Population 52,062 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University City
Household size in University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.32 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.38 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.26 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in University City are small: just 2.26 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 edged down from 2.32 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.0 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.4 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.4 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.6 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.4 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.6, University City is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has edged down from 34.0 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the northwest, the 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 University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.2% of households in University City, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points, in line with the national trend.
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 University City
Renters in University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.6% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 67.1% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.2% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 64.8% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in University City: 64.8% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 54.1% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the northeast; owners are most common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.2 points, 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 University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in University City: 7.5% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The San Diego area as a whole looks much the same.
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 University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in University City are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1983, versus 1980 nationally. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the southwest.
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 University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,696 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,691 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,146 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,653 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$957 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in University City costs $2,653 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $957 a month since 2006–10, up 56%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 34.3% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the southwest; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 University City
Bachelor's degrees in University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.4% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 71.9% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 73.5% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 76.0% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in University City: 76.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 4.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only four of San Diego's 81 neighborhoods 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 University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.8% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.9% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.2% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.9% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in University City: 96.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged down 0.9 points, even as the national rate rose. University City has a higher 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 University City
| Period | University City | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in University City is close to the national rate: 5.3% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the wider San Diego area (6.1%). Unemployment is down 1.6 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).
University City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University City | 2.26 | 33.6 | 5.2% | 64.8% | 7.5% | 1983 | $2,653 | 76.0% | 96.9% | 5.3% |
| La Jolla Village | 1.96 | 33.2 | 7.6% | 56.8% | 7.1% | 1979 | $3,048 | 83.3% | 98.1% | 9.3% |
| Torrey Pines | 2.09 | 23.4 | 4.7% | 51.7% | 4.6% | 1977 | $1,808 | 89.5% | 99.9% | 16.8% |
| North Clairemont | 2.58 | 42.1 | 8.8% | 38.4% | 4.7% | 1960 | $2,201 | 46.6% | 90.5% | 8.2% |
| Bay Ho | 2.55 | 39.6 | 12.9% | 45.5% | 4.0% | 1968 | $2,662 | 57.6% | 90.2% | 2.0% |
| Clairemont Mesa | 2.50 | 41.9 | 7.0% | 42.2% | 5.7% | 1968 | $2,481 | 49.6% | 91.9% | 4.2% |
| Sorrento Valley | 2.68 | 38.9 | 5.9% | 47.8% | 5.4% | 1994 | $3,272 | 70.9% | 94.2% | 4.5% |
| Pacific Beach | 2.05 | 35.2 | 5.2% | 68.4% | 9.9% | 1972 | $2,545 | 68.7% | 96.6% | 4.7% |
| Kearny Mesa | 2.06 | 37.2 | 4.8% | 65.8% | 8.5% | 2002 | $2,641 | 57.8% | 92.3% | 8.9% |
| Bay Park | 2.37 | 41.6 | 5.9% | 49.1% | 7.1% | 1964 | $2,701 | 61.5% | 95.9% | 2.9% |
| Miramar | 3.97 | 21.4 | 9.3% | 100.0% | 9.2% | 1994 | $3,501 | 33.4% | 98.1% | 5.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: West, Fresno, CA · Downtown Jersey City, Jersey City, NJ · Downtown Long Beach, Long Beach, CA · Downtown Memphis, Memphis, TN · Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco, CA · Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, CA · Flagami, Miami, FL · Fordham, Bronx, NY · West Columbus Interim, Hilliard, OH · Almaden Valley, San Jose, 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 University City. 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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