Scripps Ranch at a glance
- Where: east of Interstate 15, north of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and west of the City of Poway. City Council District 5.
- Planning: the Scripps Miramar Ranch Community Plan was adopted July 18, 1978. The neighboring Miramar Ranch North area has its own plan, and two elected groups advise the City.
- ZIP code: 92131. See the 92131 ZIP data page.
- Typical home value: $1,357,251 in September 2026 (Zillow neighborhood index), 1.8% below the August 2024 peak of $1,381,481.
- Median sale price: $1,318,613 across 63 sales in the three months to September 2026, down 4.8% (Redfin, ZIP 92131).
- ZIP 92131 Census figures: population 35,503, median household income $185,256, median rent $3,326 (ACS 2020-2024).
Is Scripps Ranch a good area to live?
It depends what you want from a neighborhood, so start with the facts. Scripps Ranch is mainly detached homes around a reservoir, with eucalyptus-lined roads, City parks and San Diego Unified schools. Four in five homes are owner-occupied, the highest share of the six San Diego neighborhoods California Housing Prices covers. Prices dipped slightly in the past year and supply rose to 3.4 months, so buyers have a bit more room than in Carmel Valley or Rancho Peñasquitos.
The main risk to understand is wildfire. The 2003 Cedar Fire destroyed more than 300 homes in south Scripps Ranch. For crime data, use official sources with the method explained, as set out in the guide to official California crime data.
What Scripps Ranch is known for
The name goes back to E.W. Scripps, the newspaper publisher, who with his half-sister Ellen Browning Scripps bought 400 acres here for $5,000 in the 1890s and later grew the holding to 2,100 acres. He named his home there Miramar. Mature eucalyptus trees, most visible along Pomerado Road, remain a feature of the community.
Miramar Reservoir sits at the center of the community. The City notes the eucalyptus and hiking trails around it, and the reservoir is used for boating and fishing. Local groups are active: the Scripps Ranch Civic Association publishes a community newsletter, and two elected planning groups review projects.
Several colleges are here or nearby, including Alliant International University, John Paul the Great Catholic University and National University.
Scripps Ranch homes and prices
Redfin medians for ZIP 92131, three months to September 2026:
| Home type | Median sale price | Change in a year | Sales | Months of supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | $1,599,597 | -2.6% | 37 | 2.7 |
| Townhouse | $773,001 | -8.0% | 13 | 3.4 |
| Condo | $590,983 | -12.5% | 13 | 5.0 |
Single-family homes in Scripps Ranch
Detached homes sold for a median $1,599,597, or $680 per square foot, and went under contract in 24 days. Because more than 300 homes were lost in 2003, some streets mix original houses with homes rebuilt after the fire. Ask the seller when the home was built or rebuilt and request permit records.
Scripps Ranch townhouses
Townhouses had 13 sales at a median $773,001, about half the price of a detached house, with HOA dues on top. Supply of 3.4 months gives buyers time to compare complexes.
Scripps Ranch condos
Condos had 5.0 months of supply, which is balanced to buyer-leaning, and the median fell 12.5% on 13 sales. Read the HOA budget and the master insurance policy, including what it covers and when it renews.
Living in Scripps Ranch
Shops and dining in Scripps Ranch
Shopping is in a few local centers rather than along a main street, with more choice in neighboring Mira Mesa and the City of Poway. Visit the centers nearest the home you are considering.
Parks and Lake Miramar
The reservoir's shoreline, with its eucalyptus and trails, is the main outdoor space, and the City describes the wider Scripps Ranch area as having some of its most scenic parks. Check the City's reservoir page for current hours and boating rules.
Schools lookup for Scripps Ranch addresses
Unlike neighboring Rancho Peñasquitos, Scripps Ranch is in San Diego Unified. Dingeman, Ellen Browning Scripps, Jerabek and Miramar Ranch elementary schools, Thurgood Marshall Middle and Scripps Ranch High are located in the community. Enter the address in the San Diego Unified School Finder, confirm with the school, and compare schools on the California School Dashboard.
Getting around Scripps Ranch
Interstate 15 runs along the west side, with Downtown to the south. MTS Rapid 235 stops at the Miramar College Transit Station on its run between Escondido and Downtown San Diego. MCAS Miramar lies to the south; if aircraft noise matters to you, visit at different times of day.
Costs of owning in Scripps Ranch
Wildfire zones and insurance in Scripps Ranch
The City's account of the Cedar Fire names Scripps Ranch and Tierrasanta as the hardest-hit communities, and inside the city 335 structures were destroyed. Expect insurers to look closely at roof, vents and defensible space. Check the address on the City's fire zone map, which was updated in 2025, and read the California fire zones guide for what each zone requires.
HOA dues and Mello-Roos in Scripps Ranch
Some tracts have HOAs, and some parcels may carry special assessments. Get the HOA documents and the latest tax bill, and look for any Community Facilities District line.
Property tax in Scripps Ranch
At the 92131 detached median of $1,599,597, the 1% Prop 13 base is about $15,996 a year before local bonds. The San Diego County property tax guide shows the full bill.
Pros and cons of Scripps Ranch
Pro: A reservoir at the center
Miramar Reservoir and its trails sit inside the community rather than a drive away.
Pro: Mostly owner-occupied streets
At 80.1% owner-occupied, ZIP 92131 has fewer rentals than most of San Diego.
Pro: More room to negotiate than nearby areas
Supply of 3.4 months and 25.8% of sales above list point to a market that is still seller-leaning but less frantic.
Con: Wildfire history and premiums
The 2003 losses still shape insurance, building rules and brush clearance.
Con: Car-dependent and inland
The coast is a freeway drive away, and transit is mainly express buses on I-15.
Con: Neighbors with flight paths
MCAS Miramar to the south brings aircraft activity that some buyers notice.
For a read on specific streets and rebuilt homes, talk to our featured local agent for Scripps Ranch.