San Diego, CA Demographics

A map of San Diego's Population by Race

San Diego, California has an estimated population of 1,389,526, a less than 1% change from the 1,386,932 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 40.9% White, 29.8% Hispanic, 17.3% Asian, 5.5% Multiracial, 5.3% Black, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of San Diego, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

San Diego is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more 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 San Diego, that probability was 70.9% in 2020 and 70.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

San Diego is ranked the 2nd 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). San Diego was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

San Diego's White Population

568,126 residents of San Diego, or 40.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in San Diego is higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. San Diego ranks 1058th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Diego's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of San Diego's population has remained roughly unchanged at 40.9%.

San Diego is more White than neighboring Lemon Grove (26.9% White), National City (10.6% White), and La Presa (23.5% White). San Diego is less White than neighboring La Mesa (50.8% White), and Santee (62.9% White).

San Diego's Black Population

73,967 residents of San Diego, or 5.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in San Diego is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. San Diego ranks 183rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Diego's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.6%. Black residents' share of San Diego's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.3%.

San Diego is more Black than neighboring Santee (1.8% Black), and National City (5.1% Black). San Diego is less Black than neighboring La Mesa (7.7% Black), Lemon Grove (12% Black), and La Presa (11.4% Black).

San Diego's Asian Population

240,003 residents of San Diego, or 17.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in San Diego is comparable to the share in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. San Diego ranks 161st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Diego's Asian population has declined by an estimated 1.4%. Asian residents' share of San Diego's population has remained roughly unchanged at 17.3%.

San Diego is more Asian than neighboring La Mesa (5.9% Asian), Lemon Grove (10% Asian), Santee (6.5% Asian), National City (16.7% Asian), and La Presa (9.3% Asian).

San Diego's Hispanic Population

414,040 residents of San Diego, or 29.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in San Diego is considerably lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. San Diego ranks 659th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Diego's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of San Diego's population has remained roughly unchanged at 29.8%.

San Diego is more Hispanic than neighboring La Mesa (27.9% Hispanic), and Santee (20.9% Hispanic). San Diego is less Hispanic than neighboring Lemon Grove (45.4% Hispanic), National City (63.5% Hispanic), and La Presa (50.3% Hispanic).

San Diego's Native American/Other Population

16,471 residents of San Diego, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in San Diego is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. San Diego ranks 847th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Diego's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of San Diego's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

San Diego is more Native American/Other than neighboring La Mesa (0.9% Native American/Other), Lemon Grove (0.7% Native American/Other), and Santee (0.8% Native American/Other). San Diego is less Native American/Other than neighboring La Presa (1.6% Native American/Other).

San Diego's Multiracial Population

76,919 residents of San Diego, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in San Diego is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. San Diego ranks 654th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Diego's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.0%. Multiracial residents' share of San Diego's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.5%.

San Diego is more Multiracial than neighboring Lemon Grove (5% Multiracial), National City (2.9% Multiracial), and La Presa (4% Multiracial). San Diego is less Multiracial than neighboring La Mesa (6.9% Multiracial), and Santee (7.1% 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.