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CITY

Morro Bay

California · 10,613 residents (2025 est.) · 5.338 sq mi
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Part of the San Luis Obispo metro area
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Notable rankings
#184Oldest by median ageof 6,82654.3
The short version

Morro Bay is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $95,843. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $918,200. With a median age of 54.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 54.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 118%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,692
+3%since 2000
from 10,350 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,003 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 1,939 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.3
+19%since 2000
from 45.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:10,613 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K10K11K11K1990201020202024Morro Bay
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$95,843
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,379 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$64,740
+199%since 2000
from $21,687 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
64.3%
+34.7 ptssince 2009
from 29.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.4%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.466
+9%since 2010
from 0.429 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$918,200
+118%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $231,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,858
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $697 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.4%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 55.6% in 2000
34.6% rent
Vacancy rate
21.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.3%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 35.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.6
+42%since 2000
from 6.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
73
RELATED:See current rent listings in Morro Bay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.4%(8,630)
Black0.6%(59)
Hispanic / Latino11.4%(1,183)
Asian1.7%(178)
Other0%
Diversity Score31.1%(3,214)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.7%(8,305)
Black0.4%(41)
Hispanic / Latino13.5%(1,443)
Asian2.8%(298)
Other5.7%(605)
Diversity Score46.8%(5,005)
Diversity Score
47
+51%since 2000
from 31 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.5%
+20.7 ptssince 2000
from 27.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.4%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
23.1%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+44%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.8%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
21.7%
+16.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2011
from 5.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 59.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.4%
−20.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
6.1%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.6%
−38.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.0%
+5.6 ptssince 2012
from 10.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.3%
−80.0 ptssince 2013
from 82.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+13.9 ptssince 2017
from 80.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.3%
+4.9 ptssince 2016
from 85.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.2%
−3.5 ptssince 2016
from 9.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Morro Bay to nearby cities

MORRO BAY VS
Los Osos
Income$108,932+14%
Home value$805,800−12%
Population14,166+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Atascadero
Income$91,429−5%
Home value$716,500−22%
Population29,464+178%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
San Luis Obispo
Income$73,685−23%
Home value$935,100+2%
Population50,636+377%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Templeton
Income$117,063+22%
Home value$810,400−12%
Population9,580−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Morro Bay, California?

Morro Bay, California has about 10,692 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Morro Bay, California?

The typical household in Morro Bay, California earns about $95,843 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Morro Bay, California expensive?

In Morro Bay, California, the median home is worth about $918,200, and the typical rent is about $1,858 a month.

How educated are people in Morro Bay, California?

About 48.5% of adults age 25 and over in Morro Bay, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Morro Bay, California?

About 8.4% of people in Morro Bay, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Morro Bay, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Morro Bay, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 890 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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

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