| City: | San Marcos, California |
| City Alias: | Elfin Forest |
| County: | San Diego County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:23:39 PM |
| Population: | 52,347 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 760 / 442 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 33.1226, -117.1799 |
| Land Area: | 16.7 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 92078 has 52,347 residents and 17,975 households (average 2.78 persons per household). The median age is 39.1 years, slightly older than the state (37.5) and about the same as the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.3% male and 52.7% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.4%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (60.7%, much higher than the state average of 41.2%) and Hispanic or Latino (25.9%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 25.9%, which is much lower than the state average (39.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 52,347Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 53,542Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 53,061Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3,134.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $114,905Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 17,975Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $874,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.78Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.82Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 41,589 | 43,220 | 44,007 | 45,926 | 45,984 | 48,009 | 49,261 | 49,034 | 50,510 | 52,810 | 53,247 | 53,019 | 53,542 |
| Decennial Census | 42,906 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 52,347 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 39.1
Male Median Age: 37.8
Female Median Age: 40.4
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,377 | 1,796 | 2,018 | 1,999 | 1,887 | 1,187 | 1,289 | 1,589 | 1,750 | 1,885 | 1,596 | 1,342 | 1,269 | 1,110 | 1,017 | 683 | 472 | 519 |
| Female | 1,340 | 1,728 | 2,024 | 2,245 | 2,008 | 1,099 | 1,405 | 1,752 | 1,931 | 2,021 | 1,666 | 1,461 | 1,431 | 1,432 | 1,343 | 963 | 713 | 1,000 |
| Total | 2,717 | 3,524 | 4,042 | 4,244 | 3,895 | 2,286 | 2,694 | 3,341 | 3,681 | 3,906 | 3,262 | 2,803 | 2,700 | 2,542 | 2,360 | 1,646 | 1,185 | 1,519 |
| White: | 31,785 | 54.29% |
| Black: | 1,052 | 1.80% |
| Hispanic:* | 13,538 | 23.12% |
| Asian: | 5,697 | 9.73% |
| American Indian: | 391 | 0.67% |
| Hawaiian: | 93 | 0.16% |
| Other: | 5,989 | 10.23% |
| Total: | 58,545 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 24,785 | 47.35% | 37.8 years |
| Females: | 27,562 | 52.65% | 40.4 years |
| Total: | 52,347 | 100% | 39.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 42,845 | 80.02% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 728 | 1.36% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 6,351 | 11.86% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 3,618 | 18.62% |
| Total Population: | 53,542 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 43,573 | 81.38% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 9,969 | 18.62% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $114,905, which is much higher than the national median ($78,538), is up $56,538 (96.9%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $29,570. Family households earn a median of $145,753 versus $56,830 for nonfamily households (a difference of $88,923). By gender, male median income is $96,653 and female is $73,664, which is considerably higher than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $22,989 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 61.6%, which is a bit lower than the state rate (63.9%). The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is considerably lower than the state rate (6.4%). The largest occupation group is Management (52.0%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,367 | $56,695 | $54,441 | $55,530 | $59,778 | $65,686 | $74,094 | $79,673 | $85,335 | $91,564 | $97,908 | $107,894 | $114,905 |
| Median Family Income | $77,218 | $72,734 | $68,734 | $68,106 | $76,422 | $81,913 | $96,094 | $101,828 | $110,831 | $115,556 | $126,462 | $139,264 | $145,753 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $31,820 | $31,030 | $28,681 | $28,592 | $27,479 | $29,564 | $28,258 | $33,048 | $36,954 | $47,354 | $46,736 | $53,912 | $56,830 |
| Median Male Income | $60,507 | $58,673 | $59,161 | $56,710 | $60,487 | $67,433 | $74,272 | $77,349 | $80,159 | $84,481 | $87,581 | $93,913 | $96,653 |
| Median Female Income | $40,554 | $42,741 | $41,445 | $42,403 | $44,692 | $48,773 | $51,136 | $52,341 | $53,767 | $57,727 | $64,080 | $71,977 | $73,664 |
| Employed: | 24,227 | 58.59% |
| Unemployed: | 1,112 | 2.69% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 16,009 | 38.72% |
| Total: | 41,348 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 12,600 | 52.01% |
| Service: | 3,343 | 13.80% |
| Sales and Office: | 4,963 | 20.49% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,599 | 6.60% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 1,722 | 7.11% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 24,227 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $874,000, which is markedly greater than the national median ($303,400), is up $438,400 (100.64%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $301,900. The median gross rent is $2,468, which is markedly greater than the national median ($1,348), is up $1,027 (71.27%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $571. Of occupied housing, owners make up 71.33% (72.64% with a mortgage, 27.36% free-and-clear) and renters 28.67% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 4.79%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $435,600 | $394,300 | $369,700 | $384,600 | $411,200 | $432,600 | $478,700 | $524,100 | $572,100 | $614,500 | $665,300 | $787,600 | $874,000 |
| Less than $500: | 95 | 1.81% |
| $500 to $999: | 385 | 7.33% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 423 | 8.05% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 693 | 13.19% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 1,046 | 19.90% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 1,090 | 20.74% |
| $3,000 or more: | 1,420 | 27.02% |
| No Rent: | 103 | 1.96% |
| Total: | 5,255 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,441 | $1,478 | $1,456 | $1,445 | $1,459 | $1,575 | $1,661 | $1,802 | $1,897 | $1,985 | $2,112 | $2,274 | $2,468 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 9,495 | 51.81% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 3,577 | 19.52% |
| Renter Occupied: | 5,255 | 28.67% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 18,327 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 18,327 | 95.21% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 922 | 4.79% |
| Total Housing Units: | 19,249 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 12,866 | 66.84% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 4,150 | 21.56% |
| Other Units: | 2,233 | 11.60% |
| Total Housing Units: | 19,249 | 100% |
In 2023, 48.30% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.00%), well above both the state and national averages. High school or higher is 92.40%, which is markedly above the state rate (84.60%). The uninsured rate is 5.10%, which is falls below the national rate (8.60%). Public coverage is 28.20%, which is generally lower than the state rate (38.90%). The share of people in poverty is 5.10%, which is falls below the national rate (8.70%), down 0.30 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.30 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (40.68%). College enrollment is 30.39%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 1,460 | 4.14% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,205 | 3.42% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 4,511 | 12.79% |
| Some college, no degree: | 7,693 | 21.81% |
| Associate's degree: | 3,358 | 9.52% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 11,018 | 31.23% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 6,030 | 17.09% |
| Total: | 35,275 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 32,610 | 92.45% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 17,048 | 48.33% |
| Private Insurance: | 41,112 | 69.93% |
| Public Insurance: | 14,974 | 25.47% |
| No Insurance: | 2,706 | 4.60% |
| Total: | 58,792 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 56,086 | 95.40% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 5.4% | 9.8% | 10.7% | 12.1% | 9.6% | 11.0% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 5.4% | 6.4% | 4.8% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 736 | 4.73% |
| Kindergarten: | 881 | 5.66% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 6,332 | 40.68% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 2,886 | 18.54% |
| College or graduate school: | 4,731 | 30.39% |
| Total: | 15,566 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 1,617 | 10.39% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 10,099 | 64.88% |
ZIP Code 92078 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 1,458 business establishments, employing about 16,140 people with an annual payroll of $918,391,000. USPS data shows 19,087 residential mailboxes and 1,476 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 19,087Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1,476Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 20,792Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 5,149Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 2,510Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 1,458Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $218,239,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $918,391,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 16,140Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 92078 is located in San Diego County, California, within the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 41740) and California's 49th and 50th Congressional Districts. This Metro area has a population of 3,282,782 people, about 1.59% of whom live in ZIP Code 92078. It covers 16.7 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.123 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 41740Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 3,282,782Source: Census |
| MSA: | San Diego, CA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 16.7 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.123 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 49,50Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 553.08, 2787.35 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0668196Source: Census |
| Place Name: | San Marcos city; CaliforniaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 92078 is in the San Marcos Unified School District, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 11 public schools and 3 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.