Carlsbad, CA Demographics

A map of Carlsbad's Population by Race

Carlsbad, California has an estimated population of 114,373, a less than 1% change from the 114,746 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.7% White, 17.4% Hispanic, 8.0% Asian, 6.8% Multiracial, 1.3% Black, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Carlsbad, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Carlsbad has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Carlsbad, that probability was 49.1% in 2020 and 52.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Carlsbad is ranked the 56th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Carlsbad was ranked the 57th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Carlsbad's White Population

75,181 residents of Carlsbad, or 65.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Carlsbad is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Carlsbad ranks 587th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's White population has declined by an estimated 5.1%. White residents' share of Carlsbad's population has decreased from 69.0% to 65.7%.

Carlsbad is more White than neighboring Vista (36.2% White), Oceanside (42.6% White), and San Marcos (43.8% White). Carlsbad is less White than neighboring Lake San Marcos (66.1% White), and Encinitas (73.3% White).

Carlsbad's Black Population

1,442 residents of Carlsbad, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Carlsbad is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Carlsbad ranks 690th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Black population has grown by an estimated 17.1%. Black residents' share of Carlsbad's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Carlsbad is more Black than neighboring Lake San Marcos (0.4% Black), Encinitas (0.4% Black), and San Marcos (1.2% Black). Carlsbad is less Black than neighboring Vista (2.7% Black), and Oceanside (4.2% Black).

Carlsbad's Asian Population

9,123 residents of Carlsbad, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Carlsbad is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Carlsbad ranks 361st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Asian population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. Asian residents' share of Carlsbad's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.0%.

Carlsbad is more Asian than neighboring Lake San Marcos (5.2% Asian), Encinitas (4.2% Asian), and Vista (5.6% Asian). Carlsbad is less Asian than neighboring Oceanside (8.2% Asian), and San Marcos (11.7% Asian).

Carlsbad's Hispanic Population

19,871 residents of Carlsbad, or 17.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Carlsbad is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Carlsbad ranks 1036th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 14.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Carlsbad's population has increased from 15.1% to 17.4%.

Carlsbad is more Hispanic than neighboring Encinitas (16.4% Hispanic). Carlsbad is less Hispanic than neighboring Lake San Marcos (22.3% Hispanic), Vista (49.4% Hispanic), Oceanside (37.5% Hispanic), and San Marcos (36.8% Hispanic).

Carlsbad's Native American/Other Population

936 residents of Carlsbad, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Carlsbad is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Carlsbad ranks 1075th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Carlsbad's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Carlsbad is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lake San Marcos (0.3% Native American/Other), Encinitas (0.7% Native American/Other), and San Marcos (0.7% Native American/Other). Carlsbad is less Native American/Other than neighboring Vista (1.3% Native American/Other), and Oceanside (1.2% Native American/Other).

Carlsbad's Multiracial Population

7,820 residents of Carlsbad, or 6.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Carlsbad is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Carlsbad ranks 459th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 12.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Carlsbad's population has increased from 6.0% to 6.8%.

Carlsbad is more Multiracial than neighboring Lake San Marcos (5.8% Multiracial), Encinitas (4.9% Multiracial), Vista (4.9% Multiracial), Oceanside (6.3% Multiracial), and San Marcos (5.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.