Population 51,987 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Encinitas
Household size in Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.63 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.60 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.59 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
At 2.59 people per household, Encinitas sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is smaller than in the wider San Diego area, where it has 2.86 people. Household size has crept up from 2.55 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.1 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.9 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.8 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.6 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.6, Encinitas 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 42.1, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the northeast and oldest in the southeast.
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 Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Encinitas: 7.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Encinitas has a lower share of single-parent households than most California cities.
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 Encinitas
Renters in Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.8% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 35.1% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 37.3% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 33.8% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Encinitas is about as common as it is nationally: 33.8% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a smaller share here than in the wider San Diego area (45.4%). Among homeowners, 38.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 1.0 points, 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 Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Encinitas is close to the national rate: 8.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.6 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Encinitas are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1982, versus 1980 nationally. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,656 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,717 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,210 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,941 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,285 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Encinitas pays $2,941 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,285 a month from 2006–10, a 78% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 33.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the northwest.
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 Encinitas
Bachelor's degrees in Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.5% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 56.4% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 62.9% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 67.3% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.8 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Encinitas is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (67.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 13.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Encinitas has a higher share of college graduates than at least four in five California cities.
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 Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.9% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.1% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.5% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.0% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Encinitas: 96.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.0 points, in line with the national trend. Encinitas has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five California cities.
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 Encinitas
| Period | Encinitas | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Encinitas runs below the national rate: 4.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Encinitas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encinitas | 2.59 | 45.6 | 7.7% | 33.8% | 8.2% | 1982 | $2,941 | 67.3% | 96.0% | 4.5% |
| Cardiff By The Sea | 2.56 | 42.6 | 4.6% | 38.5% | 12.0% | 1977 | $3,075 | 72.1% | 94.4% | 3.8% |
| Solana Beach | 2.28 | 50.4 | 6.2% | 31.9% | 11.6% | 1978 | $3,125 | 72.5% | 97.5% | 3.3% |
| Carlsbad | 2.65 | 43.7 | 7.0% | 36.8% | 8.0% | 1989 | $2,871 | 63.1% | 97.0% | 5.3% |
| Rancho Santa Fe | 2.69 | 49.0 | 8.3% | 11.1% | 24.0% | 1986 | $3,462 | 74.3% | 98.5% | 5.6% |
| Del Mar | 2.37 | 50.6 | 5.1% | 28.2% | 15.1% | 1975 | $3,227 | 84.3% | 98.5% | 4.1% |
| Sunny Vista | 2.78 | 40.2 | 10.3% | 34.6% | 6.1% | 1996 | $3,241 | 61.1% | 94.8% | 5.0% |
| San Marcos | 3.00 | 39.6 | 10.6% | 34.9% | 5.7% | 1993 | $2,500 | 43.5% | 87.6% | 4.7% |
| Vista | 3.10 | 37.2 | 13.7% | 44.7% | 5.3% | 1982 | $2,368 | 28.5% | 82.1% | 6.8% |
| Escondido | 2.99 | 39.4 | 11.8% | 40.9% | 4.8% | 1982 | $2,385 | 31.7% | 82.0% | 4.8% |
| Poway | 2.94 | 42.3 | 7.2% | 23.9% | 4.3% | 1980 | $2,738 | 54.3% | 94.3% | 5.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Greensburg, PA · Portage, MI · Olive Branch, MS · New Iberia, LA · New Bern, NC · Sebring, FL · Spanaway, WA · Spring Valley, NY · Stratford, CT · Greenwood, SC
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 Encinitas. 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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