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CITY · 2020 ACS

San Carlos

California · 30,722 residents · 5.412 sq mi
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The short version

San Carlos is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $189,739. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $1,756,800. Poverty is rare here, at 3.2% of residents. Households here earn about 141% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
68% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 93%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
30,722
+11%since 2000
from 27,718 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,677 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 5,122 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+6%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
26K27K28K30K31K1990201020202024San Carlos
202430K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$189,739
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,460 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$95,211
+104%since 2000
from $46,628 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
82.1%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
3.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade10%
US avg: 10%
Other services9%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food9%
US avg: 2%
Information6.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.3%
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
$1,756,800
+93%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $607,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,423
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,181 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.9%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.7% in 2000
30.1% rent
Afford Score
9.3
+35%since 2000
from 6.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Carlos on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.2%(22,234)
Black0.7%(193)
Hispanic / Latino7.7%(2,133)
Asian7.8%(2,155)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.8%(10,200)
2020
White, non-Hispanic60.9%(18,722)
Black0.8%(259)
Hispanic / Latino11.1%(3,416)
Asian18.9%(5,821)
Other7.7%(2,379)
Diversity Score71.4%(21,921)
Diversity Score
71
+94%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
68.3%
+18.5 ptssince 2000
from 49.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.4%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 94.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
35.2%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.0 min
+65%since 2000
from 17.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
68.8%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
72.8%
+4.2 ptssince 2011
from 68.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
68.5%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
21.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.6%
−92.1 ptssince 2013
from 93.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to San Carlos

Saratoga
Pop 30,418
Los Gatos
Pop 32,576
Parkland
Pop 39,186
Pinecrest
Pop 18,635
Places similar to San Carlos
Head to head

Compare San Carlos to nearby cities

SAN CARLOS VS
Belmont
Income$205,297+8%
Home value$2,000,001+14%
Population28,752−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN CARLOS VS
Redwood City
Income$157,814−17%
Home value$1,801,700+3%
Population82,178+181%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN CARLOS VS
North Fair Oaks
Income$104,884−45%
Home value$1,276,900−27%
Population13,100−55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN CARLOS VS
Foster City
Income$199,143+5%
Home value$1,838,200+5%
Population32,411+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Carlos, California?

San Carlos, California has about 30,722 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in San Carlos, California?

The typical household in San Carlos, California earns about $189,739 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Carlos, California expensive?

In San Carlos, California, the median home is worth about $1,756,800, and the typical rent is about $2,423 a month.

How educated are people in San Carlos, California?

About 68.3% of adults age 25 and over in San Carlos, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Carlos, California?

About 3.2% of people in San Carlos, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Carlos, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Carlos, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,555 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

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

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