Cuyamaca College, 2000
Rancho San Diego’s story
Rancho San Diego in pictures
Census counts: 6,977 in 1990, 21,858 in 2020. The archive holds 5 old photos and papers going back to 2000 and 4 maps from 1943 on.
Explore the history →
Rancho San DiegoCA
A town of 21,272 in California.
6 bordering townsMap →
Photo: RightCowLeftCoast · CC BY 4.0
Population
21,272
Census survey, 2020–24
Median home value
$905K
Census ACS
Household income
$119K
median
Median age
44.2
years
Jobs based here
4,301
A commuter town
TownGrade
C
#369 of 841 in CA
What should you know before moving to Rancho San Diego?
Real strengths, and real weak spots. Cost of living is its weak spot: the typical home is worth about $905K, 8.5 years of the San Diego metro’s $106K median household income. Rancho San Diego grades C overall, better than 31% of U.S. towns. The ranking puts it 369th of 841 in California. It also trails on hazard risk — FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 67% of U.S. communities, with inland flooding at the top. Health is its strong suit (A): it is healthier than 85% of U.S. towns. Add incomes to its strengths: the median household earns $119K. The town is home to Cuyamaca College.
Figures: health, CDC PLACES · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24 · home values, Zillow · FEMA National Risk Index.
What makes Rancho San Diego stand out
Where Rancho San Diego beats most towns.
College town
Cuyamaca College calls Rancho San Diego home
College Scorecard · IPEDS
How Rancho San Diego grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Rancho San Diego is from typical.
Cost of livingGraded on home prices against local incomesD−Open →HealthGrossmont Hospital 5.3 miles awayAOpen →Hazard riskInland flooding tops the listC−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.8 of 20; 4.9% of households have no car; 1.8% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB+Open →Jobs & incomeIncomes and work beat most townsB+Open →SchoolsWeaker than most of the towns comparedC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors4 miles of trails; 14% conserved landB+Open →HistoryBased on listed places, the town’s age and notable peopleDOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 70 attractions →Mexico–United States border wall and 64 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Rancho San Diego. Close and well known come first.
Big draw20 mi LandmarkMexico–United States border wall
Big draw12 mi Stadium & arenaSnapdragon Stadium
14 mi Stadium & arenaPetco Park
14 mi Zoo & aquariumSan Diego Zoo4.0M visitors a year
13 mi Park & preserveBalboa Park
18 mi Theme parkSeaWorld San Diego4.0M visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Mexico–United States border wall: Földhegy, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Snapdragon Stadium: Terrible Tim, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Petco Park: Mds08011, CC BY 4.0 · San Diego Zoo: en:User:Cburnett, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Balboa Park: Antoine Taveneaux, CC BY-SA 3.0 · SeaWorld San Diego: ZooFari, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Getting set up
Moving to Rancho San Diego: who provides what
Rancho San Diego is unincorporated, so San Diego County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerSDG&E45.8¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterOtay Water DistrictNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers98% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesSan Diego CountySan Diego County provides services here
SchoolsGrossmont Union High School DistrictCajon Valley Union Elementary School District2 districts serve Rancho San Diego; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereSan Diego Registrar of VotersSan Diego County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2025
ZIP codes92019, 91941, 9202092019 88% · 91941 9% · 92020 3%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Rancho San Diego.
Rancho San Diego has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns and owes part of its health edge to its incomes.
HealthA
Rancho San Diego earns an A for health
Against the 5,924 U.S. towns with household incomes like Rancho San Diego’s, it is healthier than 69%, a smaller edge than it has nationally: part of it comes with its incomes.
The share of adults in Rancho San Diego who have diabetes: 9.7%, and 25% of adults have obesity here, below both California’s towns (29%) and U.S. towns (35%). CDC measures, 32 in all: Rancho San Diego beats California on 13 and trails on 3. Among adults in the town, 18% get no exercise outside work and 32% sleep under 7 hours.
85%healthier than U.S. townsAHealth Grade
| Rancho San Diego | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 25% | 29% | 35% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 24% | 25% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 35% | 36% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 75% | 72% | 79% |
32 measures vs. California
13 better16 too close to call3 worse
| What stands out | Rancho San Diego | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 5.8% | 10.6% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 11.1% | 17.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 9.4% | 6.4% |
Grossmont Hospital
5.3 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
77th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
SchoolsC+
Rancho San Diego’s schools rank behind 60% of California districts
The largest public high school is Valhalla High, with 1,728 students. Public schools: the Cajon Valley Union school district. Below: Two of its 5 schools, each with why it was picked.
40%of CA districts it outscoresC+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 1,481 | D− |
| Valhalla HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,728 | A |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
With only 0.5 jobs per working resident, most people in Rancho San Diego work out of town
The top destinations are San Diego (41%), El Cajon (12%) and Chula Vista (4%). Jobs in Rancho San Diego grew by 627 from 2013 to 2023, reaching 4,301. The town’s mean commuting time comes in at 28 minutes. 4.2% of working residents work locally here, below both the California town median (6.6%) and the median of U.S. towns (8%).
4%work in town
| Rancho San Diego | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $119,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 4.2% | 6.6% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Rancho San Diego4%
San Diego41%
El Cajon12%
Chula Vista4%
La Mesa4%
13 mi
median commute distance
4,301
jobs based in Rancho San Diego
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 66% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
Expect mild winters and hot summers in Rancho San Diego
January nights average 42.7°, milder than in 96% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 86°.
For Rancho San Diego, the January low is 43°F. It almost never snows.
89°summer high
| Rancho San Diego | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 43°F | 40°F | 22°F |
| July high | 86°F | 89°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter43–69°
Spring50–74°
Summer61–85°
Fall54–81°
+2.2°
vs. the 20th-century average
89°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C−
Rancho San Diego faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected losses in Rancho San Diego break down as 78% from inland flooding and 10% from earthquakes. Paid flood insurance claims here since 1985: 4.
67risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingEarthquakesWildfire
4
paid flood claims since 1985
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
OutdoorsB+
Rancho San Diego keeps 14.3% of its land conserved
The biggest park or preserve is San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, at 65 acres. Trails run 4.4 miles in 5 parks and preserves. The trail density in Rancho San Diego is 0.5 miles per square mile.
#533for trails in CA
14.3%
conserved · 794 of 5,544 acres
4.4 mi
of trails · 0.5 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Damon Lane County Park | 1.1 mi | 55 |
| 2. Hilton Head Park | 0.8 mi | 10 |
| 3. San Diego National Wildlife Refuge | 0.2 mi | 65 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Who lives here
Older than California overall
For residents in Rancho San Diego, the share who are 65 or older is 23%. 46% of adults 25 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree, against 37% across California. The town’s median age is 44.2 years.
44.2median age · CA 37.9
| Rancho San Diego | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 46% | 29% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 23% | 16% | 18% |
| Median age | 44.2 years | 39 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 21% | 22% | 22% |
Rancho San DiegoCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
15%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma7%
High school16%
Some college22%
Associate’s10%
Bachelor’s28%
Graduate18%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.7 points. Across California, 50.1% of residents are women.
| Rancho San Diego | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 11.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.3% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.5% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 9.5% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.5% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 11.5% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 14.9% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 14.2% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 8.5% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 6.8% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 15.7% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 22.1% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 9.8% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 28.2% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 17.5% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HousingCost of living grade D−
Homes in Rancho San Diego sell for about $940K
In Rancho San Diego, 75% of households live in a home they own. The typical rent for Rancho San Diego comes to $2,618 a month. Homes sold in Rancho San Diego spent a median 17 days on the market.
$940Kmedian sale price
| Rancho San Diego | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,618 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 75% | 64% | 73% |
Market temperature
17
days on market
99.7%
sale-to-list price
15
homes sold in September
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Rancho San Diego
17pages on Rancho San Diego
The big questions
Out and about
The story
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
22 within 15 miles of the center of Rancho San Diego
Cuyamaca CollegeCommunity college · Public · Rancho San DiegoIn town$1,346 in-state tuitionSouthern California SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · El Cajon2.7 mi$19,080 tuitionSan Diego State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · San Diego8.8 mi$8,728 in-state tuition
About 7 of every 100 Rancho San Diego residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California.
A commuter town
96% of working residents leave Rancho San Diego for work
Where Rancho San Diego’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
4,301jobs based in Rancho San Diego
4%of working residents work in town
13 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Rancho San Diego
Census designated place in California, United States
Rancho San Diego is a census-designated place (CDP) in the East County region of San Diego County, California. The population was 21,858 at the 2020 census, up from 21,208 at the 2010 census. The area was developed as subdivisions beginning in the 1970s.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 8.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 361 ft
- Area code
- 619
Rancho San Diego’s neighbors
6 towns share a border with Rancho San Diego.
El CajonCasa de Oro-Mount HelixJamulSpring ValleyGranite HillsCrestRancho San Diego
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho San Diego | #369 | C | D− | — | C+ | A |
| El Cajon | #644 | D | D | C− | C+ | C+ |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix | #157 | B | D | — | B− | A |
| Jamul | #391 | C | D− | — | C+ | A |
| Spring Valley | #348 | C | D− | — | B− | B+ |
| Granite Hills | #554 | D | D− | — | C+ | B+ |
| Crest | #402 | C | C | — | C+ | B+ |
Rancho San Diego, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, Jamul, Spring Valley, Granite Hills and Crest report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Rancho San Diego with a neighbor →
Questions about Rancho San Diego
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Rancho San Diego, CA a good place to live?
Rancho San Diego grades C overall, better than 31% of U.S. towns and #369 of 841 in California. It grades A for health and C+ for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Rancho San Diego, CA expensive?
Yes. The typical home is worth about $905,000, 19% above the California typical home. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.