Rancho Santa Margarita, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Rancho Santa Margarita, California is 47,257 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 199th-largest city in California. The median household income is $146,827, the median home value is $907,900, and the median age is 40.3.
The population has declined 3.3% since 2010 (47,918 → 46,353).
47,257
Population
3655
People / sq mi
$146,827
Median Income
$907,900
Median Home Value
Rancho Santa Margarita covers 12.9 sq mi of land at 3655 people per square mile.
About Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in California with a population of 47,257. It ranks #199 among cities in California by population. The median age is 40.3, older than the national median. The population is 49.7% male and 50.3% female.
The median household income in Rancho Santa Margarita is $146,827, above the US median of $74,580. 4.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $907,900, with monthly rent averaging $2,481. The homeownership rate of 73.4% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Rancho Santa Margarita reflects 48.8% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 22.6% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 27.4 minutes each way.
Rancho Santa Margarita city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Rancho Santa Margarita city had a population of 47,918 in 2010 and 46,353 in 2024, a -3.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 49,069 in 2014. Average annual growth rate: -0.23%.
46,353
Population (2024)
47,918
Population (2010)
49,069
Peak (2014)
-0.23%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 47,918 |
| 2011 | 48,331 |
| 2012 | 48,588 |
| 2013 | 49,038 |
| 2014 | 49,069 |
| 2015 | 49,027 |
| 2016 | 48,828 |
| 2017 | 48,566 |
| 2018 | 48,197 |
| 2019 | 47,896 |
| 2020 | 47,868 |
| 2021 | 47,331 |
| 2022 | 46,872 |
| 2023 | 46,462 |
| 2024 | 46,353 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 65.1% |
| Black or African American | 1.5% |
| Asian | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$146,827
Median Household Income
$63,535
Per Capita Income
4.7%
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$907,900
Median Home Value
$2,481
Median Rent
73.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
94.6%
High School+
48.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.2%
Drive Alone
66.8%
Public Transit
22.6%
Work From Home
27.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
19.0%
Foreign Born
75.2%
Non-English at Home
4.4%
Veterans
9.0%
With Disability
95.1%
Health Insurance
98.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 17.5% |
| Manufacturing | 10.9% |
| Information | 10.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.8% |
| Construction | 6.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.5% |
| Retail Trade | 4.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.6% |
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City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Rancho Santa Margarita, California has a population of 47,257 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 199th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Rancho Santa Margarita, California is $146,827, with 4.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Rancho Santa Margarita, California is $907,900, with median monthly rent at $2,481 and a homeownership rate of 73.4%.
The median age in Rancho Santa Margarita, California is 40.3 years. The population is 49.7% male and 50.3% female.
The population has declined 3.3% since 2010 (47,918 → 46,353).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.