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CITY

Carmel-by-the-Sea

California · 3,105 residents (2025 est.) · 1.061 sq mi
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The short version

Carmel-by-the-Sea is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $129,250. Population has fallen 23% since 2000, a loss of 919 residents. 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $2,000,001. With a median age of 68.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 68.5
US median: 38.9
More educated
73% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 66%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,162
−23%since 2000
from 4,081 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,980 / sq mi
−18%since 2009
from 3,651 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
68.5
+26%since 2000
from 54.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,105 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Carmel-by-the-Sea
20243K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 50%(0)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 91.7%(54)
US avg: 6%
10 to 141.2%(38)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 190.8%(24)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 240%(0)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 348.4%(267)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 443.9%(122)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 548.9%(280)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6417.2%(544)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7435.1%(1,109)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 8416.9%(533)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over6%(191)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$129,250
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,163 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$95,579
+96%since 2000
from $48,739 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
63.4%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.522
−1%since 2010
from 0.526 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information29.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Retail trade1.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance1.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade0.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$2,000,001
+66%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $660,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,707
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,120 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 57.0% in 2000
39.9% rent
Vacancy rate
53.0%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.9%
−9.4 ptssince 2009
from 32.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.3%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 43.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
15.5
+21%since 2009
from 12.8 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
69
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carmel-by-the-Sea on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(3,783)
Black0.4%(18)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(120)
Asian2.2%(88)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.7%(2,678)
Black1%(32)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(143)
Asian1.6%(52)
Other8.1%(257)
Diversity Score
34
−22%since 2009
from 44 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Salvadoran1.2%(39)
Mexican1.2%(38)
Cuban0.4%(12)
Asian origin
Asian Indian0.8%(25)
Chinese0.7%(22)
Vietnamese0.2%(5)
Ancestry
English20.1%(635)
German19.4%(615)
Irish15.7%(495)
Norwegian8.6%(272)
Scottish7%(221)
West Indian5.2%(166)
Jamaican5.2%(166)
Italian5.2%(164)
Danish5.2%(163)
Croatian3.6%(114)
Polish3.6%(113)
Russian2.6%(81)
+ 13 more ancestry groups with data
Dutch2.5%(79)
American1.8%(58)
Swedish1.6%(50)
British1.5%(47)
Czech1.3%(41)
French1.1%(34)
Greek0.9%(27)
Slovak0.8%(24)
Arab0.7%(23)
Swiss0.4%(14)
Austrian0.4%(13)
Welsh0.4%(13)
Turkish0.3%(9)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest Norwegian population · Largest Scottish population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
72.9%
+18.2 ptssince 2000
from 54.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 97.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
23.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 24.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.9 min
−24%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
47.6%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
32.9%
+20.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.1%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2011
from 54.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
62.8%
−19.7 ptssince 2009
from 82.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
Female
56.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
Foreign born
12.0%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−38.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.5%
+5.3 ptssince 2012
from 9.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.5%
−86.1 ptssince 2013
from 86.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.7%
+13.9 ptssince 2017
from 83.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.5%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 90.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 6.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married15.1%(197)
Married69%(899)
Widowed2.1%(28)
Divorced13.7%(179)
Women 15+
Never married17.5%(309)
Married58.3%(1,030)
Widowed8.7%(154)
Divorced15.5%(274)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California?

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California has about 3,162 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California?

The typical household in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California earns about $129,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea, California expensive?

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, the median home is worth about $2,000,001, and the typical rent is about $2,707 a month.

How educated are people in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California?

About 72.9% of adults age 25 and over in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California?

About 6.2% of people in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Carmel-by-the-Sea, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 949 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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