Contents

San Diego County, California

San Diego County
County
County of San Diego
From top down and left to right: F/A-18 Hornet flying over San Diego, Mission San Diego de Alcalá, San Diego State University's Hepner Hall, Hotel del Coronado, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Jacumba Mountains
Flag Seal Logo
Interactive map of San Diego County
Location in California
Coordinates: 33°01′N 116°46′W / 33.02°N 116.77°W / 33.02; -116.77
Country	United States
State	California
Formed	February 18, 1850[1]
Named for	San Diego de Alcalá
County seat	San Diego
Largest city	San Diego
Government
• Type	Council–CEO
• Body	Board of Supervisors
• Chair	Nora Vargas (D)
• Vice Chair	Terra Lawson-Remer (D)
• Chair Pro Tem	Joel Anderson (R)
• Board of Supervisors[3]	Supervisors Nora Vargas (D) Joel Anderson (R) Terra Lawson-Remmer (D) Monica Montgomery Steppe (D) Jim Desmond (R)
• Chief Administrative Officer	Sarah E. Aghassi (Interim)[2]
Area [4]
• Total	4,260.9 sq mi (11,036 km2)
• Land	3,942 sq mi (10,210 km2)
• Water	319 sq mi (830 km2)
Highest elevation [5]	6,533 ft (1,991 m)
Population  (April 1, 2020)
• Total	3,298,634
• Density	837/sq mi (323/km2)
GDP [6]
• Total	$257.341 billion (2022)
Time zone	UTC–8 (Pacific Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC–7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Area codes	442/760, 619/858, and 949
FIPS code	06-073
Congressional districts	48th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd
Website	www.sandiegocounty.gov

San Diego County (/ˌsæn diˈeɪɡoʊ/ ^ⓘ), officially the County of San Diego (Spanish: Condado de San Diego), is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. stateofCalifornia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,298,634,^[7] making it California's second-most populous county and the fifth-most populous in the United States. Its county seatisSan Diego,^[8] the second-most populous city in California and the eighth-most populous city in the United States. It is the southwesternmost county in the 48 contiguous United States, and is a border county. It is also home to 18 Native American tribal reservations, the most of any county in the United States.

San Diego County comprises the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area,^[9] which is the 17th most populous metropolitan statistical area and the 18th most populous primary statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012.^[10][11] San Diego County is also part of the San Diego–Tijuana transborder metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area shared between the United States and Mexico.

San Diego County has more than 70 miles (113 km) of coastline. This forms the most densely populated region of the county, which has a mild Mediterraneantosemiarid climate and extensive chaparral vegetation, similar to the rest of the western portion of Southern California. Precipitation and temperature extremes increase to the east, with mountains that receive frost and snow in the winter.^[12] These lushly forested mountains receive more rainfall than the average in Southern California, while the desert region of the county lies in a rain shadow to the east, which extends into the Desert Southwest region of North America.

There are 16 military installations of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard in San Diego County. These include Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Naval Air Station North Island, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and Coast Guard Air Station San Diego.

From north to south, San Diego County extends from the southern borders of Orange and Riverside Counties to the Mexico–U.S. border and the Baja California municipalitiesofTijuana and Tecate. From west to east, San Diego County stretches from the Pacific Ocean to its boundary with Imperial County, which separated from it in 1907.

History[edit]

The area which is now San Diego County has been inhabited for more than 12,000 years by Kumeyaay (also called Diegueno and Ipai/Tipai), Payómkawichum (Luiseño), Kuupangaxwichem (Cupeño), ʔívil̃uqaletem (Cahuilla), and the Acjachemen (Juaneño) Indians and their local predecessors.^[13]

In 1542, the explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who may have been born in Portugal but sailed under the flag of Castile, claimed San Diego Bay for the Spanish Empire, and he named the site San Miguel.^[14] In November 1602, Sebastián Vizcaíno surveyed the harbor and what are now Mission Bay and Point Loma and named the area for Saint Didacus, a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego.^[15] European settlement in what is now San Diego County began with the founding of the San Diego Presidio and Mission San Diego de AlcalábySpanish soldiers and clerics in 1769.^[16] This county was part of Alta California under the Viceroyalty of New Spain until the Mexican declaration of independence. From 1821 through 1848, this area was part of Mexico.

San Diego County became part of the United States as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, ending the Mexican–American War. This treaty designated the border to pass through a point one marine league south of the southernmost point of the port of San Diego, ensuring that the United States received all of the natural harbor of San Diego Bay.

San Diego County was one of the original counties of California, created at the time of California statehood in 1850.^[17]: 221

At the time of its establishment in 1850, San Diego County was relatively large, and included all of southernmost California south and east of Los Angeles County. It included areas of what are now Inyo and San Bernardino Counties, as well as all of what are now Riverside and Imperial Counties.^[17]: 221

During the later part of the 19th century, there were numerous changes in the boundaries of San Diego County, when various areas were separated to make up the counties mentioned above. The most recent changes were the establishments of Riverside County in 1893^[17]: 207 and Imperial County in 1907.^[17]: 113 Imperial County was also the last county to be established in California, and after this division, San Diego no longer extended from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River, and it no longer covered the entire border between California and Mexico.

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 4,526 square miles (11,720 km²), of which 4,207 square miles (10,900 km²) is land and 319 square miles (830 km²) (7.0%) is water.^[18] The county is larger in area than the combined states of Rhode Island and Delaware.^[19]

San Diego County has a varied topography. On its western side is more than 70 miles (113 km) of coastline.^[20] Most of San Diego between the coast and the Laguna Mountains consists of hills, mesas, and small canyons. Snow-capped (in winter) mountains rise to the east, with the Sonoran Desert farther to the east. Cleveland National Forest is spread across the central portion of the county, while the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park occupies most of the northeast.

Although the county's western third is primarily urban, the mountains and deserts in the eastern two-thirds are primarily undeveloped backcountry. Most of these backcountry areas are home to a native plant community known as chaparral. San Diego County contains more than 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km²) of chaparral, twice as much as any other California county.^[21]

Periodically the area has been subject to wildfires that force thousands to evacuate. The most recent are the December 2017 Lilac Fire, the May 2014 San Diego County wildfires, the Witch Creek Fire in 2007, and the Cedar Fire in 2003. California defines a fire season in which fires are most likely to occur, usually between late July and late October (which are the driest months of the area). Signs posted in numerous spots of the county provide information on the level of threats from fires based on weather conditions.^{[citation needed]}

Regions[edit]

Northern San Diego County is known as North County; the eastern suburbs are collectively known as East County; the rural areas located further east and extending to the Imperial County line are known as the Mountain Empire; and the southern suburbs, extending to the Mexican border, are collectively known as the South Bay or South County, including South San Diego, an exclave of the city of San Diego which has no land connection to the rest of the city.

Location[edit]

San Diego County is bordered on the northwest by Orange County, on the north by Riverside County; on the east by Imperial County; on the south by Mexico; and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Climate[edit]

Under the Köppen climate classification system, the urban and suburban San Diego area straddles areas of Mediterranean climate (Csa) to the north and hot semi-arid climate (BSh) to the south and east.^[22] As a result, it is often described as "arid Mediterranean" and "semi-arid steppe." Farther east, arid desert conditions prevail. Western San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters with most of the annual precipitation falling between November and March. The city has mild, mostly dry weather, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F (21 °C) and low rainfall (9–13 inches (23–33 cm) annually). Summer temperatures are generally warm, with average highs of 70–78 °F (21–26 °C) and lows of 55–66 °F (13–19 °C). Temperatures exceed 90 °F (32 °C) only four days a year. Most rainfall occurs from November to April. Winter temperatures are mild, with average high temperatures of 66–70 °F (19–21 °C) and lows of 50–56 °F (10–13 °C).

The climate in the San Diego area, like much of California, often varies significantly over short geographical distances resulting in microclimates. In San Diego's case this is mainly due to the city's topography (the Bay, and the numerous hills, mountains, and canyons). Frequently, particularly during the "May gray/June gloom" period, a thick marine layer will keep the air cool and damp within a few miles of the coast, but will yield to bright cloudless sunshine approximately 5–10 miles (8.0–16.1 km) inland. This happens every year in May and June.^[23] Even in the absence of June gloom, inland areas tend to experience much more significant temperature variations than coastal areas, where the ocean serves as a moderating influence. Thus, for example, downtown San Diego averages January lows of 48 °F (9 °C) and August highs of 77 °F (25 °C).^[24] The city of El Cajon, just 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown San Diego, averages January lows of 42 °F (6 °C) and August highs of 89 °F (32 °C).^[25] Julian, in the mountains, has an average January low of 29 °F (−2 °C) and August high of 85 °F (29 °C).^[26] Borrego Springs, in the Colorado Desert, has an average January low of 43 °F (6 °C) and August high of 106 °F (41 °C).^[27]

Rainfall along the coast averages about 10 inches (25 cm) of precipitation annually, which occurs mainly during the cooler months of December through April. Though there are few wet days per month during the rainy period, rainfall can be heavy when it does occur. However, the rainfall is greater in the higher elevations of San Diego. Some of the higher areas of San Diego, such as Palomar Mountain and the Laguna Mountains, receive 20–40 inches (51–102 cm) of rain per year, supporting lush forests similar to the Sierra Nevada and California Coast Range. The Colorado Desert portion of the county lies to the east of the mountains, which receives the least amount of precipitation; Borrego Springs, the largest population center in the desert, averages only 5 inches (13 cm), with a high evaporation rate.

Adjacent counties and municipalities[edit]

National protected areas[edit]

• Cabrillo National Monument
• Cleveland National Forest (part)
• San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex,^[32] which includes
  • San Diego National Wildlife Refuge^[33]
  • San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge^[34]
  • Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge^[35]
  • Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (located in Orange County)^[36]

There are seven official wilderness areas in San Diego County that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Four of these are integral parts of Cleveland National Forest, whereas three are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Some of these extend into neighboring counties (as indicated below):

• Otay Mountain Wilderness (BLM)
• Pine Creek Wilderness (Cleveland National Forest)
• Hauser Wilderness (Cleveland National Forest)
• Carrizo Gorge Wilderness (BLM)
• Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness (BLM)
• Agua Tibia Wilderness (Cleveland National Forest) partly in Riverside County
• San Mateo Canyon Wilderness (Cleveland National Forest) mostly in Riverside County

State parks and protected areas[edit]

Mountains[edit]

There are 236 mountain summits and peaks in San Diego County^[37] including:

Bays and lagoons[edit]

Lakes[edit]

Rivers[edit]

• San Diego River
• San Luis Rey River
• San Dieguito River
• Sweetwater River
• Otay River
• Tijuana River
  • Tijuana River Mouth State Marine Conservation Area
• Santa Margarita River

Environmental risks[edit]

More than 1,700 tons of radioactive waste are stored at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station,^[38] which sits in an area where there is a record of past tsunamis.^[39][40]

Demographics[edit]

In the 1847 census of San Diego County ordered by Richard Barnes Mason, it found that 2,287 people lived in the county, to include Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and African Americans.^[41] Since at least 2014, San Diego County is the fifth most populous county in the United States.^[42] In 2000, only about 3% of San Diego County residents left the county for work while 40,000 people commuted into the metropolitan area.^[43]

2020 census[edit]

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Racial and Ethnic Composition since 1960[edit]

Race[edit]

The 2010 United States Census reported that San Diego County had a population of 3,095,313. The racial makeup of San Diego County was 1,981,442 (64.0%) White, 158,213 (5.1%) African American, 26,340 (0.9%) Native American, 336,091 (10.9%) Asian (4.7% Filipino, 1.6% Vietnamese, 1.4% Chinese, 3.2% Other Asian), 15,337 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 419,465 (13.6%) from other races, and 158,425 (5.0%) from two or more races. HispanicorLatino of any race were 991,348 people (32.0%).^[56] Including those of mixed race, the total number of residents with Asian ancestry was 407,984.^[57]

As of 2009, the racial makeup of the county was 79.4% White American, 5.6% BlackorAfrican American, 1% Native American, 10.4% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 10.3% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. 31.3% of the population were HispanicorLatino of any race.

67.0% spoke only English at home; 21.9% spoke Spanish, 3.1% Tagalog and 1.2% Vietnamese.

Other demographics[edit]

As of 2018 Census Bureau estimates, there were 3,343,364 people, 1,067,846 households, and 663,449 families residing in the county. The population density was 670 inhabitants per square mile (260/km²). There were 1,142,245 housing units at an average density of 248 per square mile (96/km²).

In 2000 there were 994,677 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.29.

As of 2000, in the county the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.

In 2012, it was estimated that there were 198,000 unauthorized immigrants; the origin of the plurality of them is Mexico.^[58]

In 2018, the median household income was $70,824; most people spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs.^[59] In August of that year, the median home price was $583,000; this is lower than the median home price in Los Angeles, and Orange counties.^[60]

Income[edit]

According to the 2000 Census, the median income for a household in the county was $47,067, and the median income for a family was $53,438. Males had a median income of $36,952 versus $30,356 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,926. About 8.9% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Much of the county's high-income residents are concentrated in the northern part of the city of San Diego. The San Diego metropolitan area has two places with both a population of over 50,000 and a per capita income of over $40,000: Carlsbad and Encinitas.

The county's largest continuous high-income urban area is a triangle from a first point on the northern edge of Carlsbad, a second point southeast of Escondido, and a third point on the southern edge of La Jolla. It contains all or most of the cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Poway in addition to a substantial portion of northern San Diego.^[61]

Homelessness[edit]

According to a Point-In-Time count taken for the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless, there were 8,576 homeless individuals on January 6, 2018, a 6% decrease from 2017. 3,586 were sheltered, and 4,990 were not. 4,912 (75.3%) were in the city of San Diego. North County Inland had 1,153 (13.4%), North County Coastal with 822 homeless (9.6%), 602 (7%) were found in South County, and 1,087 (12.7%) in East County.^[62]

Religion[edit]

According to the Pew Research Center as of 2014^[update], 68% of adults in the county are Christian, of whom 32% are Catholic. 27% were unaffiliated, and 5% adhered to a Non-Christian faith.^[63] According to the University of Southern California, in 2010, the largest faith in the county was Catholicism, followed by Nondenominational Christians, and Mormons.^[64]

In 2014, the county had 978 religious organizations, the seventh most out of all US counties.^[65]

Immigration data[edit]

In 2014 according to Pew Research Center, there are about 170,000 undocumented immigrants living in the region.^[66] San Diego has been a destination for trafficked minors from Mexico and the Philippines.^[67] In 2018, the United States Border Patrol caught an average of over a hundred individuals crossing the border illegally each day.^[68]

Economy[edit]

San Diego County and Imperial County are part of the Southern Border Region, one of nine such regions. As a regional economy, the Southern Border Region is the smallest but most economically diverse region in the state. However, the two counties maintain weak relations and have little in common aside from their common border.^[69] The region has a high cost of living.^[70] This includes the highest cost of water in the United States.^[71] As of 2018^[update], San Diego County is within the top ten highest cost of rent in the United States;^[72] this has led to people moving out of the county.^[73]

Agriculture[edit]

San Diego County's agriculture industry was worth $1.85 billion in 2013,^[74] and is one of the top five egg producing counties in the United States.^[75] In 2013, San Diego County also had the most small farms of any county in the United States, and had the 19th largest agricultural economy of any county in the United States.^[76] According to the San Diego Farm Bureau, San Diego County is the United States' leading producer of avocados and nursery crops.^[77] Until the early 20th century, San Diego County had a thriving wine industry; however the 1916 Charles Hatfield flood was the beginning of the end of the industry which included the destruction of the Daneri winery in Otay Valley.^[78] As of October 2016^[update], there are roughly one hundred vineyards and wineries in San Diego County.^[79]

By the 2019–2020 statistical survey, California Department of Food & Agriculture (cdfa) found that the nursery trade dominated the county's agriculture by dollar value.^[80] Second place went to avocado production.^[80]

Breweries[edit]

The county has been called "the Craft Beer Capital of America".^[81] Brewing has been one of the fastest-growing business sectors with local breweries ranking among the 50 largest craft brewers in the United States and breweries that are consistently rated among the top breweries in the world.

Cannabis[edit]

Commercial operations to grow, test, or sell cannabis are not allowed in the unincorporated areas of the county. Companies must be licensed by the local agency to operate and each city or county may authorize none or only some of these activities. Local governments may not prohibit adults, who are in compliance with state laws, from growing, using, or transporting marijuana for personal use.^[82]

Tourism[edit]

Tourism plays a large part in the economics of the San Diego metropolitan area. Tourists are drawn to the region for a well rounded experience, everything from shopping to surfing as well as its mild climate. Its numerous tourist destinations include Westfield UTC, Seaport Village, Westfield Mission Valley and Fashion Valley Mall for shopping. SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland Californiaasamusement parks. Golf courses such as Torrey Pines Golf Course and Balboa Park Golf Course. Museums such as the Museum of Us, San Diego Museum of Art, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, USS Midway Museum, and the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Historical places such as the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Wildlife refuges, zoos, and aquariums such as the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, San Diego Zoo's Safari Park, San Diego Zoo and San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park. Outdoor destinations include the Peninsular Ranges for hiking, biking, mountainboarding and trail riding. Surfing locations include Swami's, Stone Steps Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, Cardiff State Beach, San Onofre State Beach and the southern portion of Black's Beach.

The region is host to the second largest cruise ship industry in California which generates an estimated $2 million annually from purchases of food, fuel, supplies, and maintenance services.^[83] In 2008 the Port of San Diego hosted 252 ship calls and more than 800,000 passengers.^[84]

Culture[edit]

The culture of San Diego is influenced heavily by American and Mexican cultures due to its position as a border town, its large Hispanic population, and its history as part of Spanish America and Mexico. The area's longtime association with the U.S. military also contributes to its culture. Present-day culture includes many historical and tourist attractions, a thriving musical and theatrical scene, numerous notable special events, a varied cuisine, and a reputation as one of America's premier centers of craft brewing.

Sites of interest[edit]

• Mount Laguna Observatory, owned and primarily operated by San Diego State University
• Palomar Observatory, owned and primarily operated by the California Institute of Technology
• The Ramona Valley wine-producing region, located 28 miles (45 km) northeast of the city of San Diego
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park, formerly known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park, 35 miles (56 km) north of the San Diego Zoo and east of Escondido
• SeaWorld San Diego on Mission Bay.
• Mission Bay Park, including Fiesta Island, a sheltered bay popular for water sports, also known for the annual Over the line tournament.
• Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of California's 21 Spanish missions. It is an operating Roman Catholic parish and also is open for historical interest tours during the week. It is located near the interchange of Interstates 8 and 15.
• Mission San Luis Rey, founded on June 13, 1798, by Padre Fermín Lasuén. It is the 18th of the Spanish missions established in California. It is an operating Roman Catholic parish and is open every day for historical interest tours. It is located near Route 76 in the Oceanside area.
• Balboa Park, with numerous museums and other cultural locations, just north of Downtown San Diego.
• San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park
• Presidio Park, located on a bluff directly above Old Town, a city historic park on the site of the San Diego Presidio, the first European settlement in California.
• San Diego Bay contains the aircraft carrier USS Midway now used as a memorial ship and as a floating museum, and the eight floating museum ships of the San Diego Maritime Museum. Harbor cruises, sailing, and sport fishing are also available
• San Diego Botanic Garden, a 37-acre botanic oasis in the coastal community of Encinitas. Features 4 miles of meandering trails, 5,300+ plant species and 29 uniquely themed gardens, including the largest public bamboo collection in North America.
• Legoland California, a Lego theme park in Carlsbad
• Sesame Place San Diego, a Sesame Street theme park in Chula Vista
• Alta Vista Gardens is a Botanical GardeninVista dedicated to bringing together 'People, Nature & Art'.
• Mount Ecclesia is a historic district noted for its singular architecture and the preservation of nature grounds and gardens, offering a unique meditative walking experience. It is located about a mile east of Interstate 5 in the Oceanside area.
• San Dieguito County Park

Sports[edit]

Professional teams[edit]

The following teams compete at their sport's highest level of domestic competition.

• Bold indicates major professional league team.
• Italic indicates cluborsemi-pro team competing in its sport's highest level league, where the sport has no fully-professional domestic competition.

Minor league teams[edit]

The following teams compete below their sport's highest level of domestic competition.

College athletics[edit]

Annual events[edit]

Government[edit]

The Government of San Diego County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution, California law, and the Charter of the County of San Diego.^[97] Much of the Government of California is in practice the responsibility of county governments such as the Government of San Diego County. The County government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition the County serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas.^[98] Some chartered cities such as San Diego and Chula Vista provide municipal services such as police, public safety, libraries, parks and recreation, and zoning. Other cities such as Del Mar and Vista arrange to have the County provide some or all of these services on a contract basis.

The county government is composed of the elected five-member Board of Supervisors, several other elected offices and officers

and numerous county departments and entities under the supervision of the Chief Administrative Officer such as the Probation Department. In addition, several entities of the government of California have jurisdiction conterminous with San Diego County, such as the San Diego Superior Court.

Under its foundational Charter, the five-member elected San Diego County Board of Supervisors is the county legislature. The board operates in a legislative, executive, and quasi-judicial capacity. As a legislative authority, it can pass ordinances for the unincorporated areas (ordinances that affect the whole county, like posting of restaurant ratings, must be ratified by the individual city). As an executive body, it can tell the county departments what to do, and how to do it. As a quasi-judicial body, the Board is the final venue of appeal in the local planning process.

As of June 2023, the members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors are:^[99]