Explore Lemon Grove local geography, civic resources and voter guides, with dated official population and registration facts for San Diego County.
At a glance: Lemon Grove is an incorporated city in San Diego County. Population: 28,233 (California Department of Finance estimate as of January 1, 2026). Registered voters: 16,911 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
Lemon Grove is an inland city in southwestern San Diego County, roughly nine miles from downtown San Diego according to the city’s own description. The city identifies July 1, 1977 as its incorporation date — a historical fact — and describes a City Council with a council-appointed City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney. The city’s About Us page distinguishes its service arrangements: fire services are provided through the Heartland Fire and Rescue joint powers authority, while law enforcement is contracted with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Shared or contracted services like these do not merge Lemon Grove with its neighbors; it remains a separate municipality. The City Clerk’s office prepares City Council and Planning Commission agendas, preserves minutes, ordinances and resolutions, maintains the Municipal Code, serves as custodian of official records, coordinates public-records requests, administers municipal elections with county and state partners, and manages required political disclosure filings. The city’s parks page lists municipal parks including Berry Street Park and Treganza Heritage Park.
The city identifies July 1, 1977 as its incorporation date.
Fire services come through the Heartland Fire and Rescue joint powers authority, and law enforcement is contracted with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Both are listed on the city’s official Parks page.
16,911 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
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