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CITY · 2020 ACS

San Mateo

California · 105,661 residents · 12.134 sq mi
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The short version

San Mateo is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $126,102. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 56% 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 $1,186,400. Households here earn about 60% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
56% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 74%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
105,661
+14%since 2000
from 92,482 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
8,708 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 7,622 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.3
+2%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
83K90K96K102K108K1990201020202024San Mateo
2024103K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$126,102
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,757 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$65,319
+81%since 2000
from $36,176 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
69.8%
+15.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services8.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade7.8%
US avg: 10%
Information7.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food4.9%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,186,400
+74%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $453,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,658
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,168 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.8%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 53.9% in 2000
50.2% rent
Afford Score
9.4
+34%since 2000
from 7.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Mateo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.5%(52,260)
Black2.5%(2,273)
Hispanic / Latino20.5%(18,973)
Asian14.9%(13,811)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.1%(65,764)
2020
White, non-Hispanic38.3%(40,519)
Black1.6%(1,696)
Hispanic / Latino25.7%(27,198)
Asian26.3%(27,786)
Other8.5%(8,932)
Diversity Score89.1%(94,129)
Diversity Score
89
+25%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
56.4%
+17.9 ptssince 2000
from 38.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.0%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
24.5%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.1 min
+66%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.3%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 72.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 70.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
55.6%
−13.1 ptssince 2009
from 68.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
35.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 33.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.0%
−84.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to San Mateo

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Head to head

Compare San Mateo to nearby cities

SAN MATEO VS
Hillsborough
Income$250,001+98%
Home value$2,000,001+69%
Population11,206−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MATEO VS
Foster City
Income$199,143+58%
Home value$1,838,200+55%
Population32,411−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MATEO VS
Belmont
Income$205,297+63%
Home value$2,000,001+69%
Population28,752−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MATEO VS
Burlingame
Income$174,000+38%
Home value$2,000,001+69%
Population31,929−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Mateo, California?

San Mateo, California has about 105,661 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in San Mateo, California earns about $126,102 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Mateo, California expensive?

In San Mateo, California, the median home is worth about $1,186,400, and the typical rent is about $2,658 a month.

How educated are people in San Mateo, California?

About 56.4% of adults age 25 and over in San Mateo, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Mateo, California?

About 7.8% of people in San Mateo, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Mateo, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Mateo, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 20,175 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

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

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