With 46,990 people, Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in California. Home values have more than tripled since 2000, reaching $971,200. That is roughly 54% ahead of the California median. Median household income runs $152,560, well clear of the $82,259 US median. That puts it in the top 2% of US cities for household income. Renters pay $2,625 a month at the median.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $152,560, 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
Unique to this place
What stands out about Rancho Santa Margarita
What changed most since 1990
Population11,390 → 46,990(+313%)US over the same years: +35%
Median age28.6 → 40.9(+12.3 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Homes owned by their occupants79.4% → 72.5%(−6.9 pts)US over the same years: +0.9 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)24.7%(386)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)30.2%(472)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era29.2%(457)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.2%(34)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II1.5%(23)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 1,564 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Rancho Santa Margarita, decade by decade
Rancho Santa Margarita population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
11,390
$122,327
$501,614
38.1%
45.1
2000
47,214
$142,954
$497,130
43.8%
52.8
2010
47,853
$143,457
$868,753
48.3%
63.4
2020
47,949
$151,904
$823,580
48.8%
74.6
2024
46,990
$152,560
$971,200
49.7%
74.4
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
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.
