Population 11,100 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Carmel
Household size in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.20 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.28 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.34 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.34 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.14 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Carmel is a place of small households, averaging 2.34 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.20, even as the national average fell. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 58 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 56.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 56.6 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 56.6 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 58.6 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 58.6, Carmel is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 56.6, as it has nationally. Only four of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 3.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Carmel: 4.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 0.9 points, even as the national share fell. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 39 have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Carmel
Renters in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.9% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.9% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Carmel own their homes; 27.9% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 46.8% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northeast and least common in the center. The renter share has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.5% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.2% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.9% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Carmel: 24.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 7.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1968 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1968 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1969 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Carmel is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1971, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,734 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,750 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,269 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,305 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$571 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Carmel runs $2,305 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $571 a month since 2006–10, up 33%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 37.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Carmel
Bachelor's degrees in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 57.4% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 63.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 61.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 64.3% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Carmel: 64.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree is up 6.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.0% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.9% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.8% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Carmel: 96.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Carmel has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of California cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Carmel
| Period | Carmel | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Carmel than nationally: unemployment was 3.7%, against 5.4%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 53 have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.7 points, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Carmel compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel | 2.34 | 58.6 | 4.7% | 27.9% | 24.9% | 1971 | $2,305 | 64.3% | 96.8% | 3.7% |
| Carmel-By-The-Sea | 1.92 | 67.6 | 8.7% | 38.6% | 51.7% | 1951 | $2,714 | 70.7% | 95.6% | 2.8% |
| Carmel Highlands | 2.30 | 65.7 | 5.9% | 19.7% | 31.7% | 1971 | $2,894 | 52.2% | 88.3% | 3.7% |
| Monterey | 2.16 | 44.4 | 7.5% | 61.5% | 10.8% | 1969 | $2,481 | 52.2% | 93.4% | 7.1% |
| Del Rey Oaks | 2.35 | 49.3 | 2.8% | 29.7% | 9.4% | 1959 | $3,200 | 44.6% | 95.8% | 10.9% |
| Del Monte Forest | 2.03 | 42.8 | 4.2% | 15.5% | 28.7% | 1970 | $3,365 | 62.8% | 97.2% | 2.7% |
| Sand City | 2.59 | 34.5 | 14.2% | 76.6% | 8.4% | 1966 | $2,162 | 25.2% | 67.6% | 1.7% |
| Pacific Grove | 2.10 | 52.0 | 5.3% | 50.0% | 13.2% | 1953 | $2,546 | 59.4% | 94.9% | 6.1% |
| Seaside | 2.96 | 36.3 | 13.5% | 64.6% | 10.3% | 1972 | $2,341 | 32.9% | 81.6% | 5.7% |
| Robles Del Rio | 2.46 | 50.8 | 3.6% | 6.2% | 21.9% | 1984 | $1,337 | 69.3% | 98.8% | 0.0% |
| Carmel Valley Village | 2.29 | 55.9 | 6.4% | 16.8% | 9.9% | 1973 | $2,481 | 64.3% | 98.9% | 7.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Box Elder, SD · Scappoose, OR · Brookings, OR · Hebron, IN · Bridgeton, MO · Bridgeport, WV · Briarcliff Manor, NY · Breinigsville, PA · Pennsville, NJ · Brandenburg, KY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Carmel. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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