San Carlos, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of San Carlos, California is 29,797 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 270th-largest city in California. The median household income is $233,333, the median home value is $2,000,001, and the median age is 41.6.
The population has grown 3.5% since 2010 (28,417 → 29,403).
29,797
Population
5506
People / sq mi
$233,333
Median Income
$2,000,001
Median Home Value
San Carlos covers 5.4 sq mi of land at 5506 people per square mile.
About San Carlos, CA
San Carlos is a city in California with a population of 29,797. It ranks #270 among cities in California by population. The median age is 41.6, older than the national median. The population is 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
The median household income in San Carlos is $233,333, above the US median of $74,580. 1.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $2,000,001, with monthly rent averaging $2,802. The homeownership rate of 68.2% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in San Carlos reflects 68.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 32.5% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.4 minutes each way.
San Carlos city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of San Carlos city had a population of 28,417 in 2010 and 29,403 in 2024, a 3.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 30,648 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.25%.
29,403
Population (2024)
28,417
Population (2010)
30,648
Peak (2020)
0.25%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 28,417 |
| 2011 | 28,750 |
| 2012 | 29,122 |
| 2013 | 29,426 |
| 2014 | 29,723 |
| 2015 | 29,901 |
| 2016 | 29,894 |
| 2017 | 30,393 |
| 2018 | 30,331 |
| 2019 | 30,185 |
| 2020 | 30,648 |
| 2021 | 29,634 |
| 2022 | 29,244 |
| 2023 | 29,182 |
| 2024 | 29,403 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 59.4% |
| Black or African American | 0.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$233,333
Median Household Income
$126,389
Per Capita Income
1.8%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$2,000,001
Median Home Value
$2,802
Median Rent
68.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.7%
High School+
68.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
3.7%
Drive Alone
54.1%
Public Transit
32.5%
Work From Home
25.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
21.8%
Foreign Born
72.3%
Non-English at Home
3.2%
Veterans
7.5%
With Disability
99.3%
Health Insurance
99.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 27.4% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 19.3% |
| Manufacturing | 9.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 8.3% |
| Information | 6.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 5.6% |
| Construction | 3.9% |
| Public Administration | 2.7% |
| Retail Trade | 2.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.2% |
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Part of California
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City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
San Carlos, California has a population of 29,797 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 270th-largest city in California.
The median household income in San Carlos, California is $233,333, with 1.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in San Carlos, California is $2,000,001, with median monthly rent at $2,802 and a homeownership rate of 68.2%.
The median age in San Carlos, California is 41.6 years. The population is 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
The population has grown 3.5% since 2010 (28,417 → 29,403).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.