La Mesa Population a Mystery No More: We Have 57,000-Plus Souls

How many people live in La Mesa?

In recent years, that figure has been fluid—with numbers all over the map.  They ranged from 53,623 on a real-estate website to “nearly 60,000,” according to the La Mesa Historical Society.

Wikipedia cited a July 2009 count of 55,547, and the city’s own website noted a 2007 population of 56,250.  The San Diego Association of Governments recently said 58,150.

But the city’s population came into sharp focus Tuesday with release of the U.S. census. Its house-to-house head count is final and official.

And the official number? 

It’s 57,065—a  4.2 percent rise over the 2000 census count of 54,749.  In 1990, the census said La Mesa had 52,931 souls. At the time of incorporation in 1912, La Mesa had something over 700, according to James Newland in Images of America: La Mesa.

A fifth of the city’s residents in 2010 were under 18, the census said—11,164. And just over a fifth called themselves Hispanic or Latino—11,696.

Of the 26,167 housing units in La Mesa, 93.7 percent are occupied— 24,512.  That means the city has 1,655 vacant housing units. The city of 9.26 square miles has 249 American Indians. Complete ethnic breakdown is attached.

Asked whether the number is higher or lower than expected, the president and CEO of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce said: “The census is what it is.”

Mary England, the chamber leader, added:

To the business community, this figure represents the number of consumers that live, work and play in La Mesa—or at least live in La Mesa! If the dollar that is spent by these consumers changes hands numerous times in the city of La Mesa, that is a very good thing!  

Remember when the cash register rings—everyone is successful! The consumer receives a product that they want and need and the business person is able to sell their product, reduce their inventory and make a living, pay their taxes. Everyone wins—the consumer, the business person and the city!

According to the Census Bureau, San Diego County's population rose in step with California's population—both rising 10 percent from April 2000 to April 2010.

The Golden State grew from 33.8 million residents to 37.2 million residents during that decade, the census reported. California appears to be moving toward the middle of the state– at least when it comes to where they call home.

Riverside County had the biggest jump, increasing 41 percent from 2000 to 2010.

For complete American Census data, go here.  An interactive map of state census information is here.

Associate Regional Editor David Mills contributed to this story.