Cities
This article provides a complete population-based list of the 18 cities in San Diego County. The table is arranged from the largest city to the smallest, making it easier to compare city populations, identify major population centers, and understand how residents are distributed among the county’s incorporated cities.
Largest Population Centers in the County
San Diego is the county’s largest city by a substantial margin, with an estimated population of 1,410,522. It is the only city in the county with more than one million residents and accounts for a significant share of the population living within incorporated city boundaries.
Chula Vista is the second-largest city, with 275,767 residents. Oceanside follows with a population of 169,666, while Escondido has 145,251 residents. Carlsbad, with 111,835 residents, completes the group of five cities with populations above 100,000.
Mid-Sized Cities Across San Diego County
Several cities fall between approximately 50,000 and 101,000 residents. El Cajon is the largest city in this range, with a population of 100,948. Vista and San Marcos are close in size, with populations of 98,294 and 95,057.
Encinitas, La Mesa, Santee, and National City each have populations between 56,000 and 61,000. Poway has 49,254 residents, placing it just below the 50,000 mark. These cities form an important part of the county’s overall population distribution without approaching the size of San Diego or Chula Vista.
Smaller Incorporated Cities
Lemon Grove is home to 27,957 residents, followed by Imperial Beach with 25,048 and Coronado with 20,573. Solana Beach has a population of 12,556. Del Mar is the county’s smallest incorporated city, with 3,842 residents.
Population size should not be confused with geographic area. A city with fewer residents may still cover a substantial area, while a more densely developed city may place a larger population within a comparatively compact boundary.
San Diego County Cities by Population
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| San Diego | 1,410,522 |
| Chula Vista | 275,767 |
| Oceanside | 169,666 |
| Escondido | 145,251 |
| Carlsbad | 111,835 |
| El Cajon | 100,948 |
| Vista | 98,294 |
| San Marcos | 95,057 |
| Encinitas | 60,487 |
| La Mesa | 59,754 |
| Santee | 57,953 |
| National City | 56,971 |
| Poway | 49,254 |
| Lemon Grove | 27,957 |
| Imperial Beach | 25,048 |
| Coronado | 20,573 |
| Solana Beach | 12,556 |
| Del Mar | 3,842 |
Understanding the Population List
The population figures provide a practical way to compare the county’s incorporated cities. The difference between the largest and smallest cities is considerable: San Diego has more than 1.4 million residents, while Del Mar has fewer than 4,000. Chula Vista stands well above the remaining cities outside San Diego, while Oceanside and Escondido serve as the next-largest population centers.
This city list applies specifically to incorporated municipalities. San Diego County also contains communities and neighborhoods that may be commonly used in mailing addresses or local descriptions but are not separate incorporated cities. Checking the official city name can help residents identify the appropriate local government when searching for city services, public records, permits, municipal departments, or community information.