Population 59,954 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Santee
Household size in Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.80 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.84 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.93 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.81 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Santee average 2.81 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here. That is in line with the rest of the San Diego area. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the southwest.
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 Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.5 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.5 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.5 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.5 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
At 40.5, the median age in Santee is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is older than in the San Diego area overall, where the median age is 39.0. The median age has climbed from 38.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Santee: 7.8% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 3.2 points from 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 Santee
Renters in Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.1% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.0% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.2% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.7% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Santee own their homes; 27.7% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Nearly three in ten owners (28.2%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the south and least common in the northwest. The renter share has edged up 0.6 points since 2006–10, as it has 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 Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.1% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Santee: just 4.2% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Santee 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 Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Santee was built around 1983, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1975 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 Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,349 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,494 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,902 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,490 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,141 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Santee runs $2,490 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,141 a month since 2006–10, up 85%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 36.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southwest; the highest are in the north.
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 Santee
Bachelor's degrees in Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.6% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.3% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.4% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.3% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +14.7 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Santee (35.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the San Diego area overall (42.8%). The share with a degree is up 14.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.6% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.7% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.9% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.8% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Santee is above the national rate: 92.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 4.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Santee
| Period | Santee | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Santee runs below the national rate: 4.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Santee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| La Mesa | 2.47 | 38.3 | 9.8% | 51.1% | 5.8% | 1968 | $2,134 | 40.9% | 94.6% | 6.1% |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix | 2.80 | 45.6 | 12.6% | 22.8% | 5.9% | 1968 | $2,402 | 49.7% | 94.8% | 5.2% |
| Rancho San Diego | 2.88 | 45.8 | 4.7% | 25.2% | 6.2% | 1984 | $2,573 | 43.9% | 93.4% | 8.0% |
| Morena | 3.18 | 45.3 | 8.5% | 10.6% | 4.4% | 1987 | $1,630 | 22.5% | 87.6% | 7.4% |
| Spring Valley | 3.18 | 39.1 | 12.5% | 38.5% | 3.8% | 1977 | $2,209 | 31.4% | 90.7% | 9.7% |
| Lemon Grove | 3.25 | 36.6 | 12.8% | 46.9% | 4.7% | 1966 | $2,290 | 20.1% | 89.0% | 6.1% |
| San Diego area | 2.86 | 39.0 | 10.4% | 45.4% | 7.1% | 1981 | $2,468 | 42.8% | 89.0% | 6.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: San Gabriel, CA · Lebanon, TN · Leesburg, FL · Lenexa, KS · Levittown, PA · Blue Springs, MO · Pontiac, MI · Reseda, CA · Revere, MA · Richland, 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 Santee. 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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