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CITY

Seaside

California · 31,636 residents (2025 est.) · 8.923 sq mi
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The short version

Seaside has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $85,311. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $787,100. At a median age of 34.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $787,100, the poverty rate sits 28% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 86%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
31,814
Unchangedsince 2000
from 31,696 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,565 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3,552 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.0
+15%since 2000
from 29.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:31,636 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
31K33K35K37K40K1990201020202024Seaside
202432K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$85,311
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,393 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,196
+125%since 2000
from $15,183 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
54.8%
+19.1 ptssince 2009
from 35.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
+13%since 2010
from 0.370 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade3.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services2%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration1.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$787,100
+86%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $232,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,409
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $810 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
35.4%
−8.5 ptssince 2000
from 44.0% in 2000
64.6% rent
Vacancy rate
4.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.1%
−13.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
62.9%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.2
+64%since 2000
from 5.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Seaside on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic36.4%(11,526)
Black12.1%(3,836)
Hispanic / Latino34.5%(10,929)
Asian9.9%(3,134)
Other0%
Diversity Score85%(26,952)
2024
White, non-Hispanic29.4%(9,350)
Black4.7%(1,487)
Hispanic / Latino48.2%(15,343)
Asian9.4%(3,002)
Other8.3%(2,632)
Diversity Score82.9%(26,370)
Diversity Score
83
−3%since 2000
from 85 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.6%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.8%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 70.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.9%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.0 min
+75%since 2000
from 12.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.5%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.2%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.3%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.3%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.4%
−6.1 ptssince 2011
from 72.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.5%
−24.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.2% in 2009
Female
49.9%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
Foreign born
26.2%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 31.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−45.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2012
from 9.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.6%
−60.9 ptssince 2013
from 73.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.4%
+12.4 ptssince 2017
from 83.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
55.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2016
from 52.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
35.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 36.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Seaside to nearby cities

SEASIDE VS
Monterey
Income$102,846+21%
Home value$1,076,300+37%
Population28,953−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SEASIDE VS
Marina
Income$95,955+12%
Home value$818,700+4%
Population23,256−26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SEASIDE VS
Pacific Grove
Income$106,065+24%
Home value$1,190,400+51%
Population14,659−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SEASIDE VS
Salinas
Income$91,908+8%
Home value$654,100−17%
Population159,134+403%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Seaside, California?

Seaside, California has about 31,814 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Seaside, California?

The typical household in Seaside, California earns about $85,311 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Seaside, California expensive?

In Seaside, California, the median home is worth about $787,100, and the typical rent is about $2,409 a month.

How educated are people in Seaside, California?

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

What is the poverty rate in Seaside, California?

About 16.0% of people in Seaside, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Seaside, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Seaside, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 7,079 residents, a change of about -18 percent over that period.

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

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