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CITY · 2010 ACS

San Marcos

California · 83,781 residents · 24.571 sq mi
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The short version

San Marcos is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $58,897. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 52% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $441,400. At a median age of 32.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 32.9
US median: 37.2
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 95%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
83,781
+52%since 2000
from 54,977 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,410 / sq mi
+52%since 2000
from 2,237 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
32.9
+2%since 2000
from 32.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
33K50K67K84K101K1990201020202024San Marcos
202495K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,897
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,908 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,091
+40%since 2000
from $18,657 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
38.7%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
11.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.434
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services7.5%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing5.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$441,400
+95%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $178,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,237
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $797 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
50.4%
−15.6 ptssince 2000
from 66.0% in 2000
37.2% rent
Vacancy rate
4.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
47.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
7.5
+93%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Marcos on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic53.9%(29,617)
Black1.8%(1,001)
Hispanic / Latino36.9%(20,271)
Asian4.6%(2,503)
Other0%
Diversity Score68.2%(37,495)
2010
White, non-Hispanic48.6%(40,736)
Black2.1%(1,756)
Hispanic / Latino36.6%(30,697)
Asian8.8%(7,363)
Other2.9%(2,391)
Diversity Score76.6%(64,162)
Diversity Score
77
+12%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.6%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
81.5%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 75.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.1 min
+45%since 2000
from 18.8 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
78.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 75.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
2.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
4.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
37.0%
−26.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
50.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
24.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.3%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare San Marcos to nearby cities

SAN MARCOS VS
Escondido
Income$91,967+56%
Home value$714,500+62%
Population146,030+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MARCOS VS
Vista
Income$94,975+61%
Home value$762,400+73%
Population98,274+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MARCOS VS
Carlsbad
Income$142,748+142%
Home value$1,257,000+185%
Population112,260+18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MARCOS VS
Encinitas
Income$162,229+175%
Home value$1,646,800+273%
Population60,736−36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Marcos, California?

San Marcos, California has about 83,781 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in San Marcos, California earns about $58,897 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Marcos, California expensive?

In San Marcos, California, the median home is worth about $441,400, and the typical rent is about $1,237 a month.

How educated are people in San Marcos, California?

About 29.6% of adults age 25 and over in San Marcos, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Marcos, California?

About 11.3% of people in San Marcos, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Marcos, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Marcos, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 44,807 residents, a change of about 115 percent over that period.

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

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