San Marcos, CA

Census Place

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2021 Population

94,313

1.98% 1-year decline

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

35.6

1.71% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

9.29%

7.49% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$90,620

4.87% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$616,600

5.47% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

45,145

2.13% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, San Marcos, CA had a population of 94.3k people with a median age of 35.6 and a median household income of $90,620. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of San Marcos, CA declined from 96,219 to 94,313, a −1.98% decrease and its median household income grew from $86,408 to $90,620, a 4.87% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in San Marcos, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (43.5%), White (Hispanic) (21.9%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (10.5%), Two+ (Hispanic) (8.38%), and Other (Hispanic) (8.36%).

None of the households in San Marcos, 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.

88.9% of the residents in San Marcos, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in San Marcos, CA are Palomar College (120971) (4,487 degrees awarded in 2021), California State University-San Marcos (4,257 degrees), and University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (1,531 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in San Marcos, CA was $616,600, and the homeownership rate was 62.7%.

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

United States California San Diego County, CA San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Vista City PUMA, CA Carlsbad City PUMA, CA San Marcos & Escondido (West) Cities PUMA, CA San Diego (Northwest/San Dieguito) & Encinitas Cities PUMA, CA

Population & Diversity

San Marcos, CA is home to a population of 94.3k people, from which 88.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 24.1% of San Marcos, CA residents were born outside of the country (22.7k people).

In 2021, there were 1.99 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (41.1k people) in San Marcos, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 20.6k White (Hispanic) and 9.9k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

88.9%

2021 Citizenship

88.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 88.9% of San Marcos, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in San Marcos, CA was 88.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in San Marcos, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
41.1k ± 2.44k
White (Hispanic)
20.6k ± 1.97k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.9k ± 1.46k

39.7%

Hispanic Population

37.5k people

39.7% of the people in San Marcos, CA are hispanic (37.5k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in San Marcos, 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
3,959,545 ± 46,338 people
Philippines
828,655 ± 22,113 people
China
680,942 ± 20,084 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,959,545 California residents, followed by Philippines with 828,655 and China with 680,942.

Foreign-Born Population

24.1%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

22.7k people

24.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

23.7k people

As of 2021, 24.1% of San Marcos, CA residents (22.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in San Marcos, CA was 24.6%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,570 ± 343
Gulf War (2001-)
1,272 ± 313
Gulf War (1990s)
625 ± 205

San Marcos, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.23 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of San Marcos, CA employs 45.1k people. The largest industries in San Marcos, CA are Manufacturing (5,301 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,236 people), and Retail Trade (4,839 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($106,250), Public Administration ($97,031), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($72,469).

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,050. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.497, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

45.1k

2021 Value

± 1,939

−2.13%

1 Year decline

± 6.17%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in San Marcos, CA declined at a rate of −2.13%, from 46.1k employees to 45.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in San Marcos, CA, are Management Occupations (6,225 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,914 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (4,164 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of San Marcos, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

45.1k

2021 Value

± 1,939

−2.13%

1 Year decline

± 6.17%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in San Marcos, CA declined at a rate of −2.13%, from 46.1k employees to 45.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in San Marcos, CA, are Manufacturing (5,301 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,236 people), and Retail Trade (4,839 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of San Marcos, CA, though some of these residents may live in San Marcos, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$51,359

Median earning men ± $5,101

$39,281

Median earning women ± $2,163

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($105,014), Wholesale Trade ($85,407), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($85,203).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($79,178), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($71,484), and Information ($70,263).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in California. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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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 $405B, followed by Mixed freight ($159B) and Pharmaceuticals ($155B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.21T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

109% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.21T. This is expected to increase 109% 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
$84.4B
Arizona
$44.8B
Ohio
$40.6B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $84.4B, followed by Arizona with $44.8B and Ohio and $40.6B.

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 California went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%).

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 52 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 Marcos, CA. Showing the available data for California.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (63.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (34.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.07%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator 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 18, 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 Representative Elections

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 52 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 2021, universities in San Marcos, CA awarded 10,810 degrees. The student population of San Marcos, CA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 16,852 male students and 23,154 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in San Marcos, CA are Hispanic or Latino (4,149 and 39.5%), followed by White (3,870 and 36.8%), Asian (1,000 and 9.52%), and Two or More Races (568 and 5.41%).

The largest universities in San Marcos, CA by number of degrees awarded are Palomar College (120971) (4,487 and 41.5%), California State University-San Marcos (4,257 and 39.4%), and University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (1,531 and 14.2%).

The most popular majors in San Marcos, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,439 and 13.3%), General Business Administration & Management (891 and 8.24%), and Physical Therapy (835 and 7.72%).

The median tuition costs in San Marcos, CA are $24,900 for private four year colleges, and $5,742 and $17,622 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in San Marcos, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 93.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 40,006 (42.1% men and 57.9% 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 2021 there were 40,006 students enrolled in San Marcos, CA, 42.1% men and 57.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 17,377 records, of which 61.2% were women and 38.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
632 degrees awarded
General Psychology
327 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
294 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in San Marcos, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 632 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Palomar College (120971)
4,487 degrees awarded
California State University-San Marcos
4,257 degrees awarded
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
1,531 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Palomar College (120971) with 4,487 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 3,989 men were awarded degrees from institutions in San Marcos, CA, which is 0.585 times less than the 6,821 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 4,149 degrees mean that there were 1.07 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 3,870 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 ($24,900) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,985) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,080) 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 2021, 1.89% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 2.12% 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 2021 were Some college (7.01M), High School or Equivalent (6.74M), and Bachelors Degree (6.25M).

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 Marcos, CA was $616,600 in 2021, which is 2.52 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $584,600 to $616,600, a 5.47% increase. The homeownership rate in San Marcos, CA is 62.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

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

Median household income in San Marcos, CA is $90,620. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in San Marcos, CA was Census Tract 200.26 with a value of $115,714, followed by Census Tract 200.23 and Census Tract 199.03, with respective values of $110,536 and $100,156.

Housing

Property

$616,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$14,628

$19,011

Median Property Taxes

±$1,056

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

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

Rent vs Own

62.7%

Homeownership

2021

64.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 62.7% of the housing units in San Marcos, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in San Marcos, 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 200.26
Census Tract 200.23
Census Tract 199.03

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in San Marcos, CA was Census Tract 200.26 with a value of $115,714, followed by Census Tract 200.23 and Census Tract 199.03, with respective values of $110,536 and $100,156.

The following map shows all of the places in San Marcos, 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.

$90,620

Median Household Income

± $5,043

30.3k

Number of Households

± 1,452

In 2021, the median household income of the 30.3k households in San Marcos, CA grew to $90,620 from the previous year's value of $86,408.

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

0.497

2021 Wage GINI in California

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

In 2021, the income inequality in California was 0.497 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.12% decline from 2020 to 2021, 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 2021

Drove Alone (74.9%)
Worked At Home (13.9%)
Carpooled (7.02%)

In 2021, 74.9% of workers in San Marcos, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.9%) and those who carpooled to work (7.02%).

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

26.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in San Marcos, CA have a shorter commute time (26.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.53% of the workforce in San Marcos, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in San Marcos, 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 Marcos, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in San Marcos, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

9.29% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in San Marcos, CA (8.67k out of 93.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

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

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.

Health

91.8% of the population of San Marcos, CA has health coverage, with 51.9% on employee plans, 15.2% on Medicaid, 7.75% on Medicare, 15.3% on non-group plans, and 1.61% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in San Diego County, CA see 1223 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.53% decrease from the previous year (1242 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1084 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 227 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for San Diego County, CA.

1,223 to 1

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

Primary care physicians in San Diego County, CA see an average of 1,223 patients per year. This represents a 1.53% decrease from the previous year (1,242 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28.2% under 18 years, 20.8% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50% were men and 50% were women.

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

Uninsured People

8.19%

Uninsured

51.9%

Employer Coverage

15.2%

Medicaid

7.75%

Medicare

15.3%

Non-Group

1.61%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in San Marcos, CA grew by 2.37% from 8% to 8.19%.

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