San Diego Population 2026
San Diego has a population of 1,404,452, making it the #8 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in California. Roughly 0.4% of United States's population lives here. It is about 6.3× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
1,404,452
Rank in United States
#8
Coordinates
32.72°N, 117.16°W
~20 m elevation · America/Los_Angeles
Distance to capital (Washington)
3,653 km
2,269 miles, straight line
Other big cities in California
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,820,914 | #2 |
| San Jose | 997,368 | #12 |
| San Francisco | 827,526 | #17 |
| Fresno | 542,107 | #34 |
| Sacramento | 524,943 | #35 |
| Long Beach | 474,140 | #41 |
| Oakland | 419,267 | #45 |
| Bakersfield | 373,640 | #51 |
Cities near San Diego
FAQ
What is the population of San Diego?
San Diego has a population of 1,404,452 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #8 biggest city in United States.
What state is San Diego in?
San Diego is located in California, United States.
Is San Diego the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 3,653 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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