Population 25,845 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Pasadena
Household size in South Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.44 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.51 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.61 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.57 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.13 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in South Pasadena has 2.57 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.44 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated 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 South Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.0 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.6 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.2 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.1 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in South Pasadena are younger than 41.1 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is older than in the Los Angeles area as a whole, where the median age is 39.5. The median age has climbed from 38.0 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in South Pasadena: 8.6% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 0.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Pasadena
Renters in South Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.7% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.9% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.1% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.8% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in South Pasadena: 55.8% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. About three in ten owners (30.1%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 67 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 South Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in South Pasadena than nationally: 7.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The Los Angeles area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy has risen 1.9 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 Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1950 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1951 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1952 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1952 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in South Pasadena is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1952, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the southeast. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only seven have 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 Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,393 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,459 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,890 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,460 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,067 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in South Pasadena runs $2,460 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,067 a month since 2006–10, up 77%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 29.4% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the center.
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 Pasadena
Bachelor's degrees in South Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 64.2% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 60.4% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.3% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 73.4% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.2 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
South Pasadena is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (73.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.2 points, mirroring the country. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 38 have 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 Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.0% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.0% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.1% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.9% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in South Pasadena: 96.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 0.9 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. South Pasadena has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of California cities.
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 Pasadena
| Period | South Pasadena | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in South Pasadena is the same as the national rate. The rate is lower than in the wider Los Angeles area (6.7%). 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).
South Pasadena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Pasadena | 2.57 | 41.1 | 8.6% | 55.8% | 7.8% | 1952 | $2,460 | 73.4% | 96.9% | 5.4% |
| Alhambra | 2.69 | 42.6 | 9.5% | 58.9% | 7.7% | 1961 | $1,995 | 41.3% | 84.1% | 5.3% |
| San Marino | 3.08 | 46.7 | 7.8% | 19.6% | 13.7% | 1947 | $3,424 | 83.5% | 97.3% | 5.9% |
| Pasadena | 2.42 | 41.9 | 9.0% | 56.5% | 9.2% | 1960 | $2,366 | 55.7% | 89.8% | 5.5% |
| San Gabriel | 3.03 | 43.9 | 11.8% | 48.4% | 8.9% | 1960 | $2,133 | 38.9% | 82.9% | 6.2% |
| Monterey Park | 2.89 | 46.8 | 7.8% | 48.4% | 8.1% | 1965 | $2,011 | 36.7% | 79.4% | 6.4% |
| East Pasadena | 2.65 | 44.6 | 7.1% | 27.7% | 11.9% | 1951 | $2,180 | 58.6% | 89.7% | 4.3% |
| Rosemead | 3.45 | 45.1 | 11.3% | 51.1% | 6.7% | 1961 | $1,922 | 21.3% | 67.5% | 6.0% |
| Altadena | 2.79 | 46.6 | 10.5% | 20.2% | 6.4% | 1945 | $2,724 | 53.3% | 92.3% | 7.2% |
| East Los Angeles | 3.75 | 35.5 | 21.7% | 66.4% | 6.6% | 1951 | $1,544 | 11.4% | 55.5% | 7.0% |
| Temple City | 3.09 | 43.5 | 8.8% | 37.6% | 5.6% | 1962 | $2,373 | 41.9% | 85.7% | 6.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Hartsville, SC · Stillwater, MN · Stephenville, TX · Springfield, PA · Springboro, OH · South Windsor, CT · South Laurel, MD · Soledad, CA · Sebastopol, CA · Sebastian, FL
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 Pasadena. 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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