South El Monte, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of South El Monte, California is 19,413 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 358th-largest city in California. The median household income is $67,153, the median home value is $578,100, and the median age is 37.8.
The population has declined 4.9% since 2010 (20,100 → 19,121).
19,413
Population
6826
People / sq mi
$67,153
Median Income
$578,100
Median Home Value
South El Monte covers 2.8 sq mi of land at 6826 people per square mile.
About South El Monte, CA
South El Monte is a city in California with a population of 19,413. It ranks #358 among cities in California by population. The median age is 37.8, in line with the national median. The population is 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
The median household income in South El Monte is $67,153, below the US median of $74,580. 19.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $578,100, with monthly rent averaging $1,708. The homeownership rate of 49.5% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in South El Monte reflects 10.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 6.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 27.0 minutes each way.
South El Monte city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of South El Monte city had a population of 20,100 in 2010 and 19,121 in 2024, a -4.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 20,865 in 2017. Average annual growth rate: -0.35%.
19,121
Population (2024)
20,100
Population (2010)
20,865
Peak (2017)
-0.35%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 20,100 |
| 2011 | 20,187 |
| 2012 | 20,261 |
| 2013 | 20,341 |
| 2014 | 20,351 |
| 2015 | 20,688 |
| 2016 | 20,818 |
| 2017 | 20,865 |
| 2018 | 20,729 |
| 2019 | 20,574 |
| 2020 | 19,549 |
| 2021 | 19,419 |
| 2022 | 19,313 |
| 2023 | 19,169 |
| 2024 | 19,121 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 14.0% |
| Black or African American | 1.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$67,153
Median Household Income
$22,743
Per Capita Income
19.2%
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$578,100
Median Home Value
$1,708
Median Rent
49.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
55.7%
High School+
10.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
2.6%
Drive Alone
74.8%
Public Transit
6.0%
Work From Home
27.0 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
2.2%
Foreign Born
19.1%
Non-English at Home
2.6%
Veterans
11.6%
With Disability
87.1%
Health Insurance
92.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 16.0% |
| Manufacturing | 13.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 11.1% |
| Retail Trade | 9.0% |
| Construction | 8.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.9% |
| Information | 3.3% |
| Public Administration | 2.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.2% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
South El Monte, California has a population of 19,413 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 358th-largest city in California.
The median household income in South El Monte, California is $67,153, with 19.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in South El Monte, California is $578,100, with median monthly rent at $1,708 and a homeownership rate of 49.5%.
The median age in South El Monte, California is 37.8 years. The population is 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
The population has declined 4.9% since 2010 (20,100 → 19,121).
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.