Population 8,647 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Chinatown-San Francisco
Household size in Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.18 | 2.74 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.14 | 2.79 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.03 | 2.83 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.96 | 2.75 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.22 | +0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Chinatown-San Francisco is a place of small households, averaging 1.96 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 dropped from 2.18, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the north.
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 Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.0 | 38.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.4 | 39.4 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 51.1 | 40.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 52.8 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.8 | +2.7 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 52.8, Chinatown-San Francisco 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 49.0, mirroring the country. No other San Francisco neighborhood is 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 Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.2% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.0% of households in Chinatown-San Francisco, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points, mirroring the country.
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 Chinatown-San Francisco
Renters in Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.9% | 43.7% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 92.6% | 46.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 92.6% | 45.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 90.5% | 44.5% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Chinatown-San Francisco: 90.5% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 64.1% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Of San Francisco's 43 neighborhoods, only two have a higher share of renters.
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 Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 8.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 7.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 7.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.7 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Chinatown-San Francisco: 18.5% 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 7.7 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 Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1938 | 1964 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1939 | 1965 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1938 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1939 | 1968 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Chinatown-San Francisco is a place of older homes: half were built before 1939, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Of San Francisco's 43 neighborhoods, only three have older homes.
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 Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $619 | $1,452 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $737 | $1,551 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $859 | $2,139 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,137 | $2,666 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$517 | +$1,214 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Chinatown-San Francisco costs $1,137 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $517 a month from 2006–10, an 84% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 32.8% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. No other San Francisco neighborhood has lower rents.
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 Chinatown-San Francisco
Bachelor's degrees in Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.4% | 42.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.6% | 44.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.7% | 48.9% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 52.2% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.4 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Chinatown-San Francisco (29.8%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 12.4 points, as it has nationally. Few San Francisco neighborhoods have a lower share of college graduates: only three of 43.
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 Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.9% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 52.6% | 87.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 56.0% | 88.8% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 58.5% | 89.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over four in ten adults in Chinatown-San Francisco never finished high school, well above the national share: only 58.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 10.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Chinatown-San Francisco has the lowest share of high school graduates of any San Francisco neighborhood.
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 Chinatown-San Francisco
| Period | Chinatown-San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 8.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 5.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Chinatown-San Francisco: 10.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of San Francisco's 43 neighborhoods, only three have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 3.9 points from 2006–10, 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).
Chinatown-San Francisco compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinatown-San Francisco | 1.96 | 52.8 | 5.0% | 90.5% | 18.5% | 1939 | $1,137 | 29.8% | 58.5% | 10.3% |
| Union Square | 1.65 | 42.5 | 3.7% | 90.8% | 21.6% | 1953 | $1,700 | 47.9% | 83.9% | 12.6% |
| Nob Hill | 1.68 | 41.8 | 2.4% | 82.7% | 21.1% | 1944 | $2,377 | 62.8% | 87.8% | 5.0% |
| Russian Hill | 1.84 | 39.1 | 3.7% | 77.7% | 17.1% | 1941 | $2,793 | 79.7% | 95.3% | 3.7% |
| Financial District | 1.73 | 40.7 | 4.5% | 77.1% | 21.4% | 1991 | $2,810 | 70.8% | 89.3% | 6.9% |
| Downtown San Francisco | 1.57 | 43.6 | 5.7% | 92.3% | 16.8% | 1962 | $1,636 | 40.6% | 80.0% | 10.4% |
| North Beach | 1.93 | 45.4 | 4.6% | 79.0% | 17.3% | 1956 | $2,132 | 56.8% | 83.9% | 6.5% |
| South of Market | 1.84 | 38.0 | 4.8% | 70.5% | 14.0% | 2000 | $2,873 | 67.0% | 91.3% | 6.6% |
| Pacific Heights | 1.72 | 38.8 | 2.5% | 71.0% | 16.4% | 1940 | $3,074 | 84.3% | 97.4% | 4.4% |
| Cow Hollow | 1.96 | 34.5 | 4.2% | 70.4% | 16.7% | 1941 | $3,214 | 83.1% | 97.2% | 2.8% |
| Western Addition | 1.96 | 40.2 | 3.9% | 77.7% | 13.0% | 1959 | $2,340 | 66.6% | 93.4% | 6.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bloomfield-Allen, Des Moines, IA · Bulls Head, Staten Island, NY · Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA · Shenandoah, Aurora, CO · Sans Pareil, Jacksonville, FL · El Toro Marine Air Station, Irvine, CA · Hollywood Beach-Quadoman, Hollywood, FL · Holland, Minneapolis, MN · Hillside, Daly City, CA · Morningside, Detroit, MI
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 Chinatown-San Francisco. 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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