Population 5,744 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Oceanside
Household size in South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.20 | 2.98 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 3.03 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.99 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.34 | 2.91 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.14 | −0.07 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in South Oceanside are small: just 2.34 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has climbed from 2.20 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Only one other Oceanside neighborhood has smaller 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 South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.3 | 35.5 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.7 | 35.7 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.7 | 37.3 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.8 | 38.5 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +3.1 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of South Oceanside is 42.8 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 41.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other Oceanside neighborhood is older.
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 South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 11.9% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 11.2% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.6% | 10.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 9.5% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.8% of households in South Oceanside, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Oceanside neighborhood has a lower share of single-parent households.
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 South Oceanside
Renters in South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.8% | 42.7% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 51.5% | 46.8% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 48.4% | 45.4% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 49.8% | 45.0% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in South Oceanside than nationally: 49.8% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 30.8% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the west; owners are most common in the north. The renter share has risen 3.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 9.0% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 8.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.0% | 7.6% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.7% of the housing in South Oceanside, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 2.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1983 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1983 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1963 | 1984 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1986 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +3 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
South Oceanside is a place of older homes: half were built before 1965, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the south. No other Oceanside neighborhood has older homes.
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 South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,118 | $1,489 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,572 | $1,599 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,798 | $2,002 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,502 | $2,580 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,383 | +$1,091 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in South Oceanside pays $2,502 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,383 a month from 2006–10, a 124% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 34.9% 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 southeast; 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 South Oceanside
Bachelor's degrees in South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.2% | 23.9% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.6% | 24.7% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 37.1% | 30.2% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 43.9% | 35.2% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +17.6 pts | +11.4 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in South Oceanside than nationally: 43.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 17.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Oceanside neighborhood has a higher share of college graduates.
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 South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.6% | 83.5% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.3% | 85.7% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.6% | 87.4% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 87.9% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in South Oceanside is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.2 points, mirroring the country. Only two of Oceanside's 11 neighborhoods have a higher 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 South Oceanside
| Period | South Oceanside | Oceanside | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 9.0% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 10.5% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 6.2% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 5.6% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −3.3 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in South Oceanside runs below the national rate: 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. No other Oceanside neighborhood has lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 4.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
South Oceanside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Oceanside | 2.34 | 42.8 | 4.8% | 49.8% | 14.7% | 1965 | $2,502 | 43.9% | 93.8% | 3.7% |
| Townsite | 2.40 | 40.1 | 7.2% | 72.6% | 19.9% | 1977 | $2,007 | 39.2% | 84.5% | 5.6% |
| Fire Mountain | 2.61 | 38.3 | 9.7% | 62.7% | 8.6% | 1978 | $2,172 | 33.6% | 88.3% | 7.0% |
| Downtown Carlsbad | 1.92 | 39.4 | 3.0% | 85.3% | 11.5% | 1979 | $2,119 | 39.1% | 89.3% | 9.8% |
| East Side Capistrano | 2.90 | 39.4 | 10.6% | 65.5% | 7.4% | 1983 | $2,206 | 28.1% | 79.3% | 8.4% |
| Ivey Ranch-Rancho del Oro | 2.51 | 37.1 | 9.2% | 47.7% | 6.5% | 1992 | $2,654 | 43.1% | 92.1% | 7.2% |
| San Luis Rey | 2.88 | 38.0 | 13.7% | 48.2% | 6.9% | 1987 | $2,523 | 28.5% | 85.4% | 4.6% |
| Lake | 2.33 | 50.5 | 4.8% | 40.0% | 8.0% | 1980 | $2,200 | 29.3% | 88.8% | 7.6% |
| Peacock | 2.75 | 34.3 | 13.2% | 64.0% | 2.1% | 1990 | $2,761 | 36.1% | 90.5% | 5.2% |
| North Valley San Diego | 3.54 | 35.7 | 15.0% | 31.4% | 4.0% | 1988 | $2,588 | 29.9% | 81.1% | 4.2% |
| Guajome | 3.09 | 38.6 | 11.7% | 20.3% | 4.9% | 1989 | $3,150 | 42.3% | 94.1% | 4.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Wooten, Austin, TX · Hillcrest, Brooklyn Park, MD · Hillandale, Silver Spring, MD · Hikes Point, Louisville, KY · Highlands Historic District, State College, PA · Academy Acres North, Albuquerque, NM · Tenney-Lapham, Madison, WI · Tradition, Port St. Lucie, FL · University Town Center, Irvine, CA · Upper Rockridge, Oakland, 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 South Oceanside. 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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