Population 16,555 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University Heights
Household size in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.73 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.84 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.86 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.76 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
University Heights is a place of small households, averaging 1.76 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 1.73 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
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 Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.5 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.1 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.6 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.5 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of University Heights is 38.5 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 37.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the east and 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 Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.0% of households in University Heights, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. University Heights has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of San Diego neighborhoods.
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 Heights
Renters in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.8% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 76.2% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 77.8% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 77.1% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in University Heights: 77.1% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. About a third of owners (34.2%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the southwest. The renter share is up 2.3 points from 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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in University Heights is close to the national rate: 8.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Compared with other San Diego neighborhoods, University Heights has a higher vacancy rate than most.
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 Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +12 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Housing in University Heights leans a little older: the median home dates to 1974, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1962 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the west has the oldest housing.
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 Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $992 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,140 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,418 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,044 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,052 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in University Heights pays $2,044 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the wider San Diego area ($2,468). Rents are up $1,052 a month from 2006–10, a 106% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 28.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Heights
Bachelor's degrees in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.9% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 51.9% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 57.0% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 60.2% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +15.3 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in University Heights: 60.2% 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 15.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.9% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.0% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.5% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.8% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in University Heights: 95.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Heights
| Period | University Heights | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in University Heights runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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 Heights 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 Heights | 1.76 | 38.5 | 5.0% | 77.1% | 8.3% | 1974 | $2,044 | 60.2% | 95.8% | 4.2% |
| North Park San Diego | 1.92 | 36.1 | 6.1% | 69.4% | 7.3% | 1965 | $2,128 | 58.7% | 95.3% | 5.7% |
| Hillcrest | 1.64 | 39.0 | 4.1% | 70.9% | 6.5% | 1980 | $2,251 | 63.5% | 97.6% | 4.4% |
| Mission Valley East | 1.86 | 36.9 | 2.0% | 75.7% | 8.7% | 1993 | $2,700 | 40.3% | 96.7% | 7.7% |
| Normal Heights | 1.95 | 37.6 | 7.3% | 69.6% | 4.6% | 1966 | $2,000 | 52.5% | 93.6% | 3.7% |
| Park West | 1.81 | 48.5 | 4.3% | 66.4% | 8.8% | 1968 | $2,143 | 60.1% | 94.4% | 3.8% |
| East San Diego | 2.50 | 34.9 | 12.7% | 78.0% | 8.0% | 1966 | $1,846 | 28.9% | 78.3% | 5.5% |
| Middletown | 1.75 | 45.3 | 4.4% | 59.6% | 13.2% | 1963 | $1,990 | 62.3% | 97.0% | 7.4% |
| Mission Hills-San Diego | 2.37 | 46.6 | 7.2% | 39.8% | 7.7% | 1958 | $2,641 | 69.7% | 94.8% | 4.4% |
| City Heights West | 3.01 | 34.1 | 18.3% | 72.3% | 6.0% | 1970 | $1,782 | 26.8% | 72.5% | 9.8% |
| Cortez Hill | 1.52 | 42.8 | 1.3% | 80.8% | 8.0% | 1983 | $1,975 | 61.4% | 93.5% | 4.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Group 14621, Rochester, NY · North Westminster, Westminster, CO · Lowell, La Habra, CA · Lea Hill, Auburn, WA · Langley Park, Hyattsville, MD · La Sierra South, Riverside, CA · Kuliouou-Kalani Iki, East Honolulu, HI · Heritage, San Antonio, TX · Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA · Ottawa, Toledo, OH
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 Heights. 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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