Santee, CA Demographics

A map of Santee's Population by Race

Santee, California has an estimated population of 59,332, a slight decrease from the 60,037 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.9% White, 20.9% Hispanic, 7.1% Multiracial, 6.5% Asian, 1.8% Black, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Santee, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Santee is about as racially diverse as it was in 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 Santee, that probability was 55.2% in 2020 and 55.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Santee is ranked the 158th 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). Santee was ranked the 159th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Santee's White Population

37,341 residents of Santee, or 62.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Santee is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Santee ranks 714th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santee's White population has declined by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of Santee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 62.9%.

Santee is more White than neighboring Bostonia (48.6% White), El Cajon (51.9% White), and Lakeside CDP (San Diego County) (62.1% White). Santee is less White than neighboring Eucalyptus Hills (72.1% White), and Winter Gardens (64.4% White).

Santee's Black Population

1,041 residents of Santee, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Santee is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Santee ranks 418th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santee's Black population has declined by an estimated 17.7%. Black residents' share of Santee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Santee is more Black than neighboring Winter Gardens (0.8% Black), and Lakeside CDP (San Diego County) (1.3% Black). Santee is less Black than neighboring Eucalyptus Hills (2.9% Black), Bostonia (8.8% Black), and El Cajon (5.8% Black).

Santee's Asian Population

3,858 residents of Santee, or 6.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Santee is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Santee ranks 437th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santee's Asian population has grown by an estimated 11.6%. Asian residents' share of Santee's population has increased from 5.8% to 6.5%.

Santee is more Asian than neighboring Eucalyptus Hills (0.8% Asian), Bostonia (3.3% Asian), El Cajon (5.3% Asian), Winter Gardens (3.8% Asian), and Lakeside CDP (San Diego County) (2% Asian).

Santee's Hispanic Population

12,405 residents of Santee, or 20.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Santee is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Santee ranks 842nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santee's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Santee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 20.9%.

Santee is less Hispanic than neighboring Eucalyptus Hills (21.7% Hispanic), Bostonia (32.8% Hispanic), El Cajon (29% Hispanic), Winter Gardens (27.3% Hispanic), and Lakeside CDP (San Diego County) (26.7% Hispanic).

Santee's Native American/Other Population

488 residents of Santee, 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 Santee is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Santee ranks 611th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santee's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 46.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Santee's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.8%.

Santee is more Native American/Other than neighboring Eucalyptus Hills (0% Native American/Other). Santee is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bostonia (1.7% Native American/Other), El Cajon (1.3% Native American/Other), and Lakeside CDP (San Diego County) (1.5% Native American/Other).

Santee's Multiracial Population

4,199 residents of Santee, or 7.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Santee is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Santee ranks 306th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santee's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Santee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.1%.

Santee is more Multiracial than neighboring Eucalyptus Hills (2.4% Multiracial), Bostonia (4.9% Multiracial), El Cajon (6.7% Multiracial), Winter Gardens (2.8% Multiracial), and Lakeside CDP (San Diego County) (6.3% 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.