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CITY · 2020 ACS

Santa Monica

California · 93,076 residents · 8.409 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Monica is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $98,300. 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 $1,452,100.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
68% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 102%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
93,076
+11%since 2000
from 84,084 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
11,069 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 9,999 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.5
+6%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
83K86K89K91K94K1990201020202024Santa Monica
202491K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$98,300
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,714 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$77,137
+80%since 2000
from $42,874 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
59.5%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Arts, entertainment, food11%
US avg: 2%
Other services9.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Information6.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade3.8%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,452,100
+102%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $479,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,900
+60%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $792 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
27.1%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 29.8% in 2000
72.9% rent
Afford Score
14.8
+56%since 2000
from 9.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Monica on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.9%(60,482)
Black3.7%(3,081)
Hispanic / Latino13.4%(11,304)
Asian7.2%(6,043)
Other0%
Diversity Score51.8%(43,583)
2020
White, non-Hispanic65.2%(60,654)
Black3.9%(3,623)
Hispanic / Latino14.6%(13,544)
Asian9.1%(8,466)
Other6.8%(6,341)
Diversity Score66.9%(62,276)
Diversity Score
67
+29%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
68.0%
+13.2 ptssince 2000
from 54.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 91.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
29.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 23.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.1 min
+54%since 2000
from 16.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
63.3%
−9.5 ptssince 2009
from 72.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 69.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
68.3%
−14.7 ptssince 2009
from 83.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
22.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−84.0 ptssince 2013
from 88.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Monica

Mansfield
Pop 84,444
Arlington Heights
Pop 76,216
Roswell
Pop 91,505
Alafaya
Pop 92,449
Places similar to Santa Monica
Head to head

Compare Santa Monica to nearby cities

SANTA MONICA VS
Marina del Rey
Income$146,623+49%
Home value$458,800−68%
Population9,176−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA MONICA VS
Los Angeles
Income$81,939−17%
Home value$921,200−37%
Population3,869,089+4195%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA MONICA VS
Culver City
Income$117,389+19%
Home value$1,142,900−21%
Population39,452−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA MONICA VS
Beverly Hills
Income$132,977+35%
Home value$2,000,001+38%
Population30,764−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Monica, California?

Santa Monica, California has about 93,076 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Santa Monica, California?

The typical household in Santa Monica, California earns about $98,300 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Monica, California expensive?

In Santa Monica, California, the median home is worth about $1,452,100, and the typical rent is about $1,900 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Monica, California?

About 68.0% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Monica, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Monica, California?

About 10.1% of people in Santa Monica, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santa Monica, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Santa Monica, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,171 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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

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