Checked
Descanso, CA
Census-designated place in San Diego County, California. ZIP codes: 91916.
Population
1,590
Land area
19.2sq mi
People per sq mi
83
ZIP codes
1
Descanso and its ZIP codes
Descanso at a glance
- Descanso is 67% less dense than California as a whole.
- The median household income is $110,132, 11% above the California median of $99,122.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $662,600 (10% below California) and median rent is $3,250 a month.
Local data for Descanso, CA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Descanso, CA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$110,132
Poverty rate
3.7%
Median home value
$662,600
Median rent
$3,250/mo
Homeownership
70.2%
Bachelor's or higher
15.5%
Median age
53.6
Average commute
27.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (440), German Americans (331), Mexican Americans (235).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for San Diego County. PPP loans are for Descanso.
Unemployment rate
4.9%
Aug 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$85,402
1,535,067 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$84,312
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$35.8B
FY 2026, $10,862 per person
How people get to work
Descanso, CA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone68.2%
- Carpooled19.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.6%
- Worked from home11.2%
Average one-way commute: 27.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Descanso, CA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very High
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
2,698
Countywide, mostly high wind
Flood insurance policies
6,088
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 43°F
16.1 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Descanso, CA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
26.6%
U.S. 33.3% -6.7 pts
Diabetes
11.2%
U.S. 12.1% -0.9 pts
Smoking
12.2%
U.S. 12.8% -0.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.1%
U.S. 11.1% -5.0 pts
ZIP codes in Descanso
1 in or overlapping Descanso. Population shown
Cities near Descanso
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Pine ValleyCensus-designated place | 6.9 mi | 7.2 |
| AlpineCensus-designated place | 7.7 mi | 26.8 |
| Mount LagunaCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 1.7 |
| Harbison CanyonCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 10.1 |
| San Diego Country EstatesCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 16.8 |
| CrestCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 6.5 |
| JulianCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 7.9 |
| LakesideCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 6.9 |
| Granite HillsCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 2.8 |
| PotreroCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 3.1 |
| JamulCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 16.8 |
| CampoCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 23.5 |
| Winter GardensCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 4.4 |
| BostoniaCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 1.9 |
| Eucalyptus HillsCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 4.8 |
| Rancho San DiegoCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 8.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Descanso, CA in?
- Descanso is in San Diego County, California.
- What ZIP codes are in Descanso, CA?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Descanso include 91916.
- What is the population of Descanso, CA?
- About 1,590 people live in Descanso, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Descanso?
- Nearby places include Pine Valley (6.9 mi), Alpine (7.7 mi), Mount Laguna (12 mi), Harbison Canyon (12 mi), San Diego Country Estates (13 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023