Descanso, California

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Population in 2010: 1,423.
Males: 716  (50.3%)
Females: 707  (49.7%)
Median resident age:

56.5 years
California median age:

37.9 years

Zip codes: 91916.

Estimated median household income in 2022: $98,928
Descanso:

$98,928
CA:

$91,551

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $48,258

Descanso CDP income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $846,600
Descanso:

$846,600
CA:

$715,900

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $573,354; detached houses: $569,407

Median gross rent in 2022: $3,443.

March 2022 cost of living index in Descanso: 106.9 (more than average, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 0.8%

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  • Races in Descanso, CA (2022)
    • 1,08476.4%White alone
    • 17312.2%Hispanic
    • 1158.1%Two or more races
    • 342.4%Other race alone
    • 40.3%Asian alone



According to our research of California and other state lists, there were 2 registered sex offenders living in Descanso, California as of April 28, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Descanso is 656 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is near the state average.


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Ancestries: European (27.9%), Irish (10.8%), German (10.0%), Dutch (8.2%), English (4.4%), Norwegian (3.1%).

Current Local Time: PST time zone

Elevation: 3396 feet

129 residents are foreign born (8.4% Latin America).

This place:

9.1%
California:

26.5%

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: El Cajon, CA (20.4 miles , pop. 94,869).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: San Diego, CA (31.3 miles , pop. 1,223,400).

Nearest cities:

Pine Valley, CA (2.3 miles ),
Alpine, CA (3.0 miles ),
Mount Laguna, CA (3.4 miles),
Harbison Canyon, CA (3.6 miles ),
San Diego Country Estates, CA (3.9 miles ),
Crest, CA (3.9 miles ),
Julian, CA (3.9 miles ),
Lakeside, CA (4.1 miles )

Latitude: 32.85 N, Longitude: 116.61 W

Distribution of median household income in Descanso, CA in 2022
Distribution of house value in Descanso, CA in 2022
Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

4.3%
California:

5.1%
Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI CO NO2 SO2 Ozone PM10 PM2.5 Pb
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2023 was 76.4. This is about average.

City:

76.4
U.S.:

72.6
Carbon Monoxide Level

Carbon Monoxide (CO) [ppm] level in 2022 was 0.291. This is about average. Closest monitor was 19.2 miles away from the city center.

City:

0.291
U.S.:

0.251
Nitrogen Dioxide Level

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) [ppb] level in 2022 was 4.40. This is about average. Closest monitor was 8.9 miles away from the city center.

City:

4.40
U.S.:

5.11
Sulfur Dioxide Level

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) [ppb] level in 2022 was 0.0589. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 19.5 miles away from the city center.

City:

0.0589
U.S.:

1.5147
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2023 was 49.4. This is significantly worse than average. Closest monitor was 8.9 miles away from the city center.

City:

49.4
U.S.:

33.3
Particulate Matter Level
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2023 was 6.24. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 8.9 miles away from the city center.

City:

6.24
U.S.:

8.11
Lead Level

Lead (Pb) [µg/m3] level in 2023 was 0.00288. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 19.2 miles away from the city center.

City:

0.00288
U.S.:

0.00931

Earthquake activity:

Descanso-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above California state average. It is 5883% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 6/28/1992 at 11:57:34, a magnitude 7.6 (6.2 MB, 7.6 MS, 7.3 MW, Depth: 0.7 mi, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 92.2 miles away from the city center, causing 3 deaths (1 shaking deaths, 2 other deaths) and 400 injuries, causing $100,000,000 total damage and $40,000,000 insured losses
On 5/19/1940 at 04:36:40, a magnitude 7.2 (7.2 UK) earthquake occurred 59.0 miles away from the city center, causing $33,000,000 total damage
On 10/16/1999 at 09:46:44, a magnitude 7.4 (6.3 MB, 7.4 MS, 7.2 MW, 7.3 ML) earthquake occurred 115.4 miles away from the city center
On 12/31/1934 at 18:45:56, a magnitude 7.1 (7.1 UK) earthquake occurred 51.0 miles away from the city center
On 7/21/1952 at 11:52:14, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK) earthquake occurred 202.0 miles away from Descanso center, causing $50,000,000 total damage
On 10/15/1979 at 23:16:54, a magnitude 7.0 (5.7 MB, 6.9 MS, 7.0 ML, 6.4 MW) earthquake occurred 56.8 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in San Diego County (39) is a lot greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 21
Emergencies Declared: 2

Causes of natural disasters: Fires: 21, Floods: 17, Storms: 9, Winter Storms: 6, Landslides: 5, Mudslides: 4, Freeze: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Tornado: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Descanso:

  • Cuyamaca College (about 21 miles; El Cajon, CA; Full-time enrollment: 4,270)
  • Grossmont College (about 23 miles; El Cajon, CA; FT enrollment: 10,461)
  • Southwestern College (about 27 miles; Chula Vista, CA; FT enrollment: 10,761)
  • San Diego State University (about 28 miles; San Diego, CA; FT enrollment: 27,516)
  • Alliant International University (about 29 miles; San Diego, CA; FT enrollment: 3,155)
  • University of Phoenix-San Diego Campus (about 30 miles; San Diego, CA; FT enrollment: 5,159)
  • San Diego Miramar College (about 30 miles; San Diego, CA; FT enrollment: 5,128)

Public elementary/middle school in Descanso:

See full list of schools located in Descanso

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear place borders

Notable locations in Descanso: Stallion Oaks Campground (A), Descanso Campground (B), Descanso Fire Station (C), Descanso Branch San Diego County Library (D), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Station 45 Descanso (E). Display/hide their locations on the map

Creeks: Descanso Creek (A), Samagatuma Creek (B). Display/hide their locations on the map

San Diego County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Low Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Descanso and their reported violations in the past:

THOUSAND TRAILS OAKZANITA INC. (Population served: 400, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - Between OCT-2012 and DEC-2012, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St AO (w/o penalty) issued (OCT-20-2012)
Past monitoring violations:
  • 5 routine major monitoring violations
DESCANSO JUNCTION (Population served: 100, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • 6 routine major monitoring violations
  • 2 regular monitoring violations
Average household size:
This place:

2.4 people
California:

2.9 people

Percentage of family households:
This place:

67.9%
Whole state:

68.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This place:

6.8%
Whole state:

7.2%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 1.0% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.2% of all households

For population 15 years and over in Descanso:

Marital status in Descanso, CA
  • Never married: 28.2%
  • Now married: 53.3%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 5.2%
  • Divorced: 13.3%

For population 25 years and over in Descanso:

  • High school or higher: 92.5%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 18.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 9.6%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 20.7 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

12.4
California average:

15.5

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Descanso, CA (based on San Diego County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic801,850115
Evangelical Protestant302,320974
Other161,530349
Mainline Protestant74,992211
Black Protestant10,85752
Orthodox7,82819
None1,735,936-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 574
Here:

1.94 / 10,000 pop.
California:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 17
San Diego County:

0.06 / 10,000 pop.
California:

0.04 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 227
Here:

0.77 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.62 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 487
Here:

1.65 / 10,000 pop.
California:

1.49 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 2,238
San Diego County:

7.56 / 10,000 pop.
California:

7.42 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
This county:

6.5%
California:

7.3%
Adult obesity rate:
San Diego County:

22.2%
California:

21.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
This county:

16.0%
California:

17.9%

5.18% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2020 ($90,734 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.18%
California average:

5.19%

0.14% of residents moved from foreign countries ($1,493 average AGI)
San Diego County:

0.14%
California average:

0.03%

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2020 and 2021:
from Los Angeles County, CA  0.53% ($85,804 average AGI)
from Riverside County, CA  0.37% ($61,240)
from Orange County, CA  0.30% ($88,873)


5.71% of this county's 2020 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2021 ($83,556 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.71%
California average:

6.14%

0.09% of residents moved to foreign countries ($1,067 average AGI)
San Diego County:

0.09%
California average:

0.02%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2020 and 2021:
to Riverside County, CA  0.59% ($69,329 average AGI)
to Los Angeles County, CA  0.35% ($64,009)
to Orange County, CA  0.24% ($90,344)

Strongest AM radio stations in Descanso:

  • KFMB (760 AM; 50 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: MIDWEST TELEVISION, INC.)
  • KCBQ (1170 AM; 50 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: RADIO 1210, INC.)
  • KSDO (1130 AM; 10 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: HI-FAVOR BROADCASTING, LLC)
  • KECR (910 AM; 5 kW; EL CAJON, CA; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.)
  • KPRZ (1210 AM; 20 kW; SAN MARCOS, CA; Owner: RADIO 1210, INC.)
  • KOGO (600 AM; 5 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KPLS (830 AM; 50 kW; ORANGE, CA; Owner: CRN LICENSES, LLC)
  • KFI (640 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • KLAC (570 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • KURS (1040 AM; 5 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: QUETZAL BILINGUAL COMMUNICATIONS INC)
  • KPOP (1360 AM; 5 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KTNQ (1020 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: KTNQ-AM LICENSE CORP.)
  • KSPN (710 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: KABC-AM RADIO, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Descanso:

  • KLVJ (100.1 FM; JULIAN, CA; Owner: EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION)
  • KHTS-FM (93.3 FM; EL CAJON, CA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • K210CL (89.9 FM; LEMON GROVE, CA; Owner: SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT)
  • KPBS-FM (89.5 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: THE BD. OF TRUSTEES, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY)
  • KGB-FM (101.5 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KSON-FM (97.3 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: JEFFERSON-PILOT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA)
  • KLQV (102.9 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: HBC LICENSE CORPORATION)
  • KRTM (88.9 FM; TEMECULA, CA; Owner: PENFOLD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • KWVE (107.9 FM; SAN CLEMENTE, CA; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF COSTA MESA)
  • KLNV (106.5 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: HBC LICENSE CORPORATION)
  • KLRD (90.1 FM; YUCAIPA, CA; Owner: EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION)
  • KFSD-FM (92.1 FM; ESCONDIDO, CA; Owner: NORTH COUNTY BROADCASTING CORP.)
  • KIOZ (105.3 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KPRI (102.1 FM; ENCINITAS, CA; Owner: COMPASS RADIO OF SAN DIEGO, INC.)
  • KBZT (94.9 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: JEFFERSON-PILOT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA)
  • KIFM (98.1 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: JEFFERSON-PILOT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA)
  • KYXY (96.5 FM; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: INFINITY RADIO OPERATIONS INC.)
  • Descanso, California
  • Fatal accident count16
  • Vehicles involved in fatal accidents27
  • Fatal accidents involving drunk persons:3
  • Fatalities18
  • Persons involved in fatal accidents63
  • Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents2
  • California average
  • Fatal accident count46156
  • Vehicles involved in fatal accidents70797
  • Fatal accidents involving drunk persons16245
  • Fatalities51308
  • Persons involved in fatal accidents126934
  • Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents12136
See more detailed statistics of Descanso fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2021 here
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 17Number of bridges
  • 243ft / 74.4mTotal length
  • 122,100Total average daily traffic
  • 14,166Total average daily truck traffic
New bridges in Descanso, CA - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 51940-1949
  • 11960-1969
  • 101970-1979
  • 12010-2019
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Descanso, CA

2006 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year Based on the data from the years 2006 - 2018 the average number of fire incidents per year is 9. The highest number of fire incidents - 16 took place in 2010, and the least - 5 in 2006. The data has an increasing trend.
    Fire incident types in Descanso, CA When looking into fire subcategories, the most reports belonged to: Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires (40.7%), and Outside Fires (39.0%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Descanso, CA
    • 4840.7%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 4639.0%Outside Fires
    • 1714.4%Structure Fires
    • 75.9%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Descanso, CA
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Descanso, CA
  • 29.6%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 24.7%Other fuel
  • 20.1%Electricity
  • 18.8%Wood
  • 6.9%Utility gas
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Descanso, CA
  • 33.5%Wood
  • 30.8%Electricity
  • 30.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 5.4%Bottled, tank, or LP gas


Descanso compared to California state average:

  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age significantly above state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Renting percentage below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

Descanso on our top lists:

  • #41 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Laos (population 500+)"
  • #4 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic adherents"
  • #4 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest lead air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
  • #7 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Evangelical Protestant congregations"
  • #7 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic congregations"
  • #7 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
There are 2 pilots and no other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Alan M. Parker (1)
  • Tonni Sandager Larsen (1)
  • Charles Inskeep (1)
  • Charles G. Inskeep (1)
  • Andrew Valiere (1)
  • Clinton M. Johnson (1)
  • Josef K. Alter (1)

Total of 7 patent applications in 2008-2024.