74th largest of 176
Among California’s 176 cities of 50,000+ residents, El Cajon ranks 74th by population (101,755, July 2025).
El Cajon is a city in California. The Census Bureau estimates 101,755 residents in July 2025, compared with 106,215 counted in the 2020 Census. With 15 square miles of land, it had 7,320 people per square mile in 2020. These figures describe the city itself, not its county or metropolitan area.
Key indicators
Population
101,755
July 2025 estimate · Census Bureau
2020 Census population
106,215
April 2020 · Decennial Census
Change since 2020
−4.2%
April 2020 base to July 2025
Households
33,890
ACS 2020–2024
Population density
7,320 /mi²
2020 Census · 15 mi² of land
Median household income
$67,511
ACS 2020–2024 · 2024 dollars
Median home value
$681,700
ACS 2020–2024
Median gross rent
$1,856 /month
ACS 2020–2024
Poverty rate
20.5%
ACS 2020–2024
Bachelor’s degree or higher
23.0%
Adults 25+ · ACS 2020–2024
Foreign-born residents
29.3%
ACS 2020–2024
Hispanic or Latino residents
29.0%
ACS 2020–2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population · annual estimates
2010–2025101,755▲ 2%
Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 from 2020).
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate, 2025 | 101,755 | Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 |
| Population estimates base, April 2020 | 106,180 | Census Bureau |
| Population, 2020 Census | 106,215 | Decennial Census |
| Population, 2010 Census | 99,478 | Decennial Census |
| Population, 2000 Census | 94,869 | Decennial Census |
| Land area | 14.5 mi² | Census Gazetteer 2024 |
| Median age | 36.1 years | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Per capita income | $31,254 | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Owner-occupied housing | 41.5% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.6% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Veterans | 5,040 | Civilians 18+ · ACS 2020–2024 |
El Cajon in context
Comparable indicators for the city, California and the United States.
| Indicator | City | California | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,511 | $99,122 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Median home value | $681,700 | $734,700 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Median gross rent | $1,856 /month | $2,036 /month | $1,413 /month | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | 12.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 23.0% | 37.1% | 35.7% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Foreign-born residents | 29.3% | 27.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Owner-occupied housing | 41.5% | 55.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Median age | 36.1 years | 37.9 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 |
Did you know? El Cajon
Fewer residents than in 2020
The city lost 4,425 residents (−4.2%) from April 2020 to July 2025, 148th for growth among the state’s 176 large cities.
Two decades of change
The census counted 94,869 residents in 2000 and 106,215 in 2020, a +12.0% change.
Below the state income
Median household income is $67,511, −31.9% versus California ($99,122); 167th of 176 large cities.
Home values
The median owner-occupied home is worth $681,700, 105th highest of the state’s 176 large cities.