Population
3,282,248
2025
−0.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area: population growth, jobs and income
The San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area lost 5,294 residents between 2024 and 2025 (−0.2%).
The San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area had an estimated 3,282,248 residents in 2025, down 0.6% (18,862 fewer people) since 2020.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now.
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−23,876
2025
−7.3 per 1,000 residents
−133,070 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Unemployment rate
4.6%
2025
+1.4 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
11,707
2025
+1.2% since 2024
3.6 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$106,268
2020–24
+28.9% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
1,391,721
2023
+7.7% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net migration (IRS tax returns)
−18,212
2022–23
Source: IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data, 2022–23. People on tax returns moving in minus moving out, U.S. and abroad; the sum of the member counties (moves between them cancel out).
Population, migration, employment, permits, unemployment and income are the figures each agency publishes for the area itself (OMB Bulletin 23-01 delineation; ACS 2016-20 and CBP 2018 use the delineation of their year). IRS migration is the sum of the member counties.
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 23,876 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Private employers had 1,391,721 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +7.7% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Unemployment averaged 4.6% in 2025, 1.4 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 11,707 new homes in 2025, or 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $106,268 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +28.9% since 2016–20.
Population growth over five years ranks 18th of 25 California metro areas and 297th of 362 U.S. metro areas.
IRS tax-return data for 2022-2023 show a net loss of 18,212 people (the sum of its counties).
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How it ranks
| Measure | Among U.S. metro areas |
|---|---|
| Population growth | 297th of 362 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 342nd of 362 |
| Private-sector job growth | 103rd of 352 |
| Median household income | 11th of 362 |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 265th of 362 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 166th of 362 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment), against areas with a figure for the same period.
Fastest-growing metro areas in California · Fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.
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Counties in this metro area
| County | Role | Residents2025 | Share of residents2025 | Change2020–2025 | Share of the change2020–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego County, CA | Central | 3,282,248 | 100.0% | −18,862 (−0.6%) | 100% |
Census Bureau population estimates (July 1). Shares are of the member counties' total; a share of the change shows only when every county moved the same way. – means no figure for the common period.
Nearby and similar metro areas
Next to this metro area
Similar in size
Questions
Is the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area growing?
No. Its population fell 0.6% between 2020 and 2025, about 18,862 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates).
How many people moved to the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area?
On net, none in 2025: about 23,876 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the unemployment rate in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area?
It averaged 4.6% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
What is the population of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area?
About 3,282,248 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area?
Private employers there had 1,391,721 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +7.7% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
San Diego County data alerts
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
- IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.