

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$632,800

Median Home Value

$1,790

Median Rent

41.1%

Owner-Occupied

Education

84.4%

High School+

22.2%

Bachelor's+

Commute

2.6%

Drive Alone

72.8%

Public Transit

10.2%

Work From Home

24.7 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

16.5%

Foreign Born

55.8%

Non-English at Home

6.4%

Veterans

14.9%

With Disability

93.5%

Health Insurance

96.3%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management22.0%
Education, Health Care & Social Services10.9%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate10.4%
Manufacturing8.8%
Construction8.1%
Retail Trade6.1%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services5.8%
Information5.2%
Public Administration4.4%
Transportation & Warehousing1.5%
Agriculture & Mining0.6%

Largest cities in California

Largest counties in California

Part of California

Metro areas in California

City rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

El Cajon, California has a population of 104,909 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 70th-largest city in California.

The median household income in El Cajon, California is $66,478, with 16.1% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in El Cajon, California is $632,800, with median monthly rent at $1,790 and a homeownership rate of 41.1%.

The median age in El Cajon, California is 35.5 years. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

The population has grown 3.5% since 2010 (99,823 → 103,291).

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.