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CITY · 2020 ACS

Half Moon Bay

California · 11,795 residents · 6.242 sq mi
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The short version

Half Moon Bay is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $131,233. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 53% 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 $1,155,000. With a median age of 47.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 67% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
53% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,795
Unchangedsince 2000
from 11,842 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,890 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1,897 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
47.6
+23%since 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K10K11K12K13K1990201020202024Half Moon Bay
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$131,233
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,473 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$70,090
+85%since 2000
from $37,963 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
71.7%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information8.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade6.2%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,155,000
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $457,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,928
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,269 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.7%
−6.7 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
31.3% rent
Afford Score
8.8
+51%since 2000
from 5.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Half Moon Bay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.6%(7,882)
Black3.8%(448)
Hispanic / Latino23.2%(2,751)
Asian3.3%(391)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.5%(6,924)
2020
White, non-Hispanic58.9%(6,948)
Black0.7%(78)
Hispanic / Latino29.7%(3,504)
Asian5.9%(699)
Other4.4%(516)
Diversity Score69.4%(8,191)
Diversity Score
69
+19%since 2000
from 58 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
53.3%
+17.8 ptssince 2000
from 35.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.3%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
23.5%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.3 min
+32%since 2000
from 23.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 70.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.3%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 68.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
54.4%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.1%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
53.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
22.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 25.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.2%
−86.2 ptssince 2013
from 89.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Half Moon Bay to nearby cities

HALF MOON BAY VS
Hillsborough
Income$250,001+91%
Home value$2,000,001+73%
Population11,206−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HALF MOON BAY VS
Belmont
Income$205,297+56%
Home value$2,000,001+73%
Population28,752+155%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HALF MOON BAY VS
Millbrae
Income$163,476+25%
Home value$1,934,900+68%
Population22,869+103%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HALF MOON BAY VS
Burlingame
Income$174,000+33%
Home value$2,000,001+73%
Population31,929+183%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Half Moon Bay, California?

Half Moon Bay, California has about 11,795 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Half Moon Bay, California?

The typical household in Half Moon Bay, California earns about $131,233 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Half Moon Bay, California expensive?

In Half Moon Bay, California, the median home is worth about $1,155,000, and the typical rent is about $1,928 a month.

How educated are people in Half Moon Bay, California?

About 53.3% of adults age 25 and over in Half Moon Bay, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Half Moon Bay, California?

About 7.6% of people in Half Moon Bay, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Half Moon Bay, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Half Moon Bay, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,909 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.

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

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