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CITY · 2020 ACS

Morro Bay

California · 10,757 residents · 5.338 sq mi
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The short version

Morro Bay is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $73,864. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $651,400. With a median age of 54.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 54.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 87%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,757
+4%since 2000
from 10,350 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,015 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 1,939 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
54.6
+19%since 2000
from 45.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K10K11K11K1990201020202024Morro Bay
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,864
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,379 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,579
+96%since 2000
from $21,687 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
49.5%
+19.8 ptssince 2009
from 29.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.6%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information17.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6.7%
US avg: 10%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$651,400
+87%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $231,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,579
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $697 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 55.6% in 2000
43.7% rent
Afford Score
8.8
+31%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic74%(7,960)
Black0.7%(75)
Hispanic / Latino16.6%(1,788)
Asian2.9%(311)
Other2.9%(316)
Diversity Score48.6%(5,226)
Diversity Score
49
+56%since 2000
from 31 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.6%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 27.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
21.2%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+60%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.6%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 5.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 59.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.6%
−31.2 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.2%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
52.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.8%
−78.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Morro Bay

Bithlo
Pop 10,486
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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+47%
Home value$805,800+24%
Population14,166+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Atascadero
Income$91,429+24%
Home value$716,500+10%
Population29,464+178%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
San Luis Obispo
Income$73,685same
Home value$935,100+44%
Population50,636+377%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORRO BAY VS
Templeton
Income$117,063+58%
Home value$810,400+24%
Population9,580−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Morro Bay, California?

Morro Bay, California has about 10,757 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Morro Bay, California earns about $73,864 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 $651,400, and the typical rent is about $1,579 a month.

How educated are people in Morro Bay, California?

About 43.6% 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 8.6% 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 955 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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

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