San Diego County, CA

County

Add Comparison

Population

3.34M

0.17% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Kamala Harris

Democratic Party

Median Age

36.1

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Household Income

$79,079

3.77% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$606,200

7.52% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

1.61M

0.295% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, San Diego County, CA had a population of 3.34M people with a median age of 36.1 and a median household income of $79,079. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of San Diego County, CA grew from 3.34M to 3.34M, a 0.17% increase and its median household income grew from $76,207 to $79,079, a 3.77% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in San Diego County, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (45.1%), White (Hispanic) (25.9%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (11.8%), Other (Hispanic) (5.46%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.78%). 38.1% of the people in San Diego County, CA speak a non-English language, and 89.5% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in San Diego County, CA are Ashford University (11,493 degrees awarded in 2017), University of California-San Diego (9,868 degrees), and San Diego State University (9,319 degrees).

The median property value in San Diego County, CA is $606,200, and the homeownership rate is 53.1%. Most people in San Diego County, CA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 24.9 minutes. The average car ownership in San Diego County, CA is 2 cars per household.

San Diego County, CA borders Imperial County, CA, Orange County, CA, and Riverside County, CA.

About the photo: Top view of the Torrey Pines Beach

Photo by DARSHAN SIMHA

United States California San Diego-Carlsbad, CA

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for California. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in California, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

Impact on Employment

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.

View Full Dashboard

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of California across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in San Diego County, CA went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 56.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36.6%), followed by Other (7.13%). The most partisan county was San Francisco County, CA with 85% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris 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 53 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (56.3%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (36.6%)
Republican Party
Other (7.13%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 56.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36.6%), followed by Other (7.13%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of California.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for San Diego County, CA

56.3% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in California

San Francisco County, CA
85% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Alameda County, CA
78.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Marin County, CA
78.1% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in California was San Francisco County, CA with 85% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in California colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 4, 1992

Kamala Harris

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris 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, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

San Diego County, CA is home to a population of 3.34M people, from which 89.5% are citizens. As of 2018, 23.2% of San Diego County, CA residents were born outside of the country (774k people).

In 2018, there were 1.74 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.51M people) in San Diego County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 867k White (Hispanic) and 393k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common foreign languages spoken in San Diego County, CA are Spanish (780,152 speakers), Tagalog (Incl. Filipino) (95,359 speakers), and Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (52,305 speakers).

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in San Diego County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.51M ± 1.8k
White (Hispanic)
867k ± 13.9k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
393k ± 6.92k

34%

Hispanic Population

1.14M people

34% of the people in San Diego County, CA are hispanic (1.14M people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in San Diego County, CA as a share of the total population.

Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

Spanish
780,152 speakers (24.9%)
Tagalog (Incl. Filipino)
95,359 speakers (3.04%)
Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
52,305 speakers (1.67%)

38.1% of San Diego County, CA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.9%. In 2018, the most common non-English language spoken in San Diego County, CA was Spanish. 24.9% of the overall population of San Diego County, CA are native Spanish speakers. 3.04% speak Tagalog (Incl. Filipino) and 1.67% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

23.2%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

774k people

23.2%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

774k people

As of 2018, 23.2% of San Diego County, CA residents (774k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in San Diego County, CA was 23.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.4

In 2018, the median age of all people in San Diego County, CA was 36.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 31, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 48. But people in San Diego County, CA are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all San Diego County, CA residents was 36.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
4,032,642 ± 46,722 people
Philippines
840,765 ± 22,271 people
China
696,409 ± 20,307 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,032,642 California residents, followed by Philippines with 840,765 and China with 696,409.

Citizenship

89.5%

2018 Citizenship

89.5%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 89.5% of San Diego County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in San Diego County, CA was 89.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
69,700 ± 4,895
Vietnam
55,628 ± 2,738
Gulf War (1990s)
34,236 ± 3,659

San Diego County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.25 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in San Diego County, CA is $79,079. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in San Diego County, CA was Census Tract 215 with a value of $196,299, followed by Census Tract 83.13 and Census Tract 83.28, with respective values of $192,083 and $187,989.

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,298. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.499, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of San Diego County, CA employs 1.61M people. The largest industries in San Diego County, CA are Health Care & Social Assistance (207,362 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (170,038 people), and Retail Trade (164,758 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($130,236), Utilities ($81,343), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($80,664).

Wages

Median Household Income

$79,079

2018 value

± $1,474

3.77%

1 Year Growth

± 2.23%

Households in San Diego County, CA have a median annual income of $79,079, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $76,207 in 2017, which represents a 3.77% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in San Diego County, CA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

$78,575

Average Male Salary in California

± $755

$62,298

Average Female Salary in California

± $633

In 2018, full-time male employees in California made 1.26 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in California

Asian
$73,860 ± $1,174
White
$65,115 ± $611
Two or More Races
$54,912 ± $1,843

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in California.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for San Diego County, CA is from California.

0.499

2018 Wage GINI in California

0.497

2017 Wage GINI in California

In 2018, the income inequality in California was 0.499 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.324% growth from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 215
Census Tract 83.13
Census Tract 83.28

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in San Diego County, CA was Census Tract 215 with a value of $196,299, followed by Census Tract 83.13 and Census Tract 83.28, with respective values of $192,083 and $187,989.

The following map shows all of the tracts in San Diego County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in San Diego County, CA (403k out of 3.22M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
267,963 ± 4,206
Hispanic
188,733 ± 3,384
Asian
39,519 ± 1,550

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in San Diego County, CA is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

1.61M

2018 Value

± 23,050

-0.295%

1 Year decline

± 2.01%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in San Diego County, CA declined at a rate of -0.295%, from 1.61M employees to 1.61M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in San Diego County, CA, are Sales & Related Occupations (172,656 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (168,125 people), and Management Occupations (167,980 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of San Diego County, CA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of San Diego County, CA, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (172,656 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (168,125 people), and Management Occupations (167,980 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, San Diego County, CA has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.94 times higher than expected), Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.51 times), and Legal Occupations (1.23 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of San Diego County, CA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($108,120), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($91,683), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($85,854).

Industries

Employment by Industries

1.61M

2018 Value

± 23,050

-0.295%

1 Year decline

± 2.01%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in San Diego County, CA declined at a rate of -0.295%, from 1.61M employees to 1.61M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in San Diego County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (207,362 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (170,038 people), and Retail Trade (164,758 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of San Diego County, CA, though some of these residents may live in San Diego County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in San Diego County, CA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (207,362 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (170,038 people), and Retail Trade (164,758 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, San Diego County, CA has an unusually high number of Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.52 times higher than expected), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.41 times), and Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.35 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in San Diego County, CA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($130,236), Utilities ($81,343), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($80,664).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $196B, followed by Mixed freight ($157B) and Gasoline ($127B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$1.54T

2015 Value in California

$2.48T

Projected 2045 Value in California

61.2% growth

In 2015, total outbound California trade was $1.54T. This is expected to increase 61.2% to $2.48T by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$63.1B
Arizona
$42.2B
Washington
$31.2B

In 2015, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $63.1B, followed by Arizona with $42.2B and Washington and $31.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in San Diego County, CA awarded 73,478 degrees. The student population of San Diego County, CA is skewed towards women, with 141,505 male students and 184,501 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in San Diego County, CA are White (27,699 and 39.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (19,157 and 27.6%), Asian (8,553 and 12.3%), and Black or African American (6,874 and 9.9%).

The largest universities in San Diego County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Ashford University (11,493 and 15.6%), University of California-San Diego (9,868 and 13.4%), and San Diego State University (9,319 and 12.7%).

The most popular majors in San Diego County, CA are General Business Administration & Management (7,054 and 9.6%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (5,184 and 7.06%), and General Education (3,193 and 4.35%).

The median tuition costs in San Diego County, CA are $20,500 for private four year colleges, and $5,742 and $17,622 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
2,988 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
1,956 degree-majorss awarded
Early Childhood Education & Teaching
1,140 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in San Diego County, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 2,988 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in San Diego County, CA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Ashford University
11,493 degrees awarded
University of California-San Diego
9,868 degrees awarded
San Diego State University
9,319 degrees awarded

$5,742

Median In-State Public

$20,500

Median Private

In 2017, the San Diego County, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Ashford University with 11,493 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

29,779

Degrees Awarded to Men

43,699

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 29,779 men were awarded degrees from institutions in San Diego County, CA, which is 0.681 times less than the 43,699 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in San Diego County, CA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
27,699 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
19,157 degrees awarded
Asian
8,553 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in San Diego County, CA were to White students. These 27,699 degrees mean that there were 1.45 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 19,157 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in San Diego County, CA was $606,200 in 2018, which is 2.64 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $563,800 to $606,200, a 7.52% increase. The homeownership rate in San Diego County, CA is 53.1%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in San Diego County, CA have an average commute time of 24.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in San Diego County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$606,200

2018 Median

± $5,008

$563,800

2017 Median

± $6,340

In 2018, the median property value in San Diego County, CA grew to to $606,200 from the previous year's value of $563,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in San Diego County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In San Diego County, CA the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

Household Income

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

$79,079

Median Household Income

± $1,474

1.13M

Number of Households

± 17,494

In 2018, the median household income of the 1.13M households in San Diego County, CA grew to $79,079 from the previous year's value of $76,207.

The following chart displays the households in San Diego County, 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 $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in San Diego County, CA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In San Diego County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

53.1%

2018 Homeownership

53.5%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 53.1% of the housing units in San Diego County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 53.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in San Diego County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

24.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in San Diego County, CA have a shorter commute time (24.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.15% of the workforce in San Diego County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
76.5%
Carpooled
8.76%
Worked At Home
6.6%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in San Diego County, CA was Drove Alone (76.5%), followed by those who Carpooled (8.76%) and those who Worked At Home (6.6%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in San Diego County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in San Diego County, CA have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

92.3% of the population of San Diego County, CA has health coverage, with 46.4% on employee plans, 18.3% on Medicaid, 9.02% on Medicare, 14.7% on non-group plans, and 3.92% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in California was $7,549 in 2014. This is a 4.04% increase from the previous year ($7,256).

Primary care physicians in San Diego County, CA see 1274 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.235% decrease from the previous year (1277 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1174 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 317 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Tehama County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (10.6%). Additionally, Tulare County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (33.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,274 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in San Diego County, CA

Primary care physicians in San Diego County, CA see an average of 1,274 patients per year. This represents a 0.235% decrease from the previous year (1,277 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in San Diego County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,549

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in California

$4,735

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,368

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,833

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in California (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.04%, from $7,256 to $7,549.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

7.71%

Uninsured

46.4%

Employer Coverage

18.3%

Medicaid

9.02%

Medicare

14.7%

Non-Group

3.92%

Military or VA

Between N/A and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in San Diego County, CA N/A by N/A from N/A% to 7.71%.

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