San Diego County, CA

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

3.32M

0.238% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

36.1

0.838% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

10.9%

5.75% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$82,426

4.36% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$595,600

5.66% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

1.59M

0.0342% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, San Diego County, CA had a population of 3.32M people with a median age of 36.1 and a median household income of $82,426. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of San Diego County, CA grew from 3.32M to 3.32M, a 0.238% increase and its median household income grew from $78,980 to $82,426, a 4.36% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in San Diego County, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (44.9%), White (Hispanic) (21.7%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (11.7%), Other (Hispanic) (6.49%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (4.66%).

None of the households in San Diego County, 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.

90% of the residents in San Diego County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in San Diego County, CA are University of California-San Diego (11,376 degrees awarded in 2020), San Diego State University (10,118 degrees), and Ashford University (10,019 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in San Diego County, CA was $595,600, and the homeownership rate was 53.9%. Most people in San Diego County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.5 minutes. The average car ownership in San Diego County, CA was 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

Diversity

San Diego County, CA is home to a population of 3.32M people, from which 90% are citizens. As of 2020, 22.9% of San Diego County, CA residents were born outside of the country (762k people).

In 2020, there were 2.07 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.49M people) in San Diego County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 721k White (Hispanic) and 389k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in San Diego County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.49M ± 1.72k
White (Hispanic)
721k ± 8.36k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
389k ± 3.25k

33.9%

Hispanic Population

1.13M people

33.9% of the people in San Diego County, CA are hispanic (1.13M people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

22.9%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

762k people

23.4%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

775k people

As of 2020, 22.9% of San Diego County, CA residents (762k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in San Diego County, CA was 23.4%, 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

± 0.1

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.2

In 2020, the median age of all people in San Diego County, CA was 36.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 32, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 48. But people in San Diego County, CA are getting getting older. In 2019, 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
4,008,868 ± 46,586 people
Philippines
829,356 ± 22,122 people
China
683,718 ± 20,124 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,008,868 California residents, followed by Philippines with 829,356 and China with 683,718.

Citizenship

90%

2020 Citizenship

89.3%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 90% of San Diego County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in San Diego County, CA was 89.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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-)
69,890 ± 2,465
Vietnam
55,663 ± 1,425
Gulf War (1990s)
33,274 ± 1,853

San Diego County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.26 times greater than any other conflict.

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.

Y-Axis

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.

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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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in California. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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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.

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Economy

Median household income in San Diego County, CA is $82,426. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in San Diego County, CA was Census Tract 83.11 with a value of $201,392, followed by Census Tract 83.28 and Census Tract 95.04, with respective values of $199,063 and $198,438.

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $64,427. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.498, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of San Diego County, CA employs 1.59M people. The largest industries in San Diego County, CA are Health Care & Social Assistance (198,753 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (173,808 people), and Retail Trade (165,259 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($87,344), Utilities ($86,723), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($75,559).

Wages

Median Household Income

$82,426

2020 value

± $734

4.36%

1 Year Growth

± 1.22%

Households in San Diego County, CA have a median annual income of $82,426, which is more than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $78,980 in 2019, which represents a 4.36% 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 Sex in Common Jobs

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

$81,373

Average Male Salary in California

± $777

$64,427

Average Female Salary in California

± $650

In 2020, full-time male employees in California made 1.26 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-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
$76,893 ± $1,222
White
$68,605 ± $653
Two or More Races
$54,009 ± $1,392

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.12 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.

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

0.499

2019 Wage GINI in California

In 2020, the income inequality in California was 0.498 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.321% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 83.11
Census Tract 83.28
Census Tract 95.04

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in San Diego County, CA was Census Tract 83.11 with a value of $201,392, followed by Census Tract 83.28 and Census Tract 95.04, with respective values of $199,063 and $198,438.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

10.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in San Diego County, CA (354k out of 3.24M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. 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
217,712 ± 3,984
Hispanic
158,675 ± 3,591
Asian
37,664 ± 1,579

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

1.59M

2020 Value

± 11,048

0.0342%

1 Year growth

± 0.932%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in San Diego County, CA grew at a rate of 0.0342%, from 1.59M employees to 1.59M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in San Diego County, CA, are Management Occupations (177,307 people), Sales & Related Occupations (167,832 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (163,029 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 Management Occupations (177,307 people), Sales & Related Occupations (167,832 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (163,029 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 (1.82 times higher than expected), Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.61 times), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.32 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of San Diego County, CA, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($93,797), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($92,859), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($90,399).

Industries

Employment by Industries

1.59M

2020 Value

± 11,048

0.0342%

1 Year growth

± 0.932%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in San Diego County, CA grew at a rate of 0.0342%, from 1.59M employees to 1.59M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in San Diego County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (198,753 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (173,808 people), and Retail Trade (165,259 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 (198,753 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (173,808 people), and Retail Trade (165,259 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, San Diego County, CA has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.47 times higher than expected), Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.35 times), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (1.3 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in San Diego County, CA, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($87,344), Utilities ($86,723), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($75,559).

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 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $407B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($158B) and Mixed freight ($149B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.26T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

104% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 104% to $4.61T by 2050.

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
$83.5B
Arizona
$44.4B
Ohio
$43.3B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $83.5B, followed by Arizona with $44.4B and Ohio and $43.3B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in San Diego County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 60.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (37.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.33%). The most partisan county was San Francisco County, CA with 85.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla 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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (60.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (37.5%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.33%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in San Diego County, CA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for San Diego County, CA

60.2% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in California

San Francisco County, CA
85.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Marin County, CA
82.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Alameda County, CA
80.2% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in California was San Francisco County, CA with 85.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. 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 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

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.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla 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.

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.

Education

In 2020, universities in San Diego County, CA awarded 80,256 degrees. The student population of San Diego County, CA is skewed towards women, with 128,690 male students and 185,915 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in San Diego County, CA are White (27,341 and 36.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (22,656 and 30.2%), Asian (9,175 and 12.2%), and Black or African American (6,641 and 8.86%).

The largest universities in San Diego County, CA by number of degrees awarded are University of California-San Diego (11,376 and 14.2%), San Diego State University (10,118 and 12.6%), and Ashford University (10,019 and 12.5%).

The most popular majors in San Diego County, CA are General Business Administration & Management (7,395 and 9.21%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (7,166 and 8.93%), and General Psychology (3,354 and 4.18%).

The median tuition costs in San Diego County, CA are $19,811 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
3,503 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
1,880 degree-majorss awarded
Early Childhood Education & Teaching
1,219 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in San Diego County, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 3,503 degrees 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

University of California-San Diego
11,376 degrees awarded
San Diego State University
10,118 degrees awarded
Ashford University
10,019 degrees awarded

$5,742

Median In-State Public

$19,811

Median Private

In 2020, the San Diego County, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of California-San Diego with 11,376 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

32,057

Degrees Awarded to Men

48,199

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 32,057 men were awarded degrees from institutions in San Diego County, CA, which is 0.665 times less than the 48,199 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex 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
27,341 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
22,656 degrees awarded
Asian
9,175 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in San Diego County, CA was White students. These 27,341 degrees mean that there were 1.21 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 22,656 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in San Diego County, CA was $595,600 in 2020, which is 2.59 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $563,700 to $595,600, a 5.66% increase. The homeownership rate in San Diego County, CA is 53.9%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in San Diego County, CA have an average commute time of 26.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. 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

$595,600

2020 Median

± $2,794

$563,700

2019 Median

± $2,599

In 2020, the median property value in San Diego County, CA grew to to $595,600 from the previous year's value of $563,700.

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.

$82,426

Median Household Income

± $734

1.13M

Number of Households

± 8,792

In 2020, the median household income of the 1.13M households in San Diego County, CA grew to $82,426 from the previous year's value of $78,980.

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

53.9%

2020 Homeownership

53.3%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 53.9% of the housing units in San Diego County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 53.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in San Diego County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

26.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in San Diego County, CA have a shorter commute time (26.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.19% 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 Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (73.9%)
Worked At Home (9.64%)
Carpooled (8.67%)

In 2020, 73.9% of workers in San Diego County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.64%) and those who carpooled to work (8.67%).

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 false.

Health

92.4% of the population of San Diego County, CA has health coverage, with 46.9% on employee plans, 17.2% on Medicaid, 9.62% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 3.77% 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 1242 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.878% decrease from the previous year (1253 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1100 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 250 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Amador County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (17%). Additionally, Colusa County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,242 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 1,242 patients per year. This represents a 0.878% decrease from the previous year (1,253 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

7.58%

Uninsured

46.9%

Employer Coverage

17.2%

Medicaid

9.62%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

3.77%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in San Diego County, CA declined by 3.24% from 7.84% to 7.58%.

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.