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CITY · 2020 ACS

San Marcos

California · 94,833 residents · 24.571 sq mi
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The short version

San Marcos is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $86,408. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 72% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $584,600.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 118%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
94,833
+72%since 2000
from 54,977 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,860 / sq mi
+72%since 2000
from 2,237 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.6
+11%since 2000
from 32.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
33K50K67K84K101K1990201020202024San Marcos
202495K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,408
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,908 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,232
+89%since 2000
from $18,657 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
55.7%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.7%
US avg: 10%
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$584,600
+118%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $178,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,802
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $797 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 66.0% in 2000
39.1% rent
Afford Score
6.8
+74%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic44.3%(41,989)
Black2%(1,898)
Hispanic / Latino36.8%(34,878)
Asian10.7%(10,185)
Other4.9%(4,688)
Diversity Score80.7%(76,511)
Diversity Score
81
+18%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.5%
+18.5 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.1%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 75.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.6%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+41%since 2000
from 18.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.4%
+4.3 ptssince 2011
from 62.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.0%
−24.6 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
49.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
24.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.0%
−74.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare San Marcos to nearby cities

SAN MARCOS VS
Escondido
Income$91,967+6%
Home value$714,500+22%
Population146,030+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MARCOS VS
Vista
Income$94,975+10%
Home value$762,400+30%
Population98,274+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MARCOS VS
Carlsbad
Income$142,748+65%
Home value$1,257,000+115%
Population112,260+18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MARCOS VS
Encinitas
Income$162,229+88%
Home value$1,646,800+182%
Population60,736−36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Marcos, California?

San Marcos, California has about 94,833 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in San Marcos, California earns about $86,408 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 $584,600, and the typical rent is about $1,802 a month.

How educated are people in San Marcos, California?

About 38.5% 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 10.0% 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 55,859 residents, a change of about 143 percent over that period.

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

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