Population 60,457 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of National City: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in National City
Household size in National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.36 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.60 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.43 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.13 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in National City are large by national standards, averaging 3.13 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.36, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.4 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.0 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.3 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.4 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.0 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
National City is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.4, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 33.4 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the northeast.
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 National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.0% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.6% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in National City: 18.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. National City has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of 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 National City
Renters in National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.9% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 66.1% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 63.8% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 64.2% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in National City rent: 64.2% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 45.7% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 28 have a higher share of renters.
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 National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in National City: 8.0% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The San Diego area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy is down 1.5 points from 2006–10, as it has 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 National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1966 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
National City is a place of older homes: half were built before 1968, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1962 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $980 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,094 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,280 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,771 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$791 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in National City runs $1,771 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the San Diego area as a whole ($2,468). Rent has climbed $791 a month since 2006–10, up 81%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 37.1% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 National City
Bachelor's degrees in National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.1% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in National City: 17.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.5 points, as it has nationally.
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 National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.2% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 70.0% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 74.0% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 76.8% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.6 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
23.2% of adults in National City never finished high school, well above the national share: only 76.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 11.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 National City
| Period | National City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in National City: 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 4.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
National City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National City | 3.13 | 37.4 | 18.8% | 64.2% | 8.0% | 1968 | $1,771 | 17.1% | 76.8% | 6.2% |
| Bonita | 3.02 | 44.6 | 9.2% | 22.0% | 3.0% | 1979 | $2,075 | 41.9% | 91.4% | 5.6% |
| Chula Vista | 3.30 | 38.0 | 14.1% | 40.9% | 6.3% | 1986 | $2,572 | 33.3% | 86.4% | 7.6% |
| Coronado | 2.46 | 42.8 | 14.1% | 45.4% | 20.1% | 1971 | $3,107 | 59.5% | 98.1% | 6.8% |
| Lemon Grove | 3.25 | 36.6 | 12.8% | 46.9% | 4.7% | 1966 | $2,290 | 20.1% | 89.0% | 6.1% |
| La Presa | 3.22 | 37.4 | 11.6% | 33.3% | 4.9% | 1975 | $2,048 | 25.3% | 85.5% | 7.6% |
| Imperial Beach | 2.73 | 37.0 | 17.0% | 68.6% | 8.7% | 1972 | $2,132 | 25.6% | 88.2% | 7.8% |
| Spring Valley | 3.18 | 39.1 | 12.5% | 38.5% | 3.8% | 1977 | $2,209 | 31.4% | 90.7% | 9.7% |
| La Mesa | 2.47 | 38.3 | 9.8% | 51.1% | 5.8% | 1968 | $2,134 | 40.9% | 94.6% | 6.1% |
| San Ysidro | 3.46 | 37.2 | 16.8% | 62.5% | 7.1% | 1984 | $1,812 | 11.7% | 65.4% | 11.1% |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix | 2.80 | 45.6 | 12.6% | 22.8% | 5.9% | 1968 | $2,402 | 49.7% | 94.8% | 5.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Bentonville, AR · Coconut Creek, FL · Elyria, OH · Florence, AL · St. Clair Shores, MI · Medford, MA · Altoona, PA · Mishawaka, IN · Monroe, NC · Murray, UT
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 National City. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.