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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rancho Santa Margarita

California · 47,949 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 $125,329. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 49% 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 $679,500. Poverty is rare here, at 5.0% of residents. Households here earn about 59% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
49% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 66%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,949
+2%since 2000
from 47,214 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,709 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 3,652 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.0
+25%since 2000
from 31.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K19K30K42K53K1990201020202024Rancho Santa Margarita
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$125,329
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,475 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$54,013
+71%since 2000
from $31,531 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
72.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12%
US avg: 10%
Other services10.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Information9.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration7.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing5%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$679,500
+66%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $272,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,133
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,110 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.6%
−8.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
30.4% rent
Afford Score
5.4
+56%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic58.2%(27,930)
Black1.6%(761)
Hispanic / Latino21.5%(10,297)
Asian11.9%(5,711)
Other5.6%(2,667)
Diversity Score73.4%(35,186)
Diversity Score
73
+55%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.8%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 43.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 95.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.2 min
+27%since 2000
from 23.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.6%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.2%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 5.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
73.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 74.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
49.7%
−24.0 ptssince 2009
from 73.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
51.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
18.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.9%
−88.1 ptssince 2013
from 92.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rancho Santa Margarita

Coral Gables
Pop 49,578
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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+95%
Home value$1,535,600+126%
Population15,190−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Mission Viejo
Income$136,123+9%
Home value$1,009,600+49%
Population90,484+98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Lake Forest
Income$135,175+8%
Home value$937,000+38%
Population86,333+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VS
Ladera Ranch
Income$184,458+47%
Home value$1,151,000+69%
Population23,793−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

Rancho Santa Margarita, California has about 47,949 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rancho Santa Margarita, California earns about $125,329 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 $679,500, and the typical rent is about $2,133 a month.

How educated are people in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?

About 48.8% 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 5.0% 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 36,559 residents, a change of about 321 percent over that period.

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

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