Population 12,560 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Del Mar
Household size in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.29 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.37 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Del Mar is a place of small households, averaging 2.37 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.29, even as the national average fell. Only 66 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.3 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 49.2 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.5 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.6 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 50.6, Del Mar is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 49.3, mirroring the country. Only 41 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.1% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.0% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.1% of households in Del Mar, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 50 have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Del Mar
Renters in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.7% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.5% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.3% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.2% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Del Mar own their homes; 28.2% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 36.4% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the northeast. The renter share is down 0.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.8% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Del Mar: 15.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 1.3 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | −0 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Del Mar run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1975 against 1980. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,861 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,906 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,427 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $3,227 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,366 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Del Mar runs $3,227 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,366 a month from 2006–10, a 73% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 26.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Del Mar
Bachelor's degrees in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.3% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 73.6% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 76.5% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 84.3% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.0 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Del Mar is highly educated: just over eight in ten adults 25 and older (84.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 10.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only four of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.6% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.5% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 99.4% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.5% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Del Mar: 98.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Only 18 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Del Mar
| Period | Del Mar | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.2% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.3% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Del Mar than nationally: unemployment was 4.1%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Del Mar compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Mar | 2.37 | 50.6 | 5.1% | 28.2% | 15.1% | 1975 | $3,227 | 84.3% | 98.5% | 4.1% |
| Solana Beach | 2.28 | 50.4 | 6.2% | 31.9% | 11.6% | 1978 | $3,125 | 72.5% | 97.5% | 3.3% |
| Cardiff By The Sea | 2.56 | 42.6 | 4.6% | 38.5% | 12.0% | 1977 | $3,075 | 72.1% | 94.4% | 3.8% |
| Rancho Santa Fe | 2.69 | 49.0 | 8.3% | 11.1% | 24.0% | 1986 | $3,462 | 74.3% | 98.5% | 5.6% |
| Encinitas | 2.59 | 45.6 | 7.7% | 33.8% | 8.2% | 1982 | $2,941 | 67.3% | 96.0% | 4.5% |
| La Jolla | 2.21 | 38.6 | 5.0% | 40.8% | 10.1% | 1975 | $2,649 | 79.2% | 98.2% | 7.8% |
| Poway | 2.94 | 42.3 | 7.2% | 23.9% | 4.3% | 1980 | $2,738 | 54.3% | 94.3% | 5.2% |
| Santee | 2.81 | 40.5 | 7.8% | 27.7% | 4.2% | 1983 | $2,490 | 35.3% | 92.8% | 4.5% |
| Bostonia | 2.97 | 36.9 | 15.1% | 55.4% | 6.1% | 1975 | $2,300 | 22.8% | 88.8% | 8.4% |
| Lakeside | 3.04 | 39.7 | 12.3% | 31.2% | 5.6% | 1979 | $2,066 | 27.0% | 91.6% | 5.6% |
| El Cajon | 3.01 | 38.1 | 13.0% | 49.7% | 4.7% | 1975 | $2,021 | 25.0% | 85.2% | 9.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Yeadon, PA · Alma, MI · Amherst, NH · Yadkinville, NC · Norton, OH · Nanakuli, HI · Napoleon, OH · New Haven, MI · New Market, AL · New Prague, MN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Del Mar. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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