Hillsborough, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hillsborough, California had a total population of 11,099, the 469th largest town in California, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 152% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 152% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 5.0% — among the lowest in California.
- 83.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.0x the median household income.
Hillsborough Quick Facts
How Hillsborough 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 | 11,122 | 11,099 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Hillsborough 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+)
Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont | 10,945 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 88.4% | 4.3% |
| Tamalpais-Homestead Valley | 12,085 | $243,227 | $1,863,900 | 79.8% | 3.3% |
| Blackhawk | 10,137 | $245,208 | $2,000,000+ | 69.7% | 5.6% |
| Rossmoor | 11,532 | $211,597 | $1,406,900 | 62.3% | 4.2% |
| Corte Madera | 10,077 | $232,763 | $1,755,200 | 79.3% | 4.6% |
Population Overview
Hillsborough is a small city located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 11,099. It ranks as the 469th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hillsborough is 47.0 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hillsborough is $250,000+. This is 152% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 210% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.0%. 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 7.0%. This is 5% higher 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 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 93.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 67% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hillsborough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 33.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (51.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (33.2% vs 15.3%).
Education
83.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hillsborough in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 126% 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 99.1%. Notably, 47.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hillsborough, 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 Hillsborough, California?
Hillsborough, California has a population of 11,099 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hillsborough, CA?
The median household income in Hillsborough is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hillsborough, CA?
The poverty rate in Hillsborough is 5.0%. This means approximately 552 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hillsborough, California?
Hillsborough's population is 51.2% White, 0.5% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 33.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hillsborough, CA?
The median home value in Hillsborough is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Hillsborough, California?
83.8% of adults (25+) in Hillsborough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 47.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.