Morro Bay, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Morro Bay, California is 10,717 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 480th-largest city in California. The median household income is $92,553, the median home value is $864,900, and the median age is 52.9.
The population has grown 3.4% since 2010 (10,244 → 10,591).
10,717
Population
2008
People / sq mi
$92,553
Median Income
$864,900
Median Home Value
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Morro Bay covers 5.3 sq mi of land at 2008 people per square mile.
About Morro Bay, CA
Age is the most distinctive thing about Morro Bay: a median age of 52.9, older than the national median. Morro Bay is a city in California with a population of 10,717.
The typical household here earns about $92,553, above the US median of $78,538. About 5.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $864,900, with typical rent around $1,820.
College attainment is above the local norm at 46.4%, above the national 35.0%. Around 15.0% of workers work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 21 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Morro Bay — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Morro Bay city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Morro Bay city had a population of 10,244 in 2010 and 10,591 in 2024, a 3.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 10,786 in 2021. Average annual growth rate: 0.24%.
10,591
Population (2024)
10,244
Population (2010)
10,786
Peak (2021)
0.24%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 10,244 |
| 2011 | 10,281 |
| 2012 | 10,365 |
| 2013 | 10,447 |
| 2014 | 10,498 |
| 2015 | 10,578 |
| 2016 | 10,612 |
| 2017 | 10,603 |
| 2018 | 10,559 |
| 2019 | 10,543 |
| 2020 | 10,761 |
| 2021 | 10,786 |
| 2022 | 10,694 |
| 2023 | 10,610 |
| 2024 | 10,591 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 79.7% |
| Black or African American | 0.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$92,553
Median Household Income
$59,411
Per Capita Income
5.7%
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$864,900
Median Home Value
$1,820
Median Rent
60.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.9%
High School+
46.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
73.7%
Public Transit
15.0%
Work From Home
20.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
30.1%
Foreign Born
89.4%
Non-English at Home
10.9%
Veterans
17.0%
With Disability
98.1%
Health Insurance
97.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 11.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.9% |
| Construction | 9.3% |
| Public Administration | 9.2% |
| Information | 7.3% |
| Manufacturing | 5.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.9% |
| Retail Trade | 2.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Morro Bay, California has a population of 10,717 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 480th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Morro Bay, California is $92,553, with 5.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Morro Bay, California is $864,900, with median monthly rent at $1,820 and a homeownership rate of 60.5%.
The median age in Morro Bay, California is 52.9 years. The population is 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
The population has grown 3.4% since 2010 (10,244 → 10,591).
Where to stay in Morro Bay
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.