La Mesa, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of La Mesa, California is 60,835 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 153rd-largest city in California. The median household income is $84,337, the median home value is $738,800, and the median age is 37.1.
The population has grown 6.3% since 2010 (57,149 → 60,767).
60,835
Population
6691
People / sq mi
$84,337
Median Income
$738,800
Median Home Value
La Mesa covers 9.1 sq mi of land at 6691 people per square mile.
About La Mesa, CA
La Mesa is a city in California with a population of 60,835. It ranks #153 among cities in California by population. The median age is 37.1, younger than the national median. The population is 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
The median household income in La Mesa is $84,337, above the US median of $74,580. 7.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $738,800, with monthly rent averaging $1,958. The homeownership rate of 46.0% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in La Mesa reflects 38.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 14.9% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 24.9 minutes each way.
La Mesa city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of La Mesa city had a population of 57,149 in 2010 and 60,767 in 2024, a 6.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 61,094 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.44%.
60,767
Population (2024)
57,149
Population (2010)
61,094
Peak (2020)
0.44%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 57,149 |
| 2011 | 57,644 |
| 2012 | 58,099 |
| 2013 | 58,556 |
| 2014 | 58,855 |
| 2015 | 59,697 |
| 2016 | 59,751 |
| 2017 | 59,722 |
| 2018 | 59,389 |
| 2019 | 59,249 |
| 2020 | 61,094 |
| 2021 | 60,758 |
| 2022 | 60,727 |
| 2023 | 60,670 |
| 2024 | 60,767 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 59.4% |
| Black or African American | 8.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$84,337
Median Household Income
$46,783
Per Capita Income
7.2%
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$738,800
Median Home Value
$1,958
Median Rent
46.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
94.2%
High School+
38.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
2.4%
Drive Alone
71.4%
Public Transit
14.9%
Work From Home
24.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
26.0%
Foreign Born
74.9%
Non-English at Home
8.4%
Veterans
12.4%
With Disability
94.7%
Health Insurance
96.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 25.9% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 15.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 7.3% |
| Retail Trade | 6.8% |
| Public Administration | 6.6% |
| Manufacturing | 5.8% |
| Construction | 5.5% |
| Information | 5.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.5% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
La Mesa, California has a population of 60,835 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 153rd-largest city in California.
The median household income in La Mesa, California is $84,337, with 7.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in La Mesa, California is $738,800, with median monthly rent at $1,958 and a homeownership rate of 46.0%.
The median age in La Mesa, California is 37.1 years. The population is 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
The population has grown 6.3% since 2010 (57,149 → 60,767).
More from California
Population 3,857,897
Population 1,385,061
Population 990,054
Population 836,321
Population 543,615
Full rankings of California cities by population
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.