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CITY · 2010 ACS

Rancho Santa Margarita

California · 47,853 residents · 12.928 sq mi
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The short version

Rancho Santa Margarita is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $99,722. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $603,900. Poverty is rare here, at 3.5% of residents. Households here earn about 64% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.0
US median: 37.2
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 75%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,853
+1%since 2000
from 47,214 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,702 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 3,652 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.0
+13%since 2000
from 31.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K19K30K42K53K1990201020202024Rancho Santa Margarita
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$99,722
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,475 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,438
+28%since 2000
from $31,531 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
66.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
3.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.372
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade12.8%
US avg: 10.9%
Information11.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services11.1%
US avg: 7%
Public administration7.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$603,900
+75%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $272,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,623
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,110 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
67.4%
−10.9 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
28.6% rent
Vacancy rate
2.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
49.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.1
+74%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic67%(32,054)
Black1.6%(788)
Hispanic / Latino18.6%(8,902)
Asian8.9%(4,268)
Other3%(1,437)
Diversity Score62.4%(29,858)
Diversity Score
62
+32%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.3%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 43.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
95.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 95.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
15.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.5 min
+20%since 2000
from 23.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
83.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
6.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
3.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
49.4%
−24.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
51.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
15.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.0%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rancho Santa Margarita

Coral Gables
Pop 49,578
Milton
Pop 41,266
Fruit Cove
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+144%
Home value$1,535,600+154%
Population15,190−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Mission Viejo
Income$136,123+37%
Home value$1,009,600+67%
Population90,484+98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Lake Forest
Income$135,175+36%
Home value$937,000+55%
Population86,333+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Ladera Ranch
Income$184,458+85%
Home value$1,151,000+91%
Population23,793−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

Rancho Santa Margarita, California has about 47,853 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rancho Santa Margarita, California earns about $99,722 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 $603,900, and the typical rent is about $1,623 a month.

How educated are people in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

About 48.3% 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 3.5% 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 36,463 residents, a change of about 320 percent over that period.

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

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