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CITY · 2020 ACS

Carmel-by-the-Sea

California · 3,220 residents · 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 $101,696. Population has fallen 21% since 2000, a loss of 861 residents. 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $1,542,000. With a median age of 63.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 29% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 63.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
73% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,220
−21%since 2000
from 4,081 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,035 / sq mi
−21%since 2000
from 3,846 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
63.0
+16%since 2000
from 54.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Carmel-by-the-Sea
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$101,696
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,163 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$83,392
+71%since 2000
from $48,739 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
58.2%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
1.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information36.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food5.1%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade2%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,542,000
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $660,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,231
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,120 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 57.0% in 2000
39.5% rent
Afford Score
15.2
+34%since 2000
from 11.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Diversity Score13.5%(552)
2020
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(2,793)
Black0.4%(13)
Hispanic / Latino6%(192)
Asian3.2%(104)
Other4.8%(156)
Diversity Score32.3%(1,039)
Diversity Score
32
+139%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
72.6%
+17.9 ptssince 2000
from 54.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 97.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
25.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 24.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.1 min
+34%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
52.5%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.1%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 54.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
56.8%
−25.6 ptssince 2009
from 82.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
Female
54.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
Foreign born
14.8%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
0.0%
−86.6 ptssince 2013
from 86.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Carmel-by-the-Sea to nearby cities

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CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA VS
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CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA VS
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CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA VS
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Frequently asked

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California has about 3,220 residents according to the 2020 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 $101,696 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 $1,542,000, and the typical rent is about $2,231 a month.

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

About 72.6% 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 1.4% 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 891 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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