Prefer small towns? This is the least populated city in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO — The hustling, bustling city life isn’t for everyone. Even on the West Coast, some prefer small town vibes over the buzzing streets of ultra urban areas.

When it comes to incorporated cities in San Diego County, there are some that have a population much lower than others. Can you guess which city has the least amount of people living in it?

Here’s a breakdown of the region’s incorporated cities by population from most to least, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s data as of January 4, 2020, as well as estimates come January 2022.

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*Note: A town or city that’s incorporated has received a charter from the state, meaning it’s legally allowed to have its own elected officials, and, with some exceptions, make it owns rules.

City

Population Census 2020

Population Estimate 2022

San Diego

1,386,960

1,381,162

Chula Vista

275,500

279,170

Oceanside

174,048

172,199

Escondido

151,074

150,270

Carlsbad

114,735

114,160

El Cajon

106,183

104,414

Vista

98,414

97,766

San Marcos

94,862

94,854

Encinitas

62,002

61,369

La Mesa

61,119

60,360

Santee

60,047

59,051

National City

56,172

55,550

Poway

48,837

48,078

Lemon Grove

27,635

27,224

Imperial Beach

26,131

25,791

Coronado

20,194

18,702

Solana Beach

12,938

12,802

Del Mar

3,950

3,882

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For those that live in the coastal incorporated city of Del Mar, the streets may feel less busy and you may know some of your neighbors by name. This community, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is the least populated.

On the contrary, it may comes as no surprise that most populated area is the City of San Diego. With over a million inhabitants, this spot may not be the best county area for residents who don’t like noise, nightlife, and high-rise living.

Incorporated cities like Encinitas, La Mesa, Santee and National City may be the happy medium for those who like a taste of both styles of living. These areas have recorded populations between 56,000 to 62,000 people.

It’s also important to note that population density, or the number of people per square mile of land area, plays a role in how busy or crowded a city may feel. The population density of each incorporated city in the county can be found here.

Where did your town fall on the list?

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