Population 305,485 · 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 Santa Ana: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Santa Ana
Household size in Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.54 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.61 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 4.50 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 4.01 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.53 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Santa Ana are large by national standards, averaging 4.01 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 4.54, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 21 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have larger 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 Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.5 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.5 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.4 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.2 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.7 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 35.2, Santa Ana is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 29.5, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the southwest.
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 Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.9% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.6% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in six households in Santa Ana (15.6%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 4.3 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 Santa Ana
Renters in Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.2% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 54.1% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 53.7% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.1% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Santa Ana rent: 55.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. More than a third of owners (36.0%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 4.8 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.4% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.3% of homes in Santa Ana are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.3 points, in line with the national trend. Santa Ana has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of California cities.
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 Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1966 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1967 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Santa Ana is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1967, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. That is in line with the rest of the Los Angeles area. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,317 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,378 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,662 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,154 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$837 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Santa Ana pays $2,154 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the Los Angeles area overall ($2,279). Rents are up $837 a month from 2006–10, a 64% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 33.1% 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 Santa Ana
Bachelor's degrees in Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.4% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Santa Ana: 17.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.7% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 53.4% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 58.7% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 66.4% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.8 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About a third of adults in Santa Ana never finished high school, well above the national share: only 66.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 15.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 66 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a lower 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 Santa Ana
| Period | Santa Ana | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.8%, unemployment in Santa Ana is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Los Angeles area overall (6.7%). Unemployment is down 4.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Santa Ana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana | 4.01 | 35.2 | 15.6% | 55.1% | 4.3% | 1967 | $2,154 | 17.4% | 66.4% | 4.8% |
| Tustin | 2.96 | 38.0 | 11.7% | 50.8% | 4.5% | 1981 | $2,636 | 46.3% | 87.6% | 5.6% |
| Fountain Valley | 3.03 | 45.2 | 9.0% | 36.2% | 3.7% | 1972 | $2,999 | 45.4% | 90.7% | 5.5% |
| Garden Grove | 3.54 | 40.8 | 12.8% | 46.9% | 4.3% | 1966 | $2,275 | 25.3% | 74.2% | 5.8% |
| Orange | 3.02 | 38.9 | 11.2% | 42.9% | 5.3% | 1975 | $2,602 | 40.3% | 88.1% | 4.5% |
| North Tustin | 2.86 | 48.1 | 4.7% | 7.7% | 4.1% | 1969 | $2,792 | 64.8% | 94.5% | 4.3% |
| Costa Mesa | 2.67 | 37.8 | 9.7% | 60.2% | 5.8% | 1972 | $2,596 | 44.9% | 88.0% | 4.6% |
| Midway City | 2.90 | 45.3 | 10.3% | 60.0% | 10.0% | 1973 | $1,827 | 24.9% | 75.0% | 7.6% |
| Westminster | 3.30 | 42.8 | 10.8% | 47.1% | 5.4% | 1970 | $2,401 | 26.0% | 77.6% | 6.4% |
| Anaheim | 3.33 | 37.5 | 13.8% | 53.2% | 6.2% | 1973 | $2,377 | 30.2% | 77.9% | 5.7% |
| Irvine | 2.84 | 35.3 | 9.0% | 56.1% | 9.6% | 2001 | $2,979 | 71.6% | 96.9% | 5.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Berkeley, CA · Antioch, TN · Battle Creek, MI · Alafaya, FL · Bayonne, NJ · Acworth, GA · Albuquerque, NM · Baltimore, MD · Alexandria, VA · Bellingham, WA
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 Santa Ana. 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.