Representative Jim Costa, Democratic from California

Jim Costa

California's 21st congressional district

CA-21 Midterms Intelligence

Costa is a 20-year Democratic fixture in a Central Valley seat that still behaves like a swing district: D+5 on paper, but rated 95% competitive with a recent R shift of +3. The defining electorate is young and heavily Latino (64.9% Hispanic; median age 31.9), layered over an economy anchored by farmwork and food processing. Costa’s Agriculture and Foreign Affairs posts reinforce his brand as a pragmatic deliverer on water, trade, and labor-dependent growth, not a culture-war Democrat.

For advocates, the leverage point is economic insecurity: 18.0% poverty and 28.4% SNAP create receptivity to pocketbook and access frames. Campaigns win by tying policy to irrigation reliability, food prices, and healthcare affordability, while signaling respect for farm jobs and small business. The strategic twist is turnout and persuasion: mobilize younger Latino voters while inoculating against “Democrats don’t get the Valley” attacks by centering local deliverables over national messaging.

Representative Jim Costa represents California's 21st congressional district, serving 758,000 constituents. The district has an estimated median household income of $64,764 and an unemployment rate of 10.1%.

Economic & Demographic Snapshot

758,000Population
↓ 893
$64,764Median Incomenat'l $37,585
↑ $6,814
10.1%Unemploymentnat'l 3.5%
↑ 0.4%
18%Poverty Ratenat'l 12.4%
↓ 1.3%
52.1%Homeownershipnat'l 65.5%
→ no change
$1,293Median Rentnat'l $1,163
↑ $163
1.0%Public Transitnat'l 5%
→ no change
23.3 minMean Commutenat'l 26.4 min
↑ 0.4 min

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021 vs. 2019-2023). All figures are statistical estimates with 90% confidence level.

California District 21 Demographics

Median Age 31.9 (vs 38.5) · Homeownership 52.1% (vs 65.5%) · Bachelor’s+ 17.2% (vs 33.7%) · Poverty 18% (vs 12.4%) · Income $64,764 (vs $37,585)

Key Issues for This District
Economic inequalityImmigration policyEducation accessWorkforce developmentFood security

Age Distribution

Skews younger than the national average (median age 31.9 vs 38.5 nationally). 30% of residents are in the 20–39 working-age bracket — housing affordability, student debt, and workforce messaging indexes high.

Race & Ethnicity

A majority-minority district. Hispanic residents are the largest group at 64.9%. Also significant: White (29.3%).

* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Racial categories include both Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals.

Education

Only 17.2% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, significantly below the 33.7% national average. 25.7% of residents lack a high school diploma.

Income Distribution

Median household income is $64,764, well above the $37,585 national median.

Housing

Homeownership at 52.1% (vs 65.5% nationally). Median rent is $1,293. Median home value is $334,100.

How People Get to Work

Car-dependent: 72.7% drive alone to work. Average commute is 23.3 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Data represents 5-year statistical estimates for increased reliability.

California District 21 FAQ

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