Poway, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Poway, California is 48,515 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 194th-largest city in California. The median household income is $143,825, the median home value is $971,500, and the median age is 41.9.
The population has grown 3.1% since 2010 (47,951 → 49,435).
48,515
Population
1241
People / sq mi
$143,825
Median Income
$971,500
Median Home Value
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Poway covers 39.1 sq mi of land at 1241 people per square mile.
About Poway, CA
In Poway, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $971,500. With 48,515 residents, Poway is a city in California.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $143,825, above the US median of $78,538. Only 2.7% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $971,500, with typical rent around $2,261.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US cities — 53.4% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 20.2%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Poway — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Poway city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Poway city had a population of 47,951 in 2010 and 49,435 in 2024, a 3.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 49,915 in 2016. Average annual growth rate: 0.22%.
49,435
Population (2024)
47,951
Population (2010)
49,915
Peak (2016)
0.22%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 47,951 |
| 2011 | 48,622 |
| 2012 | 48,997 |
| 2013 | 49,377 |
| 2014 | 49,649 |
| 2015 | 49,877 |
| 2016 | 49,915 |
| 2017 | 49,802 |
| 2018 | 49,576 |
| 2019 | 49,323 |
| 2020 | 48,785 |
| 2021 | 48,503 |
| 2022 | 48,353 |
| 2023 | 48,613 |
| 2024 | 49,435 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 62.5% |
| Black or African American | 2.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.4% |
Economy & Income
$143,825
Median Household Income
$62,061
Per Capita Income
2.7%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$971,500
Median Home Value
$2,261
Median Rent
75.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.8%
High School+
53.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.0%
Drive Alone
66.9%
Public Transit
20.2%
Work From Home
24.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
29.5%
Foreign Born
75.6%
Non-English at Home
9.7%
Veterans
9.6%
With Disability
96.6%
Health Insurance
98.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 25.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 19.6% |
| Manufacturing | 11.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.6% |
| Information | 6.0% |
| Construction | 5.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.8% |
| Public Administration | 4.6% |
| Retail Trade | 3.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.7% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Poway, California has a population of 48,515 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 194th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Poway, California is $143,825, with 2.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Poway, California is $971,500, with median monthly rent at $2,261 and a homeownership rate of 75.7%.
The median age in Poway, California is 41.9 years. The population is 51.5% male and 48.5% female.
The population has grown 3.1% since 2010 (47,951 → 49,435).
Where to stay in Poway
Visiting or relocating to Poway, 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.