CensusEasy
CITY · 2010 ACS

Morro Bay

California · 10,234 residents · 5.338 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the San Luis Obispo metro area
Compare
The short version

Morro Bay has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $53,585. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $569,600. With a median age of 48.9, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 48.9
US median: 37.2
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 94%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,234
−1%since 2000
from 10,350 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,917 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,939 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
48.9
+7%since 2000
from 45.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K10K11K11K1990201020202024Morro Bay
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,585
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,379 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,583
+46%since 2000
from $21,687 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
32.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 29.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
11.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.429
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$569,600
+94%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $231,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,094
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $697 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
32.4%
−23.1 ptssince 2000
from 55.6% in 2000
46.7% rent
Vacancy rate
24.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 25.4% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
33.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 35.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
52.2%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
10.6
+58%since 2000
from 6.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic79.4%(8,123)
Black0.4%(39)
Hispanic / Latino14.9%(1,526)
Asian2.5%(251)
Other1.2%(118)
Diversity Score40.5%(4,142)
Diversity Score
40
+30%since 2000
from 31 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 27.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
12.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+48%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
74.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
8.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
6.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
3.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
19.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
36.9%
−28.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
51.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
11.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
14.8%
−34.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Morro Bay

Bithlo
Pop 10,486
Lighthouse Point
Pop 10,756
Bardmoor
Pop 10,292
Laurel
Pop 11,741
Places similar to Morro Bay
Head to head

Compare Morro Bay to nearby cities

MORRO BAY VS
Los Osos
Income$108,932+103%
Home value$805,800+41%
Population14,166+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Atascadero
Income$91,429+71%
Home value$716,500+26%
Population29,464+178%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
San Luis Obispo
Income$73,685+38%
Home value$935,100+64%
Population50,636+377%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Templeton
Income$117,063+118%
Home value$810,400+42%
Population9,580−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Morro Bay, California?

Morro Bay, California has about 10,234 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Morro Bay, California earns about $53,585 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 $569,600, and the typical rent is about $1,094 a month.

How educated are people in Morro Bay, California?

About 30.5% 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 11.6% 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 432 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
California
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Morro Bay with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →