Population 5,682 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University Commons
Household size in University Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 3.00 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.76 | 3.03 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.72 | 3.15 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.69 | 3.00 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.26 | −0.00 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in University Commons average 2.69 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is smaller than in San Marcos overall, where it has 3.00 people. Household size has climbed from 2.43 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.4 | 36.5 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.8 | 37.5 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.4 | 37.8 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.7 | 39.6 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −4.7 | +3.0 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of University Commons is 42.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has dropped from 47.4 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose.
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 Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 10.4% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 10.2% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 10.6% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | +0.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in University Commons (13.1%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 4.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Commons
Renters in University Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.7% | 33.9% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.2% | 39.0% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.1% | 35.0% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 40.0% | 34.9% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +11.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
About four in ten households in University Commons rent their homes (40.0%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 19.8% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 11.3 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 University Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 5.6% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 5.4% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 2.2% | 5.7% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.0 pts | +0.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in University Commons: just 2.2% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.0 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1994 | 1989 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1997 | 1989 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2002 | 1992 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2003 | 1993 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
University Commons has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2003, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1994 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 University Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,424 | $1,479 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,217 | $1,457 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,138 | $2,065 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,541 | $2,500 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,117 | +$1,020 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in University Commons runs $2,541 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,117 a month from 2006–10, a 78% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 37.2% of the typical renter's income, 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 University Commons
Bachelor's degrees in University Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.4% | 31.2% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.8% | 31.3% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.0% | 38.4% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 56.0% | 43.5% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +12.3 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in University Commons: 56.0% 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. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.6 points, 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 University Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.7% | 83.2% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.2% | 83.3% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.8% | 86.5% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.0% | 87.6% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in University Commons is above the national rate: 94.0% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has fallen 2.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
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 Commons
| Period | University Commons | San Marcos | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 8.0% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 7.6% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 3.9% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.0% | 4.7% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.7 pts | −3.4 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in University Commons has been strong: just 1.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.7 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
University Commons 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 Commons | 2.69 | 42.7 | 13.1% | 40.0% | 2.2% | 2003 | $2,541 | 56.0% | 94.0% | 1.0% |
| Vineyard | 2.36 | 48.0 | 7.6% | 41.1% | 4.4% | 1982 | $1,901 | 30.8% | 82.6% | 3.6% |
| Lake | 2.33 | 50.5 | 4.8% | 40.0% | 8.0% | 1980 | $2,200 | 29.3% | 88.8% | 7.6% |
| Felicita | 2.66 | 42.3 | 10.1% | 41.0% | 5.4% | 1985 | $2,407 | 42.9% | 88.9% | 4.0% |
| Central Escondido | 2.88 | 36.5 | 16.6% | 69.5% | 4.9% | 1978 | $1,980 | 22.1% | 71.1% | 4.5% |
| North Broadway | 2.87 | 38.3 | 7.8% | 36.7% | 5.2% | 1985 | $2,663 | 33.7% | 92.0% | 6.1% |
| Downtown Carlsbad | 1.92 | 39.4 | 3.0% | 85.3% | 11.5% | 1979 | $2,119 | 39.1% | 89.3% | 9.8% |
| Peacock | 2.75 | 34.3 | 13.2% | 64.0% | 2.1% | 1990 | $2,761 | 36.1% | 90.5% | 5.2% |
| Black Mountain Ranch | 3.08 | 41.7 | 6.4% | 17.8% | 4.4% | 2002 | $2,812 | 72.6% | 96.3% | 2.9% |
| Fire Mountain | 2.61 | 38.3 | 9.7% | 62.7% | 8.6% | 1978 | $2,172 | 33.6% | 88.3% | 7.0% |
| Ivey Ranch-Rancho del Oro | 2.51 | 37.1 | 9.2% | 47.7% | 6.5% | 1992 | $2,654 | 43.1% | 92.1% | 7.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Vernon Hill, Worcester, MA · Burbank, San Jose, CA · Camellia Gardens, Orlando, FL · Cedar Knolls, Bronxville, NY · Channelside, Tampa, FL · Chickasaw, Louisville, KY · Clemente Ranch, Chandler, AZ · West Central Jackson, Jackson, MS · Hedgeville, Wilmington, DE · Virginia Ave, Lexington, KY
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 Commons. 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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