Vista, CA Demographics

A map of Vista's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	48,933	49,744	49.4%	50.6%
White	35,854	35,518	36.2%	36.1%
Asian	5,528	4,984	5.6%	5.1%
Multiracial	4,862	4,317	4.9%	4.4%
Black	2,676	2,410	2.7%	2.4%
Native American/Other	1,261	1,408	1.3%	1.4%

Vista, California has an estimated population of 99,114, a less than 1% change from the 98,381 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 49.4% Hispanic, 36.2% White, 5.6% Asian, 4.9% Multiracial, 2.7% Black, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Vista, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Vista 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 Vista, that probability was 60.9% in 2020 and 61.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Vista is ranked the 78th 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). Vista was ranked the 78th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Vista's White Population

35,854 residents of Vista, or 36.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Vista is slightly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Vista ranks 1103rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Vista's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Vista's population has remained roughly unchanged at 36.2%.

Vista is less White than neighboring Lake San Marcos (66.1% White), Oceanside (42.6% White), Carlsbad (65.7% White), San Marcos (43.8% White), and Bonsall (60.4% White).

Vista's Black Population

2,676 residents of Vista, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Vista is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Vista ranks 371st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Vista's Black population has grown by an estimated 11.0%. Black residents' share of Vista's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.7%.

Vista is more Black than neighboring Lake San Marcos (0.4% Black), Carlsbad (1.3% Black), San Marcos (1.2% Black), and Bonsall (1% Black). Vista is less Black than neighboring Oceanside (4.2% Black).

Vista's Asian Population

5,528 residents of Vista, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Vista is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Vista ranks 473rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Vista's Asian population has grown by an estimated 10.9%. Asian residents' share of Vista's population has increased from 5.1% to 5.6%.

Vista is more Asian than neighboring Lake San Marcos (5.2% Asian), and Bonsall (2.7% Asian). Vista is less Asian than neighboring Oceanside (8.2% Asian), Carlsbad (8% Asian), and San Marcos (11.7% Asian).

Vista's Hispanic Population

48,933 residents of Vista, or 49.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Vista is higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Vista ranks 391st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Vista's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 1.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Vista's population has decreased from 50.6% to 49.4%.

Vista is more Hispanic than neighboring Lake San Marcos (22.3% Hispanic), Oceanside (37.5% Hispanic), Carlsbad (17.4% Hispanic), San Marcos (36.8% Hispanic), and Bonsall (30.6% Hispanic).

Vista's Native American/Other Population

1,261 residents of Vista, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Vista is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Vista ranks 669th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Vista's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 10.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Vista's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Vista is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lake San Marcos (0.3% Native American/Other), Oceanside (1.2% Native American/Other), Carlsbad (0.8% Native American/Other), San Marcos (0.7% Native American/Other), and Bonsall (0% Native American/Other).

Vista's Multiracial Population

4,862 residents of Vista, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Vista is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Vista ranks 867th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Vista's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 12.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Vista's population has increased from 4.4% to 4.9%.

Vista is less Multiracial than neighboring Lake San Marcos (5.8% Multiracial), Oceanside (6.3% Multiracial), Carlsbad (6.8% Multiracial), San Marcos (5.9% Multiracial), and Bonsall (5.3% 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.