Rancho Santa Fe, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rancho Santa Fe, California had a total population of 2,260, the 876th largest community in California, with a median household income of $175,792, which is 77% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 77% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in California.
- 71.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Rancho Santa Fe Quick Facts
How Rancho Santa Fe Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,510 | 2,260 | No clear change (-10.0%) |
| Median household income | $168,709 | $175,792 | No clear change (+4.2%) |
| Median home value¹ | $2,461,417 | $2,000,000+ | -18.7% |
| Median gross rent | $3,723 | $3,501 | -6.0% |
How Rancho Santa Fe Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 66.7%
- Black: 3.0%
- Hispanic: 11.1%
- Asian: 4.0%
- Other: 1.1%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 2.1%
- HS Diploma: 9.3%
- Some College: 12.9%
- Associate's: 3.9%
- Bachelor's: 42.5%
- Graduate+: 29.3%
Rancho Santa Fe Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Diego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 1,389,526 | $108,077 | 11.0% | $906,700 |
| Chula Vista | 276,375 | $108,032 | 8.8% | $758,700 |
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | 8.3% | $770,300 |
| Escondido | 149,668 | $91,967 | 12.2% | $714,500 |
| Carlsbad | 114,373 | $142,748 | 6.9% | $1,257,000 |
| El Cajon | 104,449 | $67,511 | 20.5% | $681,700 |
| Vista | 99,114 | $94,975 | 10.5% | $762,400 |
| San Marcos | 94,882 | $109,377 | 9.2% | $868,000 |
| Encinitas | 61,480 | $162,229 | 7.4% | $1,646,800 |
| La Mesa | 60,797 | $95,028 | 11.5% | $812,000 |
Cities Similar to Rancho Santa Fe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knightsen | 2,264 | $177,232 | $953,000 | 22.2% | 3.8% |
| Sonoma State University | 2,210 | N/A | N/A | 40.5% | N/A |
| La Selva Beach | 2,302 | $160,833 | $1,325,700 | 62.5% | 9.2% |
| Camanche Village | 2,291 | $156,250 | $452,900 | 12.1% | 2.4% |
| Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley | 2,127 | $158,788 | $1,185,000 | 43.7% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Rancho Santa Fe is a small community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 2,260. It ranks as the 876th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rancho Santa Fe is 52.6 years. This is 39% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 11.6% 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 Rancho Santa Fe is $175,792. This is 77% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 118% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. 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 9.8%. This is 49% 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 11.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 93.1% 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 Rancho Santa Fe is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (66.7% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (11.1%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
71.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Rancho Santa Fe in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 94% 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 97.9%. Notably, 29.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rancho Santa Fe, 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 Rancho Santa Fe, California?
Rancho Santa Fe, California has a population of 2,260 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rancho Santa Fe, CA?
The median household income in Rancho Santa Fe is $175,792, which is 118% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rancho Santa Fe, CA?
The poverty rate in Rancho Santa Fe is 4.9%. This means approximately 111 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rancho Santa Fe, California?
Rancho Santa Fe's population is 66.7% White, 3.0% Black, 11.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rancho Santa Fe, CA?
The median home value in Rancho Santa Fe is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.4x.
How educated is Rancho Santa Fe, California?
71.8% of adults (25+) in Rancho Santa Fe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.