San Carlos, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Carlos, California had a total population of 29,614, the 272nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $237,470, which is 140% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 140% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.3% — among the lowest in California.
- 70.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.4x the median household income.
San Carlos Quick Facts
How San Carlos 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 | 29,797 | 29,614 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $233,333 | $237,470 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How San Carlos 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+)
San Carlos 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+ |
| East Palo Alto | 29,069 | $113,493 | 10.3% | $1,102,600 |
Cities Similar to San Carlos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga | 30,319 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 81.1% | 3.3% |
| Los Altos | 30,698 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 88.1% | 3.2% |
| Los Gatos | 32,786 | $217,554 | $2,000,000+ | 75.0% | 4.2% |
| Belmont | 27,337 | $205,297 | $2,000,000+ | 69.7% | 6.9% |
| Menlo Park | 32,727 | $210,025 | $2,000,000+ | 72.5% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
San Carlos is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 29,614. It ranks as the 272nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Carlos is 41.7 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Carlos is $237,470. This is 140% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 194% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.3%. 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 5.0%. This is 24% lower 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 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in San Carlos is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 23.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (55.7% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.9%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (23.4% vs 15.3%).
Education
70.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places San Carlos in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 89% 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 97.0%. Notably, 37.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Carlos, 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 San Carlos, California?
San Carlos, California has a population of 29,614 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Carlos, CA?
The median household income in San Carlos is $237,470, which is 194% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Carlos, CA?
The poverty rate in San Carlos is 3.3%. This means approximately 975 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Carlos, California?
San Carlos's population is 55.7% White, 0.6% Black, 10.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 23.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Carlos, CA?
The median home value in San Carlos is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.4x.
How educated is San Carlos, California?
70.2% of adults (25+) in San Carlos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 37.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.