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Get ready-to-use data, reports, analysis, and visualizations covering the demographics of San Diego County, California based on the current United States Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates.

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San Diego County, California Demographics: Sex by Age

Population by age and sex in San Diego County, California, based on 2023 ACS data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the total population of San Diego County, California is 3,282,782. The median age of the population in San Diego County, California is 37.1. The median age for males is 36.0 years, and for females, it is 38.3 years.

The age distribution of the population in San Diego County, California is as follows:

  • Under 5 years: 5.71%
  • 5–17 years (children): 15.44%
  • 18–24 years (young adults): 9.73%
  • 25–34 years: 16.01%
  • 35–54 years: 26.26%
  • 55–64 years: 11.81%
  • 65 years and over (seniors): 15.04%

The total dependency ratio in San Diego County, California is 56.71%. The youth dependency ratio is 33.14%, and the old-age dependency ratio is 23.57%. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children and older adults) relative to those of working age.

San Diego County, California Demographics: Population by Race & Ethnicity

Population by race and ethnicity in San Diego County, California based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau ACS data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the breakdown of the population in San Diego County, California by race and ethnicity (racial demographics) is as follows:

  • White: 43.18%
  • Black/African American: 4.44%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.26%
  • Asian: 11.91%
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.37%
  • Some other race: 0.54%
  • Two or more races: 4.97%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 34.34%

The diversity index score in San Diego County, California is 67.7%, suggesting a high level of diversity.

San Diego County, California Demographics: Household Income

Median and distribution of household income in San Diego County, California based on 2023 American Community Survey (ACS)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the median household income in San Diego County, California over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $102,285.

The distribution of household income by income bracket in San Diego County, California is as follows:

  • Less than $20,000: 8.43%
  • $20,000–$34,999: 7.62%
  • $35,000–$49,999: 7.76%
  • $50,000–$74,999: 13.07%
  • $75,000–$149,999: 31.19%
  • $150,000 or more: 31.93%

San Diego County, California Demographics: Educational Attainment

Educational attainment levels of the population in San Diego County, California based on 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the breakdown of the total population of San Diego County, California, age 25 and older, by educational level is as follows:

  • Less than high school graduate: 10.98%
  • High school graduate (incl. equivalency): 17.95%
  • Some college or associate's degree: 28.98%
  • Bachelor's Degree: 25.57%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 16.52%

In San Diego County, California, 42.09% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, while 89.02% are high school graduates or higher.

San Diego County, California Demographics: Health Insurance Coverage Status by Sex by Age

Health insurance coverage by age and sex in San Diego County, California from the 2023 ACS
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the uninsured rate in San Diego County, California is 6.77%.

Rates of people in San Diego County, California lacking health insurance coverage, by age group and sex are as follows:

  • Under 18: 2.87% of males and 2.68% of females are uninsured
  • Ages 18–34: 7.05% of males and 5.85% of females are uninsured
  • Ages 35–64: 11.28% of males and 8.42% of females are uninsured
  • Ages 65 and older: 0.53% of males and 3.47% of females are uninsured

San Diego County, California Demographics: Nativity and Citizenship Status in the United States

Chart showing the breakdown of U.S. citizenship status and nativity in 2023 for the San Diego County, California, based on ACS 5-Year Estimates
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 90.86% of people living in San Diego County, California are U.S. citizens. This includes individuals born in the United States, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Island Areas, those born abroad to American parents, and those who became citizens through naturalization. 13.35% of the population obtained U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process. In San Diego County, California, 13.35% of the population are naturalized immigrants, who obtained U.S. citizenship through the immigration and naturalization process.

San Diego County, California Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

How people commute to work in San Diego County, California based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau ACS data on transportation methods
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the means of transportation to work for the population of San Diego County, California are distributed as follows:

  • Car, truck, or van: 75.74%
  • Public transportation (excluding taxicab): 2.17%
  • Bicycle: 0.49%
  • Walked: 3.08%
  • Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.61%
  • Worked from home: 16.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the age breakdown of the population of San Diego County, California is as follows:

  • Under 5: 5.71%
  • Ages 5–17: 15.44%
  • Ages 18–24: 9.73%
  • Ages 25–34: 16.01%
  • Ages 35–54: 26.26%
  • Ages 55–64: 11.81%
  • 65 or older: 15.04%

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the racial demographics of the population of San Diego County, California are as follows:

  • White: 43.18%
  • Black/African American: 4.44%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.26%
  • Asian: 11.91%
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.37%
  • Some other race: 0.54%
  • Two or more races: 4.97%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 34.34%

* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Other categories are non-Hispanic.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the distribution of household income in San Diego County, California by income bracket is as follows:

  • Less than $20,000: 8.43%
  • $20,000–$34,999: 7.62%
  • $35,000–$49,999: 7.76%
  • $50,000–$74,999: 13.07%
  • $75,000–$149,999: 31.19%
  • $150,000 or more: 31.93%

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the median household income in San Diego County, California in the past 12 months, in 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars, was $102,285.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 43.18% of the population in San Diego County, California identifies as White alone (not Hispanic or Latino).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 4.44% of the population in San Diego County, California identifies as Black or African American alone (not Hispanic or Latino).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 6.77% of the population of San Diego County, California lacks health insurance coverage.

The detailed breakdown by age and sex is as follows:

  • Under 18: 2.87% of males and 2.68% of females
  • Ages 18–34: 7.05% of males and 5.85% of females
  • Ages 35–64: 11.28% of males and 8.42% of females
  • Ages 65 and over: 0.53% of males and 3.47% of females