Seaside, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Seaside, California had a total population of 31,814, the 257th largest city in California, with a median household income of $85,311, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
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 9.2x the median household income.
Seaside Quick Facts
How Seaside 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 | 31,964 | 31,814 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $82,303 | $85,311 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $692,600 | $787,100 | +13.6% |
How Seaside 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+)
Seaside Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Monterey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | 13.6% | $654,100 |
| Monterey | 29,613 | $102,846 | 9.8% | $1,076,300 |
| Soledad | 26,365 | $96,862 | 16.7% | $595,900 |
| Marina | 22,563 | $95,955 | 12.2% | $818,700 |
| Greenfield | 20,232 | $84,740 | 11.4% | $531,400 |
| Prunedale | 19,723 | $103,819 | 11.1% | $833,400 |
| Pacific Grove | 14,951 | $106,065 | 7.6% | $1,190,400 |
| King City | 13,604 | $66,761 | 22.9% | $449,900 |
| Gonzales | 8,492 | $77,672 | 6.4% | $618,800 |
| Castroville | 6,720 | $89,354 | 18.4% | $617,100 |
Cities Similar to Seaside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawndale | 30,781 | $85,441 | $781,900 | 20.6% | 13.0% |
| San Pablo | 31,720 | $79,478 | $551,700 | 16.8% | 12.6% |
| Santa Paula | 31,376 | $79,294 | $611,200 | 15.1% | 14.2% |
| El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | 31,446 | $92,228 | $687,200 | 29.7% | 13.1% |
| Fallbrook | 32,112 | $96,394 | $784,100 | 26.9% | 11.9% |
Population Overview
Seaside is a mid-sized community located in California, within Monterey County. The total population is 31,814. It ranks as the 257th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Seaside is 34.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Seaside is $85,311. This is 14% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $787,100. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 35.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Seaside is Hispanic or Latino, making up 48.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.4%.
Education
29.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower 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 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Seaside, 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 Seaside, California?
Seaside, California has a population of 31,814 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Seaside, CA?
The median household income in Seaside is $85,311, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Seaside, CA?
The poverty rate in Seaside is 16.0%. This means approximately 4,848 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Seaside, California?
Seaside's population is 29.4% White, 4.7% Black, 48.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Seaside, CA?
The median home value in Seaside is $787,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.2x.
How educated is Seaside, California?
29.6% of adults (25+) in Seaside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.