Valley Center, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Valley Center, California is 10,303 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 493rd-largest city in California. The median household income is $116,620, the median home value is $809,300, and the median age is 40.8.
10,303
Population
375
People / sq mi
$116,620
Median Income
$809,300
Median Home Value
Get Valley Center's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Valley Center covers 27.4 sq mi of land at 375 people per square mile.
About Valley Center, CA
Valley Center stands apart on settlement density — it is among the most sparsely settled of US cities, at roughly 375 people per square mile. Valley Center is a city in California with a population of 10,303.
The typical household earns $116,620 a year, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 9.1%, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $809,300, with typical rent around $1,163.
35.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, near the national average of 35.0%. Remote work is above the national 14.0% at 15.3%, and the average commute runs about 37 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 61.0% |
| Black or African American | 2.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$116,620
Median Household Income
$46,664
Per Capita Income
9.1%
Poverty Rate
2.0%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$809,300
Median Home Value
$1,163
Median Rent
88.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
86.4%
High School+
35.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
78.0%
Public Transit
15.3%
Work From Home
36.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
21.5%
Foreign Born
71.0%
Non-English at Home
7.8%
Veterans
7.5%
With Disability
90.1%
Health Insurance
99.2%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 19.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 13.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.5% |
| Construction | 13.4% |
| Manufacturing | 9.0% |
| Information | 6.6% |
| Public Administration | 5.4% |
| Retail Trade | 3.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.8% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 2.7% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.0% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Valley Center, California has a population of 10,303 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 493rd-largest city in California.
The median household income in Valley Center, California is $116,620, with 9.1% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Valley Center, California is $809,300, with median monthly rent at $1,163 and a homeownership rate of 88.3%.
The median age in Valley Center, California is 40.8 years. The population is 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
Valley Center Cdp, CA Climate
Valley Center Cdp, CA has an average annual temperature of 17°C (63°F) and receives about 393 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
17°C
Avg Temp
393
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12° / 53° | 77 mm |
| February | 12° / 54° | 71 mm |
| March | 13° / 55° | 68 mm |
| April | 15° / 59° | 32 mm |
| May | 17° / 63° | 11 mm |
| June | 20° / 68° | 2 mm |
| July | 23° / 74° | 2 mm |
| August | 24° / 76° | 5 mm |
| September | 23° / 73° | 11 mm |
| October | 19° / 67° | 11 mm |
| November | 15° / 59° | 48 mm |
| December | 12° / 53° | 55 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Valley Center Cdp, CA
The most comfortable months to visit Valley Center Cdp, CA are typically June, September and July, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 33°C high). The coldest is January (near 5°C low). January is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Valley Center
Visiting or relocating to Valley Center, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Valley Center
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a move to Valley Center?
Get relocation and cost-of-living insights for Valley Center, CA by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.