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CITY · 2020 ACS

Pacifica

California · 38,640 residents · 12.583 sq mi
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The short version

Pacifica is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $130,466. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 47% 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 $943,500. Poverty is rare here, at 4.3% of residents. Households here earn about 66% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
47% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 71%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
38,640
+1%since 2000
from 38,390 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,071 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 3,051 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.7
+14%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
37K37K38K39K39K1990201020202024Pacifica
202437K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$130,466
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,737 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$54,053
+79%since 2000
from $30,183 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
72.1%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$943,500
+71%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $366,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,535
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,261 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 68.6% in 2000
32.2% rent
Afford Score
7.2
+42%since 2000
from 5.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Pacifica on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic61.3%(23,549)
Black3.2%(1,219)
Hispanic / Latino14.6%(5,609)
Asian15%(5,765)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.6%(25,183)
2020
White, non-Hispanic48.5%(18,742)
Black1.8%(684)
Hispanic / Latino19.1%(7,363)
Asian21.2%(8,186)
Other7.3%(2,809)
Diversity Score82.9%(32,032)
Diversity Score
83
+26%since 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.7%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 33.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 91.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
17.7%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.1 min
+44%since 2000
from 21.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
68.8%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 74.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 7.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 71.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
52.0%
−15.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
20.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.1%
−89.3 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Pacifica to nearby cities

PACIFICA VS
San Bruno
Income$141,272+8%
Home value$1,207,500+28%
Population42,305+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PACIFICA VS
Millbrae
Income$163,476+25%
Home value$1,934,900+105%
Population22,869−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PACIFICA VS
Daly City
Income$123,547−5%
Home value$1,115,000+18%
Population101,261+174%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PACIFICA VS
Burlingame
Income$174,000+33%
Home value$2,000,001+112%
Population31,929−13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Pacifica, California?

Pacifica, California has about 38,640 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Pacifica, California?

The typical household in Pacifica, California earns about $130,466 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Pacifica, California expensive?

In Pacifica, California, the median home is worth about $943,500, and the typical rent is about $2,535 a month.

How educated are people in Pacifica, California?

About 46.7% of adults age 25 and over in Pacifica, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Pacifica, California?

About 4.3% of people in Pacifica, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Pacifica, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Pacifica, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 970 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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

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