Poway, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Poway is a mid-size city in California with a population of 48,515. Residents earn $143,825 per year, which is 91% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
48,515 Population 1,241/sq mi density
$143,825 Median Income $62,061 per capita
$971,500 Home Value $1,206,250 Zillow
$2,261 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
141 Violent Crime/100K 876 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$143,825 median income, 3.3% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$971,500 home value, $2,261/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
141 violent crimes/100K (63% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
53.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $143,825
91% higher than US avg
Home Value $971,500
245% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 141/100K
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 53.4%
58% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,261
94% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.7%
29% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

How Poway Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population48,515
Median Age41.9 yrs
Density1,241/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 63%

Economy

A+
Median Income$143,825
Per Capita$62,061
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$331,868M
Commute25 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$971,500
Rent$2,261
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,206,250

Crime

F
Violent141/100K
Property876/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault110/100K
Burglary197/100K

Health

Obesity22.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease4.1%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.5 in/yr
Elevation741 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+53.4%
High School+93.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute25 min
EV Stations9
Libraries88

Is Poway a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Poway receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Poway offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Poway is $143,825, which is significantly higher than the national average — 91% above $75,149. This places Poway among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Poway is $971,500, making it a premium housing market at 245% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,261 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.8x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Poway is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 141 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 876 per 100,000, 55% below the national average.

Education

Poway is a highly educated community — 53.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Poway enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Poway has a population of 48,515 with a density of 1,241 people per square mile. The median age is 41.9 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62.5%), with 2% Hispanic, 2.8% Black.

Population

48,515
Total Population
1,241
People / sq mi
41.9yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
39.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Poway vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.6%
6% below US avg
Spanish26.4%
97% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Poway vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Poway is $143,825, which is 91% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Poway vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$143,825
91% above US avg
Per Capita Income$62,061
Avg Weekly Wage$1,593
IRS Avg AGI$104,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)133,031
County GDP$331,868M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,243
Healthcare11,184
Retail9,270
Manufacturing2,955

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Work from Home20.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Poway is $971,500, 245% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,261 (94% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,206,250.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$971,500
245% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,206,250
Median List Price$1,350,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,350,000
$/Sq Ft$591
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio99.8%
Price Drops25.9%
Inventory54

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,261
94% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,144

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Rate0.95%
In Poway, 22.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.1% report depression. 16.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Poway vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.7%
29% below US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.1%
High Blood Pressure25.1%
Asthma9.0%
COPD3.8%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity16.1%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate72.3%
Premature Death5,727/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access97.5%
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Poway has a violent crime rate of 141 per 100,000 residents, 63% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 876 per 100,000 (55% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Poway vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent140.6/100K
63% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape4.0/100K
Robbery26.1/100K
Assault110.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property875.8/100K
55% below US avg
Burglary196.8/100K
Theft614.6/100K
Vehicle Theft64.3/100K
Arson6.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Poway has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.5 inches
70% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation741 ft (226 m)
Area39.1 sq mi (101.2 km²)
Population Density1,241/sq mi
Coordinates32.9877°N, 117.0218°W
County FIPS06073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 53.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.2%
D 56.9%

Winner: Democrat by 16.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+53.4%
58% above US avg
High School+93.8%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,241/sq mi
Total Area39.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations15
Public Libraries88
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Restaurants8,243
Retail Stores9,270

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Work from Home20.2%

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