Costa Mesa, CA

Census Place

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    2024 Population
    110,330
    US Senator
    Alex Padilla
    Democratic Party
    US Senator
    Adam Schiff
    Democratic Party
    2024 Median Age
    36.7
    0.548% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    9.14%
    2.17% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $111,505
    1.3% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $1.12M
    5.73% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    64,932
    0.573% 1-year growth

    About

    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 (5,084 degrees awarded in 2024), Vanguard University of Southern California (633 degrees), and Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa (333 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Costa Mesa, CA was $1.12M, and the homeownership rate was 39.6%.

    Most people in Costa Mesa, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Costa Mesa, CA was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesCaliforniaOrange County, CALos Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CAOrange County (Northwest)--Huntington Beach City PUMA, CAOrange County (Central)--Santa Ana City (West) PUMA, CAOrange County (Central)--Santa Ana City (East) PUMA, CAOrange County (Central)--Costa Mesa & Fountain Valley Cities PUMA, CAOrange County (Central)--Irvine (Northwest) & Tustin Cities PUMA, CAOrange County (West Central)--Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo & Laguna Woods Cities PUMA, CA

    Population & Diversity

    Costa Mesa, CA is home to a population of 110k people, from which 87.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 22.3% of Costa Mesa, CA residents were born outside of the country (24.6k people).

    In 2024, there were 3.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (52.4k people) in Costa Mesa, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 16.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 16k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    87.7%
    2024 Citizenship
    87.5%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 87.7% of Costa Mesa, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, 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.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Costa Mesa, CA
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      52.4k ± 2.05k
    2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      16.6k ± 2.18k
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      16k ± 2.03k
    36.6%
    Hispanic Population
    40.4k people

    In 2024, there were 3.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (52.4k people) in Costa Mesa, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 16.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 16k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    36.6% of the people in Costa Mesa, CA are hispanic (40.4k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Costa Mesa, CA as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for California.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      3,877,888 ± 45,899 people
    2. Philippines
      827,719 ± 22,100 people
    3. China
      695,724 ± 20,296 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,877,888 California residents, followed by Philippines with 827,719 and China with 695,724.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    22.3%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    24.6k people
    22.7%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    25.1k people

    As of 2024, 22.3% of Costa Mesa, CA residents (24.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Costa Mesa, CA was 22.7%, 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.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Gulf War (2001-)
      963 ± 252
    2. Vietnam
      744 ± 177
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      508 ± 183

    Costa Mesa, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.29 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Costa Mesa, CA.

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    Health

    90.5% of the population of Costa Mesa, CA has health coverage, with 49.5% on employee plans, 18.2% on Medicaid, 9.77% on Medicare, 12.4% on non-group plans, and 0.62% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in California see 1,233 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1076 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 213 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.3% were men and 48.7% were women.

    Coverage

    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19.8% under 18 years, 27% between 18 and 34 years, 40% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.2% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.3% were men and 48.7% were women.

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

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    Uninsured People

    9.54%
    Uninsured
    49.5%
    Employer Coverage
    18.2%
    Medicaid
    9.77%
    Medicare
    12.4%
    Non-Group
    0.62%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Costa Mesa, CA declined by 10.1% from 10.6% to 9.54%.

    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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    Economy

    The economy of Costa Mesa, CA employs 64.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Costa Mesa, CA were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (7,258 people), Retail Trade (6,922 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (6,190 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($166,917), Public Administration ($97,639), and Finance & Insurance ($95,991).

    Employment

    Occupations

    64.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 2,230
    0.573%
    1 Year growth
    ± 4.68%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Costa Mesa, CA grew at a rate of 0.573%, from 64.6k employees to 64.9k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Costa Mesa, CA, are Management Occupations (9,206 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,031 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,159 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Costa Mesa, CA.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (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

    64.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 2,230
    0.573%
    1 Year growth
    ± 4.68%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Costa Mesa, CA grew at a rate of 0.573%, from 64.6k employees to 64.9k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Costa Mesa, CA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (7,258 people), Retail Trade (6,922 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (6,190 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.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $62,295
    Median earning men ± $3,881
    $51,891
    Median earning women ± $3,706

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($120,690), Wholesale Trade ($116,250), and Public Administration ($108,839).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($107,321), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($77,920), and Manufacturing ($75,865).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Y-Axis
    2.57%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    California is currently represented by 51 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Costa Mesa, CA. Showing the available data for California.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Kamala Harris (58.5%)
      Democratic Party
    2. Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
      Republican Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from California

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Alex Padilla
    Senator from California3
    Assumed office on January 20, 2021
    Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.
    Adam Schiff
    Senator from California1
    Assumed office on December 8, 2024
    Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

    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 California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Costa Mesa, CA awarded 6,234 degrees. The student population of Costa Mesa, CA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 9,299 male students and 10,713 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Costa Mesa, CA are Hispanic or Latino (1,934 and 33.1%), White (1,912 and 32.7%), Asian (1,424 and 24.4%), and Two or More Races (306 and 5.23%).

    The largest universities in Costa Mesa, CA by number of degrees awarded are Orange Coast College (5,084 and 81.6%), Vanguard University of Southern California (633 and 10.2%), and Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa (333 and 5.34%).

    The most popular majors in Costa Mesa, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (2,059 and 33%), General Business Administration & Management (461 and 7.39%), and General Psychology (253 and 4.06%).

    The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $40,800.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2024 in Costa Mesa, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 62.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 20,012 (46.5% men and 53.5% 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.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 20,012 students enrolled in Costa Mesa, CA, 46.5% men and 53.5% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 7,701 records, of which 57.9% were women and 42.1% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Liberal Arts & Sciences
      380 degrees awarded
    2. General Business Administration & Management
      357 degrees awarded
    3. General Psychology
      178 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Costa Mesa, CA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 380 degrees awarded.

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

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Orange Coast College
      5,084 degrees awarded
    2. Vanguard University of Southern California
      633 degrees awarded
    3. Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa
      333 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Orange Coast College with 5,084 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 2,601 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Costa Mesa, CA, which is 0.716 times less than the 3,633 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 1,934 degrees mean that there were 1.01 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 1,912 degrees awarded.

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    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.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($40,800) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($900) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,465) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Costa Mesa, CA was $1.12M in 2024, which is 3.35 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $1.05M to $1.12M, a 5.73% increase. The homeownership rate in Costa Mesa, CA is 39.6%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Costa Mesa, CA have an average commute time of 22.4 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.

    Housing

    Property

    $1.12M
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$20,646
    $16,728
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$962

    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.

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    Rent vs Own

    39.6%
    Homeownership
    2024
    71.9%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 39.6% of the housing units in Costa Mesa, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 39.4%.

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

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $111,505
    Median Household Income
    ± $4,151
    42.3k
    Number of Households
    ± 1,628

    In 2024, the median household income of the 42.3k households in Costa Mesa, CA grew to $111,505 from the previous year's value of $110,073.

    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.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Costa Mesa, CA is from California.
    0.493
    2024 Wage GINI in California
    0.495
    2023 Wage GINI in California

    In 2024, the income inequality in California was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.424% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (62.4%)
    2. Worked At Home (22.2%)
    3. Carpooled (8.23%)

    In 2024, 62.4% of workers in Costa Mesa, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (22.2%) and those who carpooled to work (8.23%).

    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.

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    Commute Time

    22.4 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Costa Mesa, CA have a shorter commute time (22.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.84% 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.

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    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.

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    Poverty

    Poverty & Diversity

    9.14% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Costa Mesa, CA (10k 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 Females 18 - 24 and then Males 35 - 44.

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

    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.

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