San Mateo, CA

Census Place

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2024 Population

103,105

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

US Senator

Adam Schiff

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

38.3

0.789% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

8.22%

3.56% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$153,504

0.547% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$1.62M

3.55% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

56,023

1.55% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in San Mateo, 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.

81.5% of the residents in San Mateo, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in San Mateo, CA are College of San Mateo (1,285 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in San Mateo, CA was $1.62M, and the homeownership rate was 49.9%.

Most people in San Mateo, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.1 minutes. The average car ownership in San Mateo, CA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: San Mateo Bridge at Sunrise

Photo by John Loo

United States California San Mateo County, CA San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA San Mateo County (Central)--San Mateo (North), Burlingame & Millbrae Cities PUMA, CA San Mateo County (South & West)--San Mateo (South) & Half Moon Bay Cities PUMA, CA San Mateo County (East Central)--Redwood City, San Carlos & Belmont Cities PUMA, CA

Population & Diversity

San Mateo, CA is home to a population of 103k people, from which 81.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 36.2% of San Mateo, CA residents were born outside of the country (37.4k people).

In 2024, there were 1.23 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (35.5k people) in San Mateo, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.8k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 12.6k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

81.5%

2024 Citizenship

81.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 81.5% of San Mateo, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in San Mateo, CA was 81.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in San Mateo, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
35.5k ± 1.66k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
28.8k ± 1.57k
Other (Hispanic)
12.6k ± 1.73k

27.6%

Hispanic Population

28.4k people

27.6% of the people in San Mateo, CA are hispanic (28.4k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in San Mateo, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,877,888 ± 45,899 people
Philippines
827,719 ± 22,100 people
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.

Foreign-Born Population

36.2%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

37.4k people

36.6%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

37.9k people

As of 2024, 36.2% of San Mateo, CA residents (37.4k 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 San Mateo, CA was 36.6%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
718 ± 150
Gulf War (2001-)
338 ± 132
Korea
234 ± 108

San Mateo, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.12 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in San Mateo, CA.

Health

96% of the population of San Mateo, CA has health coverage, with 57.5% on employee plans, 14.3% on Medicaid, 11.1% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 0.395% 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 20.7% under 18 years, 23.4% between 18 and 34 years, 38.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.9% 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.

Uninsured People

4.02%

Uninsured

57.5%

Employer Coverage

14.3%

Medicaid

11.1%

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

0.395%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in San Mateo, CA declined by 7.27% from 4.34% to 4.02%.

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

Economy

The economy of San Mateo, CA employs 56k people. In 2024, the largest industries in San Mateo, CA were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (11,122 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,988 people), and Retail Trade (4,927 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($187,083), Information ($184,296), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($170,294).

Employment

Occupations

56k

2024 Value

± 1,919

−1.55%

1 Year decline

± 4.84%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in San Mateo, CA declined at a rate of −1.55%, from 56.9k employees to 56k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in San Mateo, CA, are Management Occupations (9,264 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (5,870 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (4,636 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of San Mateo, CA.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

56k

2024 Value

± 1,919

−1.55%

1 Year decline

± 4.84%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in San Mateo, CA declined at a rate of −1.55%, from 56.9k employees to 56k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in San Mateo, CA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (11,122 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,988 people), and Retail Trade (4,927 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of San Mateo, CA, though some of these residents may live in San Mateo, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$107,081

Median earning men ± $7,373

$80,979

Median earning women ± $6,399

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($204,306), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($164,875), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($155,929).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($163,482), Construction ($156,719), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($125,500).

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.

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for San Mateo, CA. Showing the available data for California.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (58.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
Republican Party
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.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

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 California

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in San Mateo, CA awarded 1,285 degrees. The student population of San Mateo, CA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 4,716 male students and 5,185 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in San Mateo, CA are Hispanic or Latino (470 and 39.2%), White (301 and 25.1%), Asian (269 and 22.4%), and Two or More Races (84 and 7.01%).

The largest universities in San Mateo, CA by number of degrees awarded are College of San Mateo (1,285 and 100%).

The most popular majors in San Mateo, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (213 and 16.6%), General Social Sciences (153 and 11.9%), and General Business Administration & Management (145 and 11.3%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 9,901 students enrolled in San Mateo, CA, 47.6% men and 52.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 3,502 records, of which 55.3% were women and 44.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Social Sciences
153 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
145 degrees awarded
General Psychology
77 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in San Mateo, CA was General Social Sciences with 153 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in San Mateo, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

College of San Mateo

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,285 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was College of San Mateo with 1,285 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 583 men were awarded degrees from institutions in San Mateo, CA, which is 0.83 times less than the 702 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 470 degrees mean that there were 1.56 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 301 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($1,288) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($44) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($1,971) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in San Mateo, CA was $1.62M in 2024, which is 4.87 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $1.56M to $1.62M, a 3.55% increase. The homeownership rate in San Mateo, CA is 49.9%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in San Mateo, CA have an average commute time of 26.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in San Mateo, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$1.62M

Median Property Value 2024

±$35,518

$19,910

Median Property Taxes

±$846

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 San Mateo, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

49.9%

Homeownership

2024

66.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 49.9% of the housing units in San Mateo, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 50.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in San Mateo, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$153,504

Median Household Income

± $7,504

39.9k

Number of Households

± 1,427

In 2024, the median household income of the 39.9k households in San Mateo, CA grew to $153,504 from the previous year's value of $152,669.

The following chart displays the households in San Mateo, 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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for San Mateo, 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (57.7%)
Worked At Home (24.8%)
Carpooled (6.98%)

In 2024, 57.7% of workers in San Mateo, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (24.8%) and those who carpooled to work (6.98%).

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.

Commute Time

26.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in San Mateo, CA have a shorter commute time (26.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.38% of the workforce in San Mateo, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

8.22% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in San Mateo, CA (8.43k out of 103k 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 Females 75+, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 65 - 74.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in San Mateo, CA is Hispanic, followed by White and Other.

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.