Santa Margarita CDP, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Santa Margarita CDP is a small community located in California. The total population is 665. It ranks as the 1165th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Santa Margarita CDP is 62.3 years. This is 66% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. Only 0.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 28.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The poverty rate stands at 2.1%. This is 82% 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 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $643,100. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $695,400. 34.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Margarita CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (82.6% vs 34.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (7.8%) is well below the state average of 39.8%.

Education

50.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Santa Margarita CDP, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.