Carmel-by-the-Sea city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Carmel-by-the-Sea city is a small community located in California. The total population is 3,186. It ranks as the 781st most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carmel-by-the-Sea city is 68.9 years. This is 83% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. Only 4.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 27.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Carmel-by-the-Sea city is $115,729. This is 20% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $2,000,001. Housing costs are 188% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 17.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 57.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Carmel-by-the-Sea city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (86.6% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

76.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Carmel-by-the-Sea city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 108% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.8%. Notably, 27.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Carmel-by-the-Sea city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.