Costa Mesa, CA

Census Place

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2022 Population

111,490

0.587% 1-year decline

2022 Median Age

36.4

1.11% 1-year increase

2022 Poverty Rate

9.47%

1.82% 1-year decrease

2022 Median Household Income

$104,981

8.91% 1-year growth

2022 Median Property Value

$959,800

14% 1-year growth

2022 Employed Population

64,362

0.298% 1-year growth

About

In 2022, Costa Mesa, CA had a population of 111k people with a median age of 36.4 and a median household income of $104,981. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Costa Mesa, CA declined from 112,148 to 111,490, a −0.587% decrease and its median household income grew from $96,391 to $104,981, a 8.91% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Costa Mesa, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (48.8%), Other (Hispanic) (18.4%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (8.74%), Two+ (Hispanic) (8.25%), and White (Hispanic) (8.16%).

None of the households in Costa Mesa, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

87.7% of the residents in Costa Mesa, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Costa Mesa, CA are Orange Coast College (120342) (4,995 degrees awarded in 2022), University of Phoenix-California (484631) (831 degrees), and Vanguard University of Southern California (603 degrees).

In 2022, the median property value in Costa Mesa, CA was $959,800, and the homeownership rate was 39.7%.

Most people in Costa Mesa, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Costa Mesa, CA was 2 cars per household.

United States

Population & Diversity

Costa Mesa, CA is home to a population of 111k people, from which 87.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 23.1% of Costa Mesa, CA residents were born outside of the country (25.8k people).

In 2022, there were 2.65 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.4k people) in Costa Mesa, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 20.5k Other (Hispanic) and 9.75k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

87.7%

2022 Citizenship

87.5%

2021 Citizenship

As of 2022, 87.7% of Costa Mesa, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.5%. In 2021, the percentage of US citizens in Costa Mesa, CA was 87.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Costa Mesa, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Costa Mesa, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
54.4k ± 1.88k
Other (Hispanic)
20.5k ± 1.95k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.75k ± 1.06k

36.2%

Hispanic Population

40.4k people

36.2% of the people in Costa Mesa, CA are hispanic (40.4k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Costa Mesa, CA as a share of the total population.

Foreign-Born Population

23.1%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

25.8k people

23.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

26.6k people

As of 2022, 23.1% of Costa Mesa, CA residents (25.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2021, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Costa Mesa, CA was 23.8%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Costa Mesa, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,044 ± 228
Gulf War (2001-)
918 ± 227
Gulf War (1990s)
315 ± 140

Costa Mesa, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.14 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Costa Mesa, CA employs 64.4k people. The largest industries in Costa Mesa, CA are Retail Trade (7,094 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (6,692 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (6,436 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($119,694), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($100,203), and Finance & Insurance ($89,724).

Employment

Occupations

64.4k

2022 Value

± 2,120

0.298%

1 Year growth

± 4.62%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Costa Mesa, CA grew at a rate of 0.298%, from 64.2k employees to 64.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Costa Mesa, CA, are Management Occupations (9,460 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,466 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,217 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Costa Mesa, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in the United States (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

64.4k

2022 Value

± 2,120

0.298%

1 Year growth

± 4.62%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Costa Mesa, CA grew at a rate of 0.298%, from 64.2k employees to 64.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Costa Mesa, CA, are Retail Trade (7,094 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (6,692 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (6,436 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Costa Mesa, CA, though some of these residents may live in Costa Mesa, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$58,026

Median earning men ± $3,799

$46,881

Median earning women ± $1,924

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2022 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($102,393), Wholesale Trade ($98,494), and Public Administration ($90,491).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2022 are Information ($89,135), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($71,813), and Wholesale Trade ($69,542).

Civics

are the senators currently representing the state of the United States. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming is currently represented by 435 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Senator Elections

US Senators from the United States

Senator from N/AN/A

N/AN/A
N/A
N/AN/A
N/A

are the senators currently representing the United States.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in the United States over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have changed over time starting in 2008.

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Education

In 2022, universities in Costa Mesa, CA awarded 6,899 degrees. The student population of Costa Mesa, CA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 9,523 male students and 10,659 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Costa Mesa, CA are Hispanic or Latino (2,083 and 32.3%), followed by White (1,931 and 29.9%), Asian (1,483 and 23%), and Unknown (421 and 6.53%).

The largest universities in Costa Mesa, CA by number of degrees awarded are Orange Coast College (120342) (4,995 and 72.4%), University of Phoenix-California (484631) (831 and 12%), and Vanguard University of Southern California (603 and 8.74%).

The most popular majors in Costa Mesa, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (2,199 and 31.9%), General Business Administration & Management (969 and 14%), and General Psychology (220 and 3.19%).

The median tuition cost in Costa Mesa, CA for private four year colleges is $38,000.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Costa Mesa, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 74.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 26.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 20,182 (47.2% men and 52.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 20,182 students enrolled in Costa Mesa, CA, 47.2% men and 52.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 7,454 records, of which 57.3% were women and 42.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
151 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
469 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
384 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Costa Mesa, CA was General Psychology with 151 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Costa Mesa, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Orange Coast College (120342)
4,995 degrees awarded
University of Phoenix-California (484631)
831 degrees awarded
Vanguard University of Southern California
603 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Orange Coast College (120342) with 4,995 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 3,048 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Costa Mesa, CA, which is 0.791 times less than the 3,851 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 2,083 degrees mean that there were 1.08 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 1,931 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($38,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($700) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,120) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Measure

In 2022, 2.08% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 2.26% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were Some college (6.9M), High School or Equivalent (6.8M), and Bachelors Degree (6.36M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Costa Mesa, CA was $959,800 in 2022, which is 3.4 times larger than the national average of $281,900. Between 2021 and 2022 the median property value increased from $841,700 to $959,800, a 14% increase. The homeownership rate in Costa Mesa, CA is 39.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.8%.

People in Costa Mesa, CA have an average commute time of 21.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Costa Mesa, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Costa Mesa, CA is $104,981. In 2022, the place with the highest median household income in Costa Mesa, CA was Census Tract 631.03 with a value of $202,500, followed by Census Tract 638.02 and Census Tract 633.01, with respective values of $183,077 and $148,103.

Housing

Property

$959,800

Median Property Value 2022

±$19,859

$16,427

Median Property Taxes

±$806

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Costa Mesa, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Costa Mesa, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

39.7%

Homeownership

2022

69.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2022

In 2022, 39.7% of the housing units in Costa Mesa, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 40.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Costa Mesa, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 631.03
Census Tract 638.02
Census Tract 633.01

In 2022, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Costa Mesa, CA was Census Tract 631.03 with a value of $202,500, followed by Census Tract 638.02 and Census Tract 633.01, with respective values of $183,077 and $148,103.

The following map shows all of the places in Costa Mesa, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$104,981

Median Household Income

± $2,766

41.4k

Number of Households

± 1,511

In 2022, the median household income of the 41.4k households in Costa Mesa, CA grew to $104,981 from the previous year's value of $96,391.

The following chart displays the households in Costa Mesa, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Costa Mesa, CA is from Costa Mesa, CA.

N/A Wage GINI in N/A

In N/A, the income inequality in N/A was N/A according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a N/A N/A from N/A to N/A, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat N/A even. The GINI for N/A was N/A than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed N/A evenly in N/A in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Costa Mesa, CA across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2022

Drove Alone (67.4%)
Worked At Home (16.9%)
Carpooled (8.34%)

In 2022, 67.4% of workers in Costa Mesa, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (16.9%) and those who carpooled to work (8.34%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Costa Mesa, CA have a shorter commute time (21.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.36% of the workforce in Costa Mesa, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Costa Mesa, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Costa Mesa, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Costa Mesa, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

9.47% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Costa Mesa, CA (10.5k out of 110k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Costa Mesa, CA is Hispanic, followed by White and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

89.2% of the population of Costa Mesa, CA has health coverage, with 49.1% on employee plans, 15.7% on Medicaid, 9.7% on Medicare, 13.9% on non-group plans, and 0.747% on military or VA plans.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2022, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.3% under 18 years, 27.1% between 18 and 34 years, 39.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51% were men and 49% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.8%

Uninsured

49.1%

Employer Coverage

15.7%

Medicaid

9.7%

Medicare

13.9%

Non-Group

0.747%

Military or VA

Between 2021 and 2022, the percent of uninsured citizens in Costa Mesa, CA declined by 6.34% from 11.5% to 10.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Costa Mesa, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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