Population 13,333 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Otay Mesa West
Household size in Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.80 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.01 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.97 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.56 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Otay Mesa West are large by national standards, averaging 3.56 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 3.80, 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 Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.9 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.5 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.6 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.2 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.6, Otay Mesa West is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 36.5 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the northeast and oldest in the west.
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 Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in twelve households in Otay Mesa West (9.0%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 5.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Otay Mesa West
Renters in Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.3% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.7% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.7% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.1% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Otay Mesa West own their homes; 27.1% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 37.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the south and least common in the northwest. The renter share has fallen 2.2 points since 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 Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.9% of homes in Otay Mesa West are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1973 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1973 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Otay Mesa West run older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1973 against 1980.
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 Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,217 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,245 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,668 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,237 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,020 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Otay Mesa West costs $2,237 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the San Diego area overall ($2,468). Rent has climbed $1,020 a month since 2006–10, up 84%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 35.2% 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 Otay Mesa West
Bachelor's degrees in Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.6% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.1% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.6% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Otay Mesa West have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.6%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 4.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few San Diego neighborhoods have a lower share of college graduates: only six of 81.
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 Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 68.0% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 66.7% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 74.9% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 77.9% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than one in five adults in Otay Mesa West never finished high school, well above the national share: only 77.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.8 points, mirroring the country. Otay Mesa West has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of San Diego neighborhoods.
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 Otay Mesa West
| Period | Otay Mesa West | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Otay Mesa West: 8.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Otay Mesa West has higher unemployment than the great majority of San Diego neighborhoods. 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).
Otay Mesa West compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otay Mesa West | 3.56 | 44.6 | 9.0% | 27.1% | 4.9% | 1973 | $2,237 | 16.6% | 77.9% | 8.6% |
| Palm City | 3.40 | 39.2 | 11.4% | 34.2% | 13.7% | 1975 | $2,528 | 15.8% | 77.9% | 6.5% |
| Nestor | 3.60 | 33.1 | 19.3% | 58.0% | 9.1% | 1980 | $2,189 | 18.9% | 71.8% | 11.2% |
| Egger Highlands | 2.93 | 35.7 | 15.7% | 59.3% | 6.7% | 1975 | $2,089 | 16.6% | 81.5% | 8.5% |
| Sunbow | 3.30 | 42.0 | 4.7% | 39.9% | 8.6% | 1996 | $2,892 | 41.7% | 91.4% | 4.7% |
| Boal | 3.10 | 36.8 | 13.8% | 52.1% | 13.2% | 1965 | $1,953 | 15.1% | 76.2% | 13.4% |
| Lynwood Hills | 3.06 | 39.7 | 9.6% | 24.6% | 6.8% | 1977 | $2,659 | 32.3% | 88.7% | 3.8% |
| Mission Bay | 3.03 | 37.7 | 10.9% | 48.9% | 11.5% | 1988 | $2,528 | 36.8% | 87.4% | 6.4% |
| Terra Nova | 2.99 | 42.6 | 7.2% | 31.7% | 3.8% | 1980 | $3,175 | 33.3% | 90.5% | 9.1% |
| Paseo Ranchoero | 2.94 | 42.9 | 12.3% | 10.9% | 3.7% | 1988 | $3,125 | 40.5% | 88.8% | 5.2% |
| Downtown Chula Vista | 2.68 | 37.7 | 17.0% | 73.8% | 7.2% | 1969 | $1,755 | 15.0% | 75.8% | 9.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Seacliff, San Francisco, CA · Hyde Park, Cincinnati, OH · Iron Triangle, Richmond, CA · Jacksonville Heights, Jacksonville, FL · Jamestown, Hephzibah, GA · Jenkins-Pinecroft, Shreveport, LA · Lake Hills, Bellevue, WA · Lincoln Park, San Diego, CA · Mid-City, New Orleans, LA · Normal Heights, San Diego, CA
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 Otay Mesa West. 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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