CensusEasy
CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Morro Bay

California · 9,802 residents · 5.338 sq mi
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The short version

Morro Bay has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $26,049. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value is $223,100. With a median age of 42.2, the population is older than the US median of 33.0. Households here earn about 27% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 42.2
US median: 33.0
Average education
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,802
−5%vs 2000
vs 10,350 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
42.2
−8%vs 2000
vs 45.7 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K10K11K11K1990201020202024Morro Bay
202411K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 54.6%(447)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 94.5%(440)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 144.7%(461)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 194.2%(407)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 246.6%(646)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 3414.3%(1,399)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4415.3%(1,503)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 548.4%(821)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 6410.7%(1,052)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 7415.4%(1,506)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 848.4%(827)
US avg: 4%
85 and over3%(293)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,049
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $34,379 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,731
−27%vs 2000
vs $21,687 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
10.2%
−2.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 13.0% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$223,100
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $231,400 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$581
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $697 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
55.5%
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 55.6% in 2000
44.5% rent
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%
1990
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(9,107)
Black0.8%(79)
Hispanic / Latino8.1%(793)
Asian1.9%(186)
Other4.4%(430)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican12.2%(1,307)
Spaniard0.4%(44)
Puerto Rican0.2%(17)
Panamanian0.1%(12)
Colombian0.1%(8)
Asian origin
Asian Indian0.9%(94)
Filipino0.6%(69)
Vietnamese0.5%(55)
Chinese0.4%(39)
Taiwanese0.2%(26)
Korean0.2%(18)
Japanese0.1%(13)
Ancestry
English22.8%(2,435)
German18.5%(1,981)
Irish14.8%(1,579)
Italian5.2%(561)
Scottish4.9%(529)
Norwegian2.8%(301)
American2.5%(271)
Croatian2.3%(242)
Serbian2.1%(223)
Dutch2%(215)
French1.9%(207)
Danish1.9%(203)
+ 25 more ancestry groups with data
Scotch-Irish1.9%(200)
Welsh1.8%(195)
Portuguese1.8%(194)
Swedish1.6%(166)
Polish1.5%(162)
Russian1.2%(130)
Swiss0.7%(76)
Ukrainian0.6%(69)
British0.6%(67)
Armenian0.5%(55)
Czech0.3%(37)
Hungarian0.3%(37)
Lithuanian0.3%(27)
Belgian0.2%(20)
Iranian0.2%(20)
Greek0.2%(19)
Romanian0.1%(14)
Arab0.1%(13)
Lebanese0.1%(13)
Latvian0.1%(13)
Canadian0.1%(11)
West Indian0.1%(10)
Slovak0%(5)
Slovene0%(5)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest Mexican population · Largest Italian population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.6%
−6.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 27.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
83.4%
−7.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 90.5% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
7.0%
−3.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 10.6% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.3 min
+48%vs 2000
vs 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married24%(1,166)
Married56.8%(2,760)
Widowed8.3%(402)
Divorced10.9%(529)
Women 15+
Never married21.4%(1,036)
Married55%(2,659)
Widowed10.8%(521)
Divorced12.9%(622)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

Places similar to Morro Bay

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Pop 10,486
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Pop 10,756
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Pop 10,292
Laurel
Pop 11,741
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Head to head

Compare Morro Bay to nearby cities

MORRO BAY VS
Los Osos
Income$108,932+318%
Home value$805,800+261%
Population14,166+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Atascadero
Income$91,429+251%
Home value$716,500+221%
Population29,464+178%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
San Luis Obispo
Income$73,685+183%
Home value$935,100+319%
Population50,636+377%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Templeton
Income$117,063+349%
Home value$810,400+263%
Population9,580−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Morro Bay, California?

Morro Bay, California has about 9,802 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Morro Bay, California earns about $26,049 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 $223,100, and the typical rent is about $581 a month.

How educated are people in Morro Bay, California?

About 21.6% 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 10.2% of people in Morro Bay, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

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