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Burlingame, California Demographics & Population 2026

Expensive MarketHome value to income ratio of 11.5x indicates a costly housing market

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Burlingame, California had a total population of 30,525, the 268th largest city in California, with a median household income of $174,000, which is 76% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Burlingame Quick Facts

Population 30,525
Median Household Income $174,000
Median Home Value $2,000,000+
Poverty Rate 7.1%
Unemployment Rate 5.7%
Median Age 41.2 years
Homeownership Rate 48.2%
Affordability Ratio 11.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 64.2%
High School Graduation Rate 94.4%
Diversity Index 63/100
Population 30,525 268th of 1,570
Median Income $174,000 top 10%
Poverty Rate 7.1% 43% lower than national
Median Home Value $2,000,000+ top 10%

How Burlingame Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population30,52630,525-0.0%
Median household income$168,832$174,000+3.1%
Median home value$2,000,000+$2,000,000++0.0%

How Burlingame Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 7.4%
$25K-$50K 6.8%
$50K-$100K 17.7%
$100K+ 68.1%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.2%
$10K-$15K
1.6%
$15K-$20K
0.6%
$20K-$25K
1.0%
$25K-$30K
1.7%
$30K-$35K
1.1%
$35K-$40K
1.2%
$40K-$45K
0.9%
$45K-$50K
1.9%
$50K-$60K
3.5%
$60K-$75K
5.1%
$75K-$100K
9.1%
$100K-$125K
6.6%
$125K-$150K
6.7%
$150K-$200K
12.2%
$200K+
42.6%

Employment

5.7% Unemployment Rate State: 6.6%|National: 5.2%
68.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 48.2%
Renter 51.8%
Affordability Index Very Expensive
11.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $2,785/mo 19.2% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

63out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 70 | National average: 61

Education

Burlingame Rankings in California

#268 Population of 1,570
#126 Median Income of 1,375
#169 Education of 1,570
#1 Home Value of 1,376

Other Cities in San Mateo County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
San Mateo 103,105 $153,504 8.2% $1,618,700
Daly City 101,964 $123,547 7.7% $1,115,000
Redwood City 82,447 $157,814 6.3% $1,801,700
South San Francisco 64,305 $136,578 6.7% $1,188,800
San Bruno 42,307 $141,272 6.0% $1,207,500
Pacifica 37,261 $160,523 5.8% $1,249,800
Foster City 32,792 $199,143 4.1% $1,838,200
Menlo Park 32,727 $210,025 5.8% $2,000,000+
San Carlos 29,614 $237,470 3.3% $2,000,000+
East Palo Alto 29,069 $113,493 10.3% $1,102,600

Cities Similar to Burlingame

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Foster City32,792$199,143$1,838,20073.8%4.1%
Laguna Hills30,740$128,851$1,012,30054.7%7.8%
Eastern Goleta Valley28,295$146,284$1,361,70054.1%7.9%
Menlo Park32,727$210,025$2,000,000+72.5%5.8%
Beverly Hills31,624$132,977$2,000,000+69.9%9.6%

Population Overview

Burlingame is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 30,525. It ranks as the 268th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Burlingame is 41.2 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Burlingame is $174,000. This is 76% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 116% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 172% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 48.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 55.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Burlingame is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 29.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (51.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.2%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (29.2% vs 15.3%).

Education

64.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.4%. Notably, 29.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Burlingame, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Burlingame, California?

Burlingame, California has a population of 30,525 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Burlingame, CA?

The median household income in Burlingame is $174,000, which is 116% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Burlingame, CA?

The poverty rate in Burlingame is 7.1%. This means approximately 2,156 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Burlingame, California?

Burlingame's population is 51.3% White, 1.0% Black, 12.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 29.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Burlingame, CA?

The median home value in Burlingame is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.5x.

How educated is Burlingame, California?

64.2% of adults (25+) in Burlingame hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.