Demographics & People
1,389,526 people call San Diego home, in 530,412 households. Population grew 0.3% from 1,385,061 (2022) to 1,389,526 (2024). Median age 36.2 years. (1.1y younger than San Diego County; 1.4y younger than California). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 41% White (non-Hispanic) and 30% Hispanic or Latino. The community is highly diverse (Simpson index 0.65). 59% of households are family-led. County is losing 58,549 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 25% adult obesity, 10% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs California avg 2.9).
- 41% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs California 29%).
- 49 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs California 60).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.3% from 1,385,061 (2022) to 1,389,526 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,393,976 (extrapolated at 0.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,399,890.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| County Population | 3,298,634 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 32.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,385,061 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,389,526 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 1,389,526 people (vs California 109,857) |
| Population Estimate | 1,399,890 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year · U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage Population Estimates · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.2y is 2.7 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.2 years (vs California 37.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,389,526 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 256,082 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 410,244 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 520,068 |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 203,132 |
| Median age | 36.2 years (vs California 37.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 1,389,526 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.65 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as highly diverse.
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 64.8% |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | highly diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 48.8% |
| Asian population | 17.3% (vs California 11.9%) |
| Black population | 5.3% (vs California 4.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 29.8% (vs California 37.7%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 40.9% (vs California 28.1%) |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (1)
Sources: Census ACS 2022 B04006+B03001+B02001
Households & Family Composition
530,412 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 59% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 307,817 families, 31% are married couples with children.
| Family households | 310,973 households (vs California 24,803) |
|---|---|
| Households that are families | 58.6% (vs California 71.1%) |
| Total households | 530,412 households (vs California 37,381) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 15.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 58,549 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 2,990,334 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 3,048,883 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -58,549 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12