South San Francisco, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South San Francisco, California had a total population of 64,305, the 143rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $136,578, which is 38% 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 38% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.7x the median household income.
South San Francisco Quick Facts
How South San Francisco 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 | 64,487 | 64,305 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $135,909 | $136,578 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $1,160,100 | $1,188,800 | +2.5% |
How South San Francisco 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+)
South San Francisco 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 |
| 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+ |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | 3.3% | $2,000,000+ |
| East Palo Alto | 29,069 | $113,493 | 10.3% | $1,102,600 |
Cities Similar to South San Francisco
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Niguel | 64,139 | $140,452 | $1,190,900 | 59.8% | 6.4% |
| San Clemente | 63,273 | $140,062 | $1,398,400 | 53.8% | 5.8% |
| Castro Valley | 65,001 | $142,779 | $1,104,600 | 44.5% | 6.7% |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | $836,600 | 39.3% | 8.3% |
| Union City | 67,464 | $133,715 | $1,104,900 | 45.1% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
South San Francisco is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 64,305. It ranks as the 143rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in South San Francisco is 43.2 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South San Francisco is $136,578. This is 38% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 69% 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 2.8%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,188,800. Housing costs are 62% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
South San Francisco is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.1%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (41.8% vs 15.3%).
Education
40.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South San Francisco, 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 South San Francisco, California?
South San Francisco, California has a population of 64,305 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South San Francisco, CA?
The median household income in South San Francisco is $136,578, which is 69% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South San Francisco, CA?
The poverty rate in South San Francisco is 6.7%. This means approximately 4,318 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South San Francisco, California?
South San Francisco's population is 20.0% White, 1.5% Black, 32.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 41.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in South San Francisco, CA?
The median home value in South San Francisco is $1,188,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.7x.
How educated is South San Francisco, California?
40.8% of adults (25+) in South San Francisco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.