Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Census Place

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    2024 Population
    46,990
    US Senator
    Alex Padilla
    Democratic Party
    US Senator
    Adam Schiff
    Democratic Party
    2024 Median Age
    40.9
    1.49% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    5.75%
    13.1% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $152,560
    3.9% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $971,200
    6.97% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    26,244
    1.06% 1-year decline

    About

    None of the households in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    92.1% of the residents in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA was $971,200, and the homeownership rate was 72.5%.

    Most people in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesCaliforniaOrange County, CALos Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CAOrange County (South Central)--Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills Cities PUMA, CAOrange County (Southeast)--Rancho Santa Margarita City & Ladera Ranch PUMA, CA

    Population & Diversity

    Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is home to a population of 47k people, from which 92.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 22.4% of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA residents were born outside of the country (10.5k people).

    In 2024, there were 4.71 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (27.5k people) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.84k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 4.14k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    92.1%
    2024 Citizenship
    92.2%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 92.1% of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA was 92.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      27.5k ± 1.52k
    2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
      5.84k ± 891
    3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      4.14k ± 896
    20.3%
    Hispanic Population
    9.54k people

    In 2024, there were 4.71 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (27.5k people) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.84k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 4.14k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    20.3% of the people in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are hispanic (9.54k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for California.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      3,877,888 ± 45,899 people
    2. Philippines
      827,719 ± 22,100 people
    3. China
      695,724 ± 20,296 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,877,888 California residents, followed by Philippines with 827,719 and China with 695,724.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    22.4%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    10.5k people
    21.5%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    10.2k people

    As of 2024, 22.4% of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA residents (10.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA was 21.5%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      420 ± 154
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      386 ± 152
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      361 ± 162

    Rancho Santa Margarita, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.09 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

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    Health

    95% of the population of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA has health coverage, with 65.9% on employee plans, 6.88% on Medicaid, 9.14% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 0.36% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in California see 1,233 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1076 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 213 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

    Coverage

    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.2% under 18 years, 17.7% between 18 and 34 years, 47.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 12% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    5.02%
    Uninsured
    65.9%
    Employer Coverage
    6.88%
    Medicaid
    9.14%
    Medicare
    12.7%
    Non-Group
    0.36%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA grew by 2.05% from 4.92% to 5.02%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Economy

    The economy of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA employs 26.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,832 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,094 people), and Manufacturing (2,931 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($109,443), Public Administration ($105,033), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($104,950).

    Employment

    Occupations

    26.2k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,331
    −1.06%
    1 Year decline
    ± 7.33%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA declined at a rate of −1.06%, from 26.5k employees to 26.2k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, are Management Occupations (4,745 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,846 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,376 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    26.2k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,331
    −1.06%
    1 Year decline
    ± 7.33%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA declined at a rate of −1.06%, from 26.5k employees to 26.2k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,832 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,094 people), and Manufacturing (2,931 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, though some of these residents may live in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $88,356
    Median earning men ± $6,491
    $68,709
    Median earning women ± $5,745

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($143,472), Information ($133,571), and Wholesale Trade ($123,459).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($90,625), Construction ($87,578), and Wholesale Trade ($86,640).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Y-Axis
    2.57%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    California is currently represented by 51 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Showing the available data for California.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Kamala Harris (58.5%)
      Democratic Party
    2. Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
      Republican Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from California

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Alex Padilla
    Senator from California3
    Assumed office on January 20, 2021
    Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.
    Adam Schiff
    Senator from California1
    Assumed office on December 8, 2024
    Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA was $971,200 in 2024, which is 2.92 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $907,900 to $971,200, a 6.97% increase. The homeownership rate in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is 72.5%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA have an average commute time of 26.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    Housing

    Property

    $971,200
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$33,726
    $12,414
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$708

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Rancho Santa Margarita, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    72.5%
    Homeownership
    2024
    70.8%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 72.5% of the housing units in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 73.4%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $152,560
    Median Household Income
    ± $11,761
    17.1k
    Number of Households
    ± 1,030

    In 2024, the median household income of the 17.1k households in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA grew to $152,560 from the previous year's value of $146,827.

    The following chart displays the households in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is from California.
    0.493
    2024 Wage GINI in California
    0.495
    2023 Wage GINI in California

    In 2024, the income inequality in California was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.424% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (64.7%)
    2. Worked At Home (25.4%)
    3. Carpooled (7.52%)

    In 2024, 64.7% of workers in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (25.4%) and those who carpooled to work (7.52%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    26.2 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA have a shorter commute time (26.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.47% of the workforce in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Poverty & Diversity

    5.75% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (2.7k out of 47k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 45 - 54, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Females 55 - 64.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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