San Mateo County, CA

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

765,623

0.235% 1-year decline

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

39.8

0.252% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

6.18%

7.91% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$128,091

4.44% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$1.16M

6.77% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

413,687

0.256% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, San Mateo County, CA had a population of 766k people with a median age of 39.8 and a median household income of $128,091. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of San Mateo County, CA declined from 767,423 to 765,623, a −0.235% decrease and its median household income grew from $122,641 to $128,091, a 4.44% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in San Mateo County, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (38.6%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (29%), Other (Hispanic) (10.1%), White (Hispanic) (9.76%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.25%).

None of the households in San Mateo County, 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.

85.6% of the residents in San Mateo County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in San Mateo County, CA are Skyline College (1,253 degrees awarded in 2020), Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts (1,176 degrees), and College of San Mateo (1,122 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in San Mateo County, CA was $1.16M, and the homeownership rate was 59.9%.

Most people in San Mateo County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.4 minutes. The average car ownership in San Mateo County, CA was 2 cars per household.

San Mateo County, CA borders Alameda County, CA, San Francisco County, CA, Santa Clara County, CA, and Santa Cruz County, CA.

About the photo: San Mateo Bridge at Sunrise

Photo by John Loo

Population & Diversity

San Mateo County, CA is home to a population of 766k people, from which 85.6% are citizens. As of 2020, 35% of San Mateo County, CA residents were born outside of the country (268k people).

In 2020, there were 1.33 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (295k people) in San Mateo County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 222k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 77.3k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

85.6%

2020 Citizenship

85.2%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 85.6% of San Mateo County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in San Mateo County, CA was 85.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in San Mateo County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
295k ± 632
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
222k ± 1.86k
Other (Hispanic)
77.3k ± 3.97k

24.1%

Hispanic Population

184k people

24.1% of the people in San Mateo County, CA are hispanic (184k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in San Mateo County, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
4,008,868 ± 46,586 people
Philippines
829,356 ± 22,122 people
China
683,718 ± 20,124 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,008,868 California residents, followed by Philippines with 829,356 and China with 683,718.

Foreign-Born Population

35%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

268k people

34.9%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

267k people

As of 2020, 35% of San Mateo County, CA residents (268k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in San Mateo County, CA was 34.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
8,283 ± 654
Gulf War (2001-)
3,245 ± 518
Korea
2,589 ± 407

San Mateo County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.55 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of San Mateo County, CA employs 414k people. The largest industries in San Mateo County, CA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (64,916 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (51,846 people), and Retail Trade (36,868 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($129,957), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($117,083), and Utilities ($104,866).

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $64,427. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.498, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

414k

2020 Value

± 5,197

−0.256%

1 Year decline

± 1.65%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in San Mateo County, CA declined at a rate of −0.256%, from 415k employees to 414k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in San Mateo County, CA, are Management Occupations (61,028 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (42,692 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (36,649 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of San Mateo County, 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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

414k

2020 Value

± 5,197

−0.256%

1 Year decline

± 1.65%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in San Mateo County, CA declined at a rate of −0.256%, from 415k employees to 414k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in San Mateo County, CA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (64,916 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (51,846 people), and Retail Trade (36,868 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of San Mateo County, CA, though some of these residents may live in San Mateo County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$68,497

Median earning men ± $1,991

$54,047

Median earning women ± $1,076

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Information ($148,736), Manufacturing ($108,280), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($107,873).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Information ($107,731), Manufacturing ($93,351), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($85,359).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in California. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

9,543
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
5,877
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
5,148
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$16.9M
Information
$11.2M
Manufacturing
$10.6M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $407B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($158B) and Mixed freight ($149B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.26T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

104% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 104% to $4.61T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$83.5B
Arizona
$44.4B
Ohio
$43.3B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $83.5B, followed by Arizona with $44.4B and Ohio and $43.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in San Mateo County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 77.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (20.2%), followed by Other (0.966%).

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla 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 53 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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (77.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (20.2%)
Republican Party
Other (0.966%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in San Mateo County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 77.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (20.2%), followed by Other (0.966%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in San Mateo County, CA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senators Elections

US Senators from California

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

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of 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.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla 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.

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in San Mateo County, CA awarded 5,173 degrees. The student population of San Mateo County, CA in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 10,640 male students and 15,234 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in San Mateo County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (1,778 and 36.6%), followed by Asian (1,255 and 25.8%), White (1,009 and 20.8%), and Two or More Races (302 and 6.21%).

The largest universities in San Mateo County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Skyline College (1,253 and 24.2%), Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts (1,176 and 22.7%), and College of San Mateo (1,122 and 21.7%).

The most popular majors in San Mateo County, CA are Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (758 and 14.7%), General Business Administration & Management (473 and 9.14%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (431 and 8.33%).

The median tuition cost in San Mateo County, CA for private four year colleges is $41,222.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in San Mateo County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 64.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 8.09%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 25,874 (41.1% men and 58.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 25,874 students enrolled in San Mateo County, CA, 41.1% men and 58.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 8,607 records, of which 62.8% were women and 37.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
243 degree-majors awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
214 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
300 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in San Mateo County, CA was General Psychology with 243 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Skyline College
1,253 degrees awarded
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
1,176 degrees awarded
College of San Mateo
1,122 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Skyline College with 1,253 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 1,788 men were awarded degrees from institutions in San Mateo County, CA, which is 0.528 times less than the 3,385 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 1,778 degrees mean that there were 1.42 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 1,255 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

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($41,222) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($550) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2020, 1.74% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.99% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were Some college (7.14M), High School or Equivalent (6.69M), and Bachelors Degree (6.15M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in San Mateo County, CA was $1.16M in 2020, which is 5.06 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $1.09M to $1.16M, a 6.77% increase. The homeownership rate in San Mateo County, CA is 59.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in San Mateo County, CA have an average commute time of 29.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in San Mateo County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in San Mateo County, CA is $128,091. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in San Mateo County, CA was Census Tract 6056 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 6057 and Census Tract 6094, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

In 2021, 23.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in San Mateo County, CA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 1.33%.

Housing

Property

$1.16M

Median Property Value 2020

±$9,230

$157,703

Median Property Taxes

±$2,235

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

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

Rent vs Own

59.9%

Homeownership

2020

73%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 59.9% of the housing units in San Mateo County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 60.2%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 6056
Census Tract 6057
Census Tract 6094

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in San Mateo County, CA was Census Tract 6056 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 6057 and Census Tract 6094, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

The following map shows all of the tracts in San Mateo County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$128,091

Median Household Income

± $2,077

262k

Number of Households

± 3,210

In 2020, the median household income of the 262k households in San Mateo County, CA grew to $128,091 from the previous year's value of $122,641.

The following chart displays the households in San Mateo County, 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 County, CA is from California.

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

0.499

2019 Wage GINI in California

In 2020, the income inequality in California was 0.498 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.321% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2020

Drove Alone (65%)
Public Transit (10.1%)
Carpooled (9.85%)

In 2020, 65% of workers in San Mateo County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (10.1%) and those who carpooled to work (9.85%).

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

29.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in San Mateo County, CA have a longer commute time (29.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.11% of the workforce in San Mateo County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in San Mateo County, 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 County, 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 County, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2021, 23.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in San Mateo County, CA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 1.33%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

6.18% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in San Mateo County, CA (46.9k out of 759k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

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

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2021, 6.3% of the children was living in poverty in San Mateo County, CA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 4.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2021, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 209 in San Mateo County, CA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 43.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

96.2% of the population of San Mateo County, CA has health coverage, with 60.3% on employee plans, 11.8% on Medicaid, 11.1% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 0.558% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in California was $7,549 in 2014. This is a 4.04% increase from the previous year ($7,256).

Primary care physicians in San Mateo County, CA see 956 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.27% increase from the previous year (944 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 959 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 255 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for California. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in California, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

956 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in San Mateo County, CA

Primary care physicians in San Mateo County, CA see an average of 956 patients per year. This represents a 1.27% increase from the previous year (944 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in San Mateo County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of California across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.6% under 18 years, 21.2% between 18 and 34 years, 41.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 16% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

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

Uninsured People

3.85%

Uninsured

60.3%

Employer Coverage

11.8%

Medicaid

11.1%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

0.558%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in San Mateo County, CA declined by 7.84% from 4.18% to 3.85%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 27.1 in San Mateo County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in San Mateo County, CA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2021, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 22.9% in San Mateo County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in San Mateo County, CA.

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