Caltrans Has Own Ideas When It Comes to La Mesa Population

Updated at 10:15 a.m. Friday

What does Caltrans know that the U.S. Census doesn’t?

Earlier this year, the census said La Mesa had a population of 57,065. But more than 180,000 motorists passing the east and west entrances to the city on Interstate 8 daily might think differently.

The signs say: “POP 59,500.”

Where did that come from?

Ed Cartagena, a Caltrans spokesman for the local Division 11, said Thursday: “Population figures are normally based on the most current federal census. However, they may also be based on information from the California Department of Finance, county Board of Supervisors or county Planning Commission.”

Cartagena said the existing La Mesa city limit signs on I-8 were installed in 2004, with each sign panel costing $450.

He said Caltrans replaces the numbers at the city’s request.

Patricia Rutledge, community development program coordinator for the city, says she thinks the sign has always had a higher number than the census, and “I drive by it every day.”

She says the state Department of Finance—as of Jan. 1, 2011—uses the figure 58,041 as La Mesa’s population estimate. The number is important, since it’s used for allocating state funds, she says.

Helen Gao, a spokeswoman for the San Diego Association of Governments, said: “According to our Profile Warehouse, La Mesa’s population as of Jan. 1, 2010, was 58,150.”  She called this an estimate generated by SANDAG.How did Caltrans decide on the elevation—540 feet? 

Cartagena said: “Elevation is based on the one of the following: courthouse, post office, railroad station or benchmark located in the central district of the city.
The Department normally obtains this information from the city when the signs are first established.”