Moss Beach, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Moss Beach, California had a total population of 2,683, the 829th largest community in California, with a median household income of $99,680, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.3x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.1%.
Moss Beach Quick Facts
How Moss Beach 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 | 3,016 | 2,683 | -11.0% |
| Median household income | $128,333 | $99,680 | -22.3% |
| Median home value | $1,112,900 | $1,123,100 | +0.9% |
How Moss Beach 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+)
Moss Beach 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 Moss Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands Beach | 2,726 | $107,380 | $1,111,200 | 48.8% | 4.8% |
| Easton | 2,722 | $91,042 | $314,400 | 13.8% | 21.1% |
| Sutter Creek | 2,702 | $88,478 | $543,800 | 33.2% | 7.1% |
| Sutter | 2,532 | $96,173 | $408,500 | 22.3% | 6.8% |
| Borrego Springs | 2,700 | $86,078 | $402,700 | 32.3% | 3.5% |
Population Overview
Moss Beach is a small community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 2,683. It ranks as the 829th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Moss Beach is 47.1 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 13.3% 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 Moss Beach is $99,680. This is about the same as the state median of $99,122. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.1%. This is 98% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,123,100. Housing costs are 53% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 99.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 77% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Moss Beach is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (54.9% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
47.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 76.3%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Moss Beach, 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 Moss Beach, California?
Moss Beach, California has a population of 2,683 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Moss Beach, CA?
The median household income in Moss Beach is $99,680, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Moss Beach, CA?
The poverty rate in Moss Beach is 9.1%. This means approximately 235 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Moss Beach, California?
Moss Beach's population is 54.9% White, 0.2% Black, 37.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Moss Beach, CA?
The median home value in Moss Beach is $1,123,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.3x.
How educated is Moss Beach, California?
47.1% of adults (25+) in Moss Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.