San Marcos, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Marcos, California had a total population of 94,882, the 81st largest city in California, with a median household income of $109,377, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.
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 7.9x the median household income.
San Marcos Quick Facts
How San Marcos 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 | 94,078 | 94,882 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $105,286 | $109,377 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $792,400 | $868,000 | +9.5% |
How San Marcos 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 Marcos 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 |
| Encinitas | 61,480 | $162,229 | 7.4% | $1,646,800 |
| La Mesa | 60,797 | $95,028 | 11.5% | $812,000 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | 7.9% | $727,200 |
Cities Similar to San Marcos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson | 92,871 | $108,703 | $704,400 | 29.3% | 8.7% |
| Chino | 92,652 | $104,682 | $683,400 | 27.2% | 8.0% |
| Santa Monica | 91,169 | $114,885 | $1,755,500 | 70.7% | 11.2% |
| Tracy | 96,966 | $121,119 | $699,000 | 28.5% | 7.8% |
| Vacaville | 102,596 | $111,126 | $620,900 | 28.0% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
San Marcos is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 94,882. It ranks as the 81st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Marcos is 36.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Marcos is $109,377. This is 10% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $868,000. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
San Marcos is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.8%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
43.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 88.2%. Notably, 15.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Marcos, 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 Marcos, California?
San Marcos, California has a population of 94,882 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Marcos, CA?
The median household income in San Marcos is $109,377, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Marcos, CA?
The poverty rate in San Marcos is 9.2%. This means approximately 8,567 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Marcos, California?
San Marcos's population is 43.8% White, 1.2% Black, 36.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Marcos, CA?
The median home value in San Marcos is $868,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.9x.
How educated is San Marcos, California?
43.8% of adults (25+) in San Marcos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.