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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

San Mateo County

California · 764,442 residents · 448.606 sq mi
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The short version

San Mateo County is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $128,091. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 52% 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 $1,163,100. Poverty is rare here, at 6.2% of residents. Households here earn about 63% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.8
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 72%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
764,442
+8%since 2000
from 707,161 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,704 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 1,576 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.9
+8%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
638K673K709K744K779K1990201020202024San Mateo County
2024742K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$128,091
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,819 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$64,450
+79%since 2000
from $36,045 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
70.9%
+15.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information8.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade7.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food4.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,163,100
+72%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $449,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,435
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,144 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.5%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 61.4% in 2000
43.5% rent
Afford Score
9.1
+43%since 2000
from 6.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Mateo County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic49.8%(352,355)
Black3.4%(23,778)
Hispanic / Latino21.9%(154,708)
Asian19.8%(140,313)
Other0%
Diversity Score78.3%(553,600)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic36.1%(275,902)
Black1.9%(14,701)
Hispanic / Latino25%(191,386)
Asian29.8%(227,783)
Other6.1%(46,909)
Diversity Score88.5%(676,760)
Segregation Score40%(305,947)
Diversity Score
89
+13%since 2000
from 78 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
40
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
52.1%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 39.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
22.6%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.4 min
+59%since 2000
from 18.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
65.0%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 7.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 68.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
51.2%
−16.6 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
50.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
35.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.8%
−85.5 ptssince 2013
from 89.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to San Mateo County

San Francisco County
Pop 826,079
Norfolk County
Pop 739,749
Fairfax County
Pop 1,167,873
Western Connecticut Planning Region
Pop 640,482
Places similar to San Mateo County
Head to head

Compare San Mateo County to nearby counties

SAN MATEO COUNTY VS
Alameda County
Income$129,367+1%
Home value$1,090,100−6%
Population1,636,630+120%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MATEO COUNTY VS
Santa Cruz County
Income$111,093−13%
Home value$1,027,500−12%
Population258,852−65%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MATEO COUNTY VS
Santa Clara County
Income$164,281+28%
Home value$1,490,600+28%
Population1,914,391+157%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN MATEO COUNTY VS
Contra Costa County
Income$127,229−1%
Home value$866,800−25%
Population1,170,070+57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Mateo County, California?

San Mateo County, California has about 764,442 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in San Mateo County, California earns about $128,091 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Mateo County, California expensive?

In San Mateo County, California, the median home is worth about $1,163,100, and the typical rent is about $2,435 a month.

How educated are people in San Mateo County, California?

About 52.1% of adults age 25 and over in San Mateo County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Mateo County, California?

About 6.2% of people in San Mateo County, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Mateo County, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Mateo County, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 114,819 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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