El Cajon is a city located in San Diego County, California. With a population of over 100,000 residents, it is one of the largest cities in San Diego County. Here is an overview of El Cajon, including information about its population, economy, major employers, attractions, sports teams, and more.
Population
According to the Wikipedia page for El Cajon, the city has an estimated population of 103,871 as of 2019. It is part of the San Diego metropolitan area, which has over 3 million residents. El Cajon’s population is diverse, with nearly 40% identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Economy and Major Employers
Some of the major industries and employers in El Cajon include:
- Health care – Grossmont Hospital and Sharp Grossmont Hospital provide medical services to the region and employ thousands of workers.
- Manufacturing – Companies like Ball Metal Container Division and Pepsi Bottling Company have manufacturing plants in El Cajon.
- Retail – Major retail centers include Parkway Plaza and Westfield Parkway mall.
- Government services – The city itself is a major employer, as well as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
For more details on the economy and businesses in El Cajon, check out the Economic Development page on the City of El Cajon’s website.
Attractions and Things to Do
Some of the top attractions and activities in El Cajon include:
- Hiking at Mount Helix – This city park features great views and challenging trails.
- Shopping at Westfield Parkway – Large indoor mall with major department stores and over 150 specialty shops.
- Attending events at East County Performing Arts Center – This theater hosts concerts, plays, and other entertainment.
- Exploring local breweries – El Cajon has several microbreweries to sample local beers.
The El Cajon Valley Tourism Bureau website lists additional attractions, events, and deals for visitors.
Sports Teams
El Cajon doesn’t have any major professional sports teams, but there are still options for sports fans:
- San Diego Gulls – This minor league hockey team plays at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, easily accessible from El Cajon.
- San Diego Padres – El Cajon is less than 30 minutes from downtown San Diego where the MLB Padres play.
- El Cajon Valley High School sports – Residents support the local high school football, basketball, and other teams.
Local Government
El Cajon is governed by a Mayor and City Council. The current Mayor is Bill Wells. You can learn more about the city’s government leaders and structure on the City of El Cajon website.