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CITY · 2020 ACS

Foster City

California · 33,805 residents · 3.787 sq mi
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The short version

Foster City is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $163,322. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 71% 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 $1,399,600. Poverty is rare here, at 3.2% of residents. Households here earn about 108% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
71% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 76%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
33,805
+17%since 2000
from 28,803 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
8,927 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 7,606 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.5
+4%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
28K29K31K33K35K1990201020202024Foster City
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$163,322
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $95,279 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$74,554
+63%since 2000
from $45,754 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
80.0%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 71.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
3.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade10.9%
US avg: 10%
Other services9.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food8.5%
US avg: 2%
Public administration6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Information5.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade1.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,399,600
+76%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $530,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$3,303
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,620 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.8%
−8.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.5% in 2000
47.2% rent
Afford Score
8.6
+54%since 2000
from 5.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Foster City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic55.9%(16,090)
Black2.1%(595)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(1,531)
Asian32.4%(9,339)
Other0%
Diversity Score67.6%(19,464)
2020
White, non-Hispanic31.8%(10,734)
Black1.4%(479)
Hispanic / Latino7.2%(2,421)
Asian53.2%(17,992)
Other5.3%(1,798)
Diversity Score74.8%(25,301)
Diversity Score
75
+11%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
71.4%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 59.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 95.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
36.3%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 24.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.4 min
+78%since 2000
from 18.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.6%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 77.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 67.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
72.4%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
50.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
47.9%
+10.7 ptssince 2009
from 37.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.8%
−94.1 ptssince 2013
from 95.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Foster City

Los Gatos
Pop 32,576
Parkland
Pop 39,186
Saratoga
Pop 30,418
Keystone
Pop 25,858
Places similar to Foster City
Head to head

Compare Foster City to nearby cities

FOSTER CITY VS
San Mateo
Income$153,504−6%
Home value$1,618,700+16%
Population103,337+219%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOSTER CITY VS
Redwood City
Income$157,814−3%
Home value$1,801,700+29%
Population82,178+154%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOSTER CITY VS
Belmont
Income$205,297+26%
Home value$2,000,001+43%
Population28,752−11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOSTER CITY VS
San Carlos
Income$237,470+45%
Home value$2,000,001+43%
Population29,261−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Foster City, California?

Foster City, California has about 33,805 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Foster City, California?

The typical household in Foster City, California earns about $163,322 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Foster City, California expensive?

In Foster City, California, the median home is worth about $1,399,600, and the typical rent is about $3,303 a month.

How educated are people in Foster City, California?

About 71.4% of adults age 25 and over in Foster City, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Foster City, California?

About 3.2% of people in Foster City, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Foster City, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Foster City, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,629 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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

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