Population 116,581 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Vista
Household size in Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.18 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.14 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.32 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.10 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Vista are large by national standards, averaging 3.10 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has edged down from 3.18 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 Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.7 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.1 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.2 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.7 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Vista is 37.2 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.5, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the south.
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 Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are more common in Vista than nationally: 13.7%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.0 points, as it has nationally.
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 Vista
Renters in Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.6% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 47.3% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 48.1% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 44.7% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
More than four in ten households in Vista rent their homes (44.7%), above the national share of 34.8%. About three in ten owners (30.9%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.1 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 5.3% of homes in Vista are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 2.4 points since 2006–10, 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 Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Vista are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1982, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the east 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 Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,281 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,310 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,705 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,368 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,087 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Vista costs $2,368 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,087 a month from 2006–10, an 85% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 35.3% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the east 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 Vista
Bachelor's degrees in Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.5% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.3% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.5% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Vista than nationally: 28.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the north.
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 Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.2% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.7% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.1% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.1% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Vista never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 6.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Vista
| Period | Vista | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Vista: 6.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 1.5 points, 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).
Vista 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vista | 3.10 | 37.2 | 13.7% | 44.7% | 5.3% | 1982 | $2,368 | 28.5% | 82.1% | 6.8% |
| Sunny Vista | 2.78 | 40.2 | 10.3% | 34.6% | 6.1% | 1996 | $3,241 | 61.1% | 94.8% | 5.0% |
| Oceanside | 2.91 | 38.5 | 9.5% | 45.0% | 7.1% | 1986 | $2,580 | 35.2% | 87.9% | 5.6% |
| San Marcos | 3.00 | 39.6 | 10.6% | 34.9% | 5.7% | 1993 | $2,500 | 43.5% | 87.6% | 4.7% |
| Carlsbad | 2.65 | 43.7 | 7.0% | 36.8% | 8.0% | 1989 | $2,871 | 63.1% | 97.0% | 5.3% |
| Bonsall | 2.64 | 48.4 | 10.5% | 25.6% | 5.4% | 1992 | $2,392 | 45.9% | 90.3% | 5.0% |
| Chappo | 3.12 | 21.7 | 1.5% | 99.0% | 7.4% | 2000 | $3,018 | 29.0% | 99.5% | 10.9% |
| Encinitas | 2.59 | 45.6 | 7.7% | 33.8% | 8.2% | 1982 | $2,941 | 67.3% | 96.0% | 4.5% |
| Escondido | 2.99 | 39.4 | 11.8% | 40.9% | 4.8% | 1982 | $2,385 | 31.7% | 82.0% | 4.8% |
| Cardiff By The Sea | 2.56 | 42.6 | 4.6% | 38.5% | 12.0% | 1977 | $3,075 | 72.1% | 94.4% | 3.8% |
| Valley Center | 3.24 | 43.6 | 8.8% | 11.6% | 9.3% | 1988 | $2,172 | 32.9% | 88.1% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Volcano, CA · Warner Robins, GA · Verna, FL · Warner Springs, CA · Valley Falls, NY · Watsonville, CA · Volga, KY · Wattensaw, AR · Wallback, WV · Waipahu, HI
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 Vista. 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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