San Diego, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of San Diego, California is 1,385,061 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 8th-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in California. The median household income is $104,321, the median home value is $848,500, and the median age is 36.0.
The population has grown 7.5% since 2010 (1,305,906 → 1,404,452).
1,385,061
Population
4247
People / sq mi
$104,321
Median Income
$848,500
Median Home Value
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San Diego covers 326.1 sq mi of land at 4247 people per square mile.
About San Diego, CA
In San Diego, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $848,500. With 1,385,061 residents, San Diego is a city in California. It is the #2-largest of all cities in California nationally.
Households take in a median $104,321, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 6.9%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $848,500, with typical rent around $2,223.
About 49.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, above the 35.0% national figure. Remote work is on the higher side at 19.2%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in San Diego — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
San Diego city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of San Diego city had a population of 1,305,906 in 2010 and 1,404,452 in 2024, a 7.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 1,423,851 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.53%.
1,404,452
Population (2024)
1,305,906
Population (2010)
1,423,851
Peak (2019)
0.53%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,305,906 |
| 2011 | 1,319,592 |
| 2012 | 1,336,776 |
| 2013 | 1,355,320 |
| 2014 | 1,375,831 |
| 2015 | 1,387,323 |
| 2016 | 1,402,089 |
| 2017 | 1,412,621 |
| 2018 | 1,421,917 |
| 2019 | 1,423,851 |
| 2020 | 1,384,824 |
| 2021 | 1,374,972 |
| 2022 | 1,388,730 |
| 2023 | 1,394,555 |
| 2024 | 1,404,452 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 50.4% |
| Black or African American | 5.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$104,321
Median Household Income
$54,678
Per Capita Income
6.9%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$848,500
Median Home Value
$2,223
Median Rent
47.6%
Owner-Occupied
Education
90.2%
High School+
49.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
3.0%
Drive Alone
64.2%
Public Transit
19.2%
Work From Home
23.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
26.2%
Foreign Born
61.5%
Non-English at Home
6.7%
Veterans
10.0%
With Disability
93.7%
Health Insurance
97.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 23.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 19.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.4% |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% |
| Information | 6.4% |
| Public Administration | 4.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.5% |
| Construction | 4.4% |
| Retail Trade | 4.0% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.2% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
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Common questions about San Diego, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
San Diego, California has a population of 1,385,061 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 8th-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in California.
The median household income in San Diego, California is $104,321, with 6.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in San Diego, California is $848,500, with median monthly rent at $2,223 and a homeownership rate of 47.6%.
The median age in San Diego, California is 36.0 years. The population is 50.8% male and 49.2% female.
The population has grown 7.5% since 2010 (1,305,906 → 1,404,452).
Where to stay in San Diego
Visiting or relocating to San Diego, 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.