Half Moon Bay, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Half Moon Bay, California had a total population of 11,391, the 462nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $157,884, which is 59% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.8x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Half Moon Bay Quick Facts
How Half Moon Bay Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,454 | 11,391 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $153,199 | $157,884 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $1,467,000 | $1,549,500 | +5.6% |
How Half Moon Bay Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Half Moon Bay Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Mateo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home 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+ |
| Burlingame | 30,525 | $174,000 | 7.1% | $2,000,000+ |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | 3.3% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Half Moon Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Aire | 11,115 | $141,533 | $928,600 | 41.4% | 9.5% |
| Sierra Madre | 10,940 | $143,547 | $1,226,800 | 64.0% | 4.6% |
| Fairview | 10,745 | $148,667 | $963,300 | 42.9% | 4.4% |
| Clayton | 10,937 | $175,707 | $1,055,200 | 59.1% | 2.5% |
| Scotts Valley | 12,044 | $143,750 | $1,105,700 | 55.6% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Half Moon Bay is a small city located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 11,391. It ranks as the 462nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Half Moon Bay is 47.4 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Half Moon Bay is $157,884. This is 59% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 96% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,549,500. Housing costs are 111% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 71.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Half Moon Bay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (58.4% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
52.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 91.2%. Notably, 26.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Half Moon Bay, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Half Moon Bay, California?
Half Moon Bay, California has a population of 11,391 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Half Moon Bay, CA?
The median household income in Half Moon Bay is $157,884, which is 96% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Half Moon Bay, CA?
The poverty rate in Half Moon Bay is 5.6%. This means approximately 635 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Half Moon Bay, California?
Half Moon Bay's population is 58.4% White, 0.5% Black, 28.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Half Moon Bay, CA?
The median home value in Half Moon Bay is $1,549,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.8x.
How educated is Half Moon Bay, California?
52.4% of adults (25+) in Half Moon Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.