San Marino, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Marino, California had a total population of 12,216, the 447th largest city in California, with a median household income of $214,167, which is 116% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 116% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 82.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.3x the median household income.
San Marino Quick Facts
How San Marino 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 | 12,279 | 12,216 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $187,633 | $214,167 | +14.1% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How San Marino 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
San Marino Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
Cities Similar to San Marino
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rossmoor | 11,532 | $211,597 | $1,406,900 | 62.3% | 4.2% |
| Rancho Mission Viejo | 11,971 | $192,813 | $1,110,100 | 62.9% | 2.7% |
| Tamalpais-Homestead Valley | 12,085 | $243,227 | $1,863,900 | 79.8% | 3.3% |
| Palos Verdes Estates | 12,925 | $242,014 | $2,000,000+ | 79.6% | 2.9% |
| San Anselmo | 12,679 | $173,641 | $1,576,700 | 70.6% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
San Marino is a small city located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 12,216. It ranks as the 447th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Marino is 45.7 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Marino is $214,167. This is 116% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 165% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 20% 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 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 82.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in San Marino is Asian, making up 68.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 21.8%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (68.1% vs 15.3%).
Education
82.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places San Marino in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 123% 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 96.7%. Notably, 45.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Marino, 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 Marino, California?
San Marino, California has a population of 12,216 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Marino, CA?
The median household income in San Marino is $214,167, which is 165% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Marino, CA?
The poverty rate in San Marino is 6.7%. This means approximately 822 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Marino, California?
San Marino's population is 21.8% White, 0.1% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 68.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Marino, CA?
The median home value in San Marino is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is San Marino, California?
82.6% of adults (25+) in San Marino hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 45.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.