Housing is outpacing population growth, but there's a catch
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Housing growth outpaced population gains over the last decade in San Diego and across the nation. But affordability remains a huge roadblock for many would-be homebuyers.
Why it matters: Housing remains a key topic for local voters, as prices stay out of reach for many and homelessness continues to be a major issue.
By the numbers: The number of housing units in the San Diego metro area increased by 7.1% between 2014 and 2024.
- That's less than the nationwide increase of 9.5%, per U.S. Census Bureau data.
- San Diego's population only grew by 1.1% over the same period, while nationwide it grew by 6.7%.
- Population growth is driven by natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration.
San Diego's population has been shrinking since 2020 as more people move away.
Yes, but: That only tells part of the story — just because housing exists doesn't mean it's affordable.
- San Diego home prices rose nearly 40% from mid-2019 to mid-2025, per data from Redfin.
Stunning stat: Over the last five years, one in six prospective homebuyers has given up because they couldn't find a house they liked or could afford, a recent Bankrate survey found.