2nd most populous of 58
With 3,298,799 residents in 2024, San Diego County ranks 2nd by population among California's 58 counties and is home to 8.4% of the state's residents.
San Diego County is home to 3,298,799 people (2024 estimate) on 4,210 square miles of land, with San Diego as county seat. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—and American Community Survey indicators on income, housing and employment.
Key indicators
Population
3,298,799
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
3,298,647
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+0.0%
2020–2024
Land area
4,210 mi²
10,905 km²
Population density
783.5 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
35,738
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
23,071
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+12,667
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+292
Domestic + international, 2024
Median home value
$854,700
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.3%
BLS annual average, 2024
Per capita personal income
$84,312
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$331.9 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$106,268
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
10.3%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
43.2%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
22.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–20243,298,799▲ 17%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 3,298,799 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 3,095,313 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 2,827,366 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +16.7% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +24,226 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −23,934 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 10.8 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 7.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in California | 2nd of 58 | 2024 · calculated |
| Density rank in California | 9th of 58 | 2024 · calculated |
| County seat | San Diego | California State Association of Counties |
| Per capita personal income | $84,312 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $331.9 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $106,268 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 43.2% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 22.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $854,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $2,246/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 37.3 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 1,171,278 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.6% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
San Diego County in context
Comparable indicators for San Diego County, California and the United States.
| Indicator | County | California | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +0.0% | −0.3% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 10.8 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 7.0 | 7.4 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 0.1 | 3.1 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 783.5 | 253.0 | 96.3 | Land area, Census Gazetteer |
| Per capita personal income | $84,312 | $86,232 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $106,268 | $99,122 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 12.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 43.2% | 37.1% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 22.8% | 27.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $854,700 | $734,700 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $2,246/month | $2,036/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 37.3 years | 37.9 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.6% | 55.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
12 cities · choose how to order them
Chula Vista
275,487 residents
Oceanside
174,068 residents
Escondido
151,038 residents
Carlsbad
114,746 residents
El Cajon
106,215 residents
Vista
98,381 residents
San Marcos
94,833 residents
Encinitas
62,007 residents
La Mesa
61,121 residents
Santee
60,037 residents
National City
56,173 residents
San Diego
1.4 M residents
Did you know? San Diego County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 2,827,366 in 2000 to 3,298,799 in 2024, a change of +16.7%, compared with +16.0% for California as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 35,738 births and 23,071 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 12,667.
Peak population in 2018
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 3,332,483 in 2018. The 2024 figure is 33,684 lower.
9th in density
San Diego County has about 783.5 residents per square mile of land, ranking 9th of 58 counties; California averages 253.0.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $106,268 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 14th of 58 California counties; the state median is $99,122.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $331.9 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 4th largest among 58 California counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 2.1% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2023 5-year
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts