Montara, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Montara, California had a total population of 2,917, the 800th largest community in California, with a median household income of $233,826, which is 136% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 136% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.4% — among the lowest in California.
- 66.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
Montara Quick Facts
How Montara 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 | 2,897 | 2,917 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $201,367 | $233,826 | +16.1% |
| Median home value | $1,467,400 | $1,580,700 | +7.7% |
How Montara 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Montara 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 Montara
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleepy Hollow | 3,063 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 80.2% | 1.0% |
| Santa Rosa Valley | 2,780 | $213,973 | $1,706,200 | 54.9% | 2.9% |
| Fairbanks Ranch | 2,703 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 84.4% | 5.5% |
| Lexington Hills | 2,692 | $248,750 | $1,215,900 | 73.7% | 3.3% |
| Reliez Valley | 3,173 | $249,864 | $1,740,200 | 78.8% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Montara is a small community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 2,917. It ranks as the 800th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Montara is 50.5 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 12.4% 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 Montara is $233,826. This is 136% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 190% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.4%. This is 72% 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 9.6%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,580,700. Housing costs are 115% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Montara is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (67.2% vs 33.8%). The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
66.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Montara in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 80% 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 94.8%. Notably, 43.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Montara, 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 Montara, California?
Montara, California has a population of 2,917 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Montara, CA?
The median household income in Montara is $233,826, which is 190% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Montara, CA?
The poverty rate in Montara is 3.4%. This means approximately 96 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Montara, California?
Montara's population is 67.2% White, 0.0% Black, 24.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Montara, CA?
The median home value in Montara is $1,580,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.8x.
How educated is Montara, California?
66.9% of adults (25+) in Montara hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.