ZIP Code 92021: Population, Income, Housing

State: CA
Total population: 70,501 Household income: $74,013 Rent: $1,893

Overview

Total population
70,501
Rent
$1,893
Year built
1977
Household income
$74,013
Per capita income
$35,192
Poverty rate
18.5%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Household size
3.0 persons
Rent over 30% of income
64%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
California
County
San Diego County
City
El Cajon
Total population
70,501
Adults over 25
46,708
Total households
22,953
Household size
3.0 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$74,013
Per capita income
$35,192
Poverty rate
18.5%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Rent over 30% of income
64%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,893
Year built
1977
Households that rent
46.2%
Households that own
53.8%
Rooms per home (all homes)
4.9

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
56.8%
Black
6%
Asian
5.1%
Two or more races
17.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
31.2%
Not Hispanic or Latino
68.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
27,232 (89.7%)
Commute time to work
26 mins
Work from home
3,116 (10.3%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
39.2%
High school graduate or GED
28.5%
Some college or associate degree
9.9%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
22.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of ZIP Code 92021 with: San Diego County, CA San Diego metro area, CA California United States

ZIP 92021

Total population70,501
Rent$1,893
Year built1977
Household income$74,013
Per capita income$35,192
Poverty rate18.5%
Unemployment rateN/A

San Diego County, CA

Total population3,288,774
Rent$2,246
Year built1980
Household income$106,268
Per capita income$51,976
Poverty rate10.3%
Unemployment rate4.2%

San Diego Metro Area, CA

Total population3,288,774
Rent$2,246
Year built1980
Household income$106,268
Per capita income$51,976
Poverty rate10.3%
Unemployment rate4.3%

California State

Total population39,287,377
Rent$2,036
Year built1976
Household income$99,122
Per capita income$49,513
Poverty rate12%
Unemployment rate5.3%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric ZIP92021 CountySan Diego, CAMetro AreaSan Diego metro area, CAStateCaliforniaCountryUnited States
Total population70,5013,288,7743,288,77439,287,377334,922,499
Rent$1,893$2,246$2,246$2,036$1,413
Year built19771980198019761980
Household income$74,013$106,268$106,268$99,122$80,734
Per capita income$35,192$51,976$51,976$49,513$44,673
Poverty rate18.5%10.3%10.3%12%12.5%
Unemployment rateN/A4.2%4.3%5.3%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for 92021

Rent & Income

In 92021, the typical monthly rent is $1,893 and the typical household income is $74,013. Rent here is lower than California, and household income is lower than California. The estimated poverty rate is 18.5%.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 46.2% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 64% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 22.4% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

 

ZIP 92021 — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

ZIP 92021 — Poverty

 

 

How ZIP 92021 compares in California (613 ZIP Codes)

Metric This ZIP Rank Starts from State range
Rent $1,893 225 / 613 from lower rent $1,054 – $3,501
Household income $74,013 490 / 613 from higher income $35,378 – $250,001
Poverty rate 18.5% 521 / 613 from lower poverty 2.2% – 39.6%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in California with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

 

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 92021

Rent

In terms of rental prices, this ZIP stands 225th out of 613 ZIP Codes in California. Across California, figures vary from $1,054 in ZIP 92243 up to $3,501 in ZIP 90275.

Household income

When comparing household incomes, ZIP Code 92021 stands 490th out of 613 ZIP Codes. Throughout California, numbers span from $35,378 in ZIP 90007 up to $250,001 in ZIP 95070.

Poverty rate

Looking at poverty indicators, this ZIP stands 521st out of 613 ZIP Codes. At the state level, values extend from 2.2% in ZIP 95120 up to 39.6% in ZIP 90007.

 

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 92021 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,893 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 92021

Annual Household Income: $74,013

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 92021

Estimated Rate: 18.5%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 92021

In ZIP Code 92021, households that rent: 10,608 (46.2%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 10,608 46.2%
Owner-Occupied 12,345 53.8%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 92021

In ZIP Code 92021, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 6,790 (64%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 6,790 64%
Other renter households 3,818 36%
Total renter households 10,608 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 92021

Less than High School: 18,301 people (39.2%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 13,327 people (28.5%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 4,637 people (9.9%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 10,443 people (22.4%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 46,708

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.