San Francisco County, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 13th-largest in California
The population of San Francisco County, California is 836,321 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 13th-largest county in California. The median household income is $141,446, the median home value is $1,380,500, and the median age is 39.7.
The population of San Francisco County has grown 2.7% since 2010 (805,519 → 827,526), a +0.19% annualized rate.
836,321
Population
+0.19%
Annual growth
17914
People / sq mi
$141,446
Median Income
$1,380,500
Median Home Value
San Francisco County covers 47 sq mi of land at 17914.1 people per square mile.
About San Francisco County, CA
What distinguishes San Francisco County is density: among the most densely settled of US counties, around 17,914 people per square mile. With 836,321 residents, San Francisco County is a county in California. It ranks #13 among counties in California by population.
Income is a real outlier — the median household pulls in $141,446, putting San Francisco County near the top of US counties. The poverty rate, 5.7%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $1,380,500, with typical rent around $2,419.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US counties — 60.1% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is widespread — 27.5% of workers stay home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 31 minutes each way.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in San Francisco County: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
San Francisco County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of San Francisco County had a population of 805,519 in 2010 and 827,526 in 2024, a 2.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 879,676 in 2018. Average annual growth rate: 0.21%.
827,526
Population (2024)
805,519
Population (2010)
879,676
Peak (2018)
0.21%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 805,519 |
| 2011 | 815,694 |
| 2012 | 828,963 |
| 2013 | 839,695 |
| 2014 | 850,918 |
| 2015 | 863,237 |
| 2016 | 871,343 |
| 2017 | 877,471 |
| 2018 | 879,676 |
| 2019 | 878,826 |
| 2020 | 874,826 |
| 2021 | 815,498 |
| 2022 | 814,176 |
| 2023 | 819,151 |
| 2024 | 827,526 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 40.5% |
| Black or African American | 5.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Age & Sex
39.7
Median Age
48.6%
Female
51.4%
Male
17.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 11.6% · Seniors (65+): 17.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $141,446+$45,112 vs state |
| Mean household income | $204,625 |
| Per-capita income | $90,285 |
| Poverty rate | 5.7%-2.7% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% |
| Employment-to-population | 66.1% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in San Francisco County is finance & real estate, accounting for 26.7% of workers.
How residents commute
21.4%
Drive alone
10.0%
Carpool
28.6%
Public transit
27.5%
Work from home
31.2 min
Avg commute
Housing
$1,380,500+$685,100 vs state
Median home value
$2,419
Median rent
38.5%
Homeownership rate
411,542
Total housing units
88.1%
Occupied
11.9%
Vacant
61.5%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
96.5%
With health insurance
96.3%
With broadband internet
23.2%
Foreign-born
2.6%
Veterans (18+)
11.2%
With a disability
56.6%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
88.8%
High School+
60.1%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Common questions about San Francisco County, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
San Francisco County, California has a population of 836,321 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 13th-largest county in California. Population density is 17914 people per square mile.
The population of San Francisco County has grown 2.7% since 2010 (805,519 → 827,526), a +0.19% annualized rate.
The median household income in San Francisco County, California is $141,446, with mean (average) household income of $204,625 and per-capita income of $90,285. 5.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In San Francisco County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (40.5%), Black or African American (5.1%), Hispanic or Latino (1.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in San Francisco County, California is 39.7 years. Residents are 48.6% female and 51.4% male.
The median home value in San Francisco County is $1,380,500 and median monthly rent is $2,419. 38.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 411,542 total housing units, 11.9% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in San Francisco County, California is finance, insurance, and real estate, employing 26.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.9%.
Los Angeles is among the largest cities associated with San Francisco County, California, with a population of 3,857,897.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.