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CITY

Rancho Santa Margarita

California · 45,779 residents (2025 est.) · 12.928 sq mi
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Part of the Los Angeles metro area
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Notable rankings
#282Most expensive homesof 6,786$971,200
The short version

Rancho Santa Margarita is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $152,560. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $971,200. Poverty is rare here, at 5.7% of residents. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
50% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 95%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
46,990
Unchangedsince 2000
from 47,214 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,635 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3,652 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.9
+28%since 2000
from 31.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:45,779 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K19K30K42K53K1990201020202024Rancho Santa Margarita
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$152,560
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,475 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$65,824
+109%since 2000
from $31,531 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
77.4%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.390
+5%since 2010
from 0.372 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services9.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Information8.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration6.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$971,200
+95%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $272,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,625
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,110 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.5%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
27.5% rent
Vacancy rate
2.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.3%
−23.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.4
+83%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rancho Santa Margarita on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.4%(35,132)
Black1.7%(787)
Hispanic / Latino13%(6,139)
Asian7.3%(3,440)
Other0%
Diversity Score47.4%(22,399)
2024
White, non-Hispanic58.5%(27,497)
Black1.5%(704)
Hispanic / Latino20.3%(9,536)
Asian12.4%(5,839)
Other7.3%(3,414)
Diversity Score74.4%(34,975)
Diversity Score
74
+57%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
49.7%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 43.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 95.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
17.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.2 min
+14%since 2000
from 23.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
64.7%
−18.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
25.4%
+18.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.9%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 74.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
57.7%
−16.1 ptssince 2009
from 73.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
22.4%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.3%
−44.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2012
from 4.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.0%
−87.0 ptssince 2013
from 92.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2017
from 93.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
72.2%
−5.1 ptssince 2016
from 77.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
12.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 11.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rancho Santa Margarita

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Pop 49,578
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Pop 41,266
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Pop 35,877
Lakewood Ranch
Pop 43,945
Places similar to Rancho Santa Margarita
Head to head

Compare Rancho Santa Margarita to nearby cities

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Coto de Caza
Income$243,816+60%
Home value$1,535,600+58%
Population15,190−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Mission Viejo
Income$136,123−11%
Home value$1,009,600+4%
Population90,484+98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Lake Forest
Income$135,175−11%
Home value$937,000−4%
Population86,333+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Ladera Ranch
Income$184,458+21%
Home value$1,151,000+19%
Population23,793−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

Rancho Santa Margarita, California has about 46,990 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

The typical household in Rancho Santa Margarita, California earns about $152,560 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rancho Santa Margarita, California expensive?

In Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the median home is worth about $971,200, and the typical rent is about $2,625 a month.

How educated are people in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

About 49.7% of adults age 25 and over in Rancho Santa Margarita, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

About 5.7% of people in Rancho Santa Margarita, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rancho Santa Margarita, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Rancho Santa Margarita, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 35,600 residents, a change of about 313 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →