How many people live in the San Diego, CA area?
Updated Mar. 4, 2026Refreshed annually
In 2024 there were 3.3 million people in the San Diego, CA area. That makes the San Diego, CA metropolitan statistical area the 18th-most populous metro area in the US. It is home to 0.97% of the nation's population.
3.3M
population of San Diego, CA area (2024)
0.97%
San Diego, CA area share of US population (2024)
Between 2010 and 2024, the population of the San Diego, CA area increased from 3.1 million to 3.3 million—a 6.3% increase. During that same period, the US population grew 9.9%.
About 3.3 million people lived in the San Diego, CA area in 2024.
Population estimates of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area, 2010–2024
What are the age demographics of the San Diego, CA area?
About 16.3% of the San Diego, CA area's population in 2024 was aged 65 years or older, lower than the 18% share in the nation overall. Children (under 18) account for 20.4% of the San Diego, CA area population, below the 21.6% population share of children nationwide.
A lower share of the San Diego, CA area population is 65 and older than the US overall.
Population share by age group in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of the San Diego, CA area?
Hispanic residents make up 35.2% of the San Diego, CA area population, higher than the national share of 20%.
Racial and ethnic make up differ based on location. These figures reflect how people identified their race alone (not in combination with other races), and separate out Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, following Census reporting standards.
A higher share of the San Diego, CA area population is Hispanic than the US overall.
Population share by race and ethnicity in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
