Morro Bay city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Morro Bay city is a small city located in California. The total population is 10,717. It ranks as the 480th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Morro Bay city is 52.9 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. Only 11.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.5% 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 Morro Bay city is $92,553. This is 4% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% higher. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $864,900. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Morro Bay city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (77.1% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.7%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

46.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 93.9%. Notably, 19.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Morro Bay 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.