Population 9,967 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Rancho Santa Fe
Household size in Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 2.87 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.74 | 2.98 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.75 | 2.99 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.69 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.02 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Rancho Santa Fe average 2.69 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is smaller than in the San Diego area overall, where it has 2.86 people. Household size has crept up from 2.64 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.3 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 49.5 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 52.7 | 37.8 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.2 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Rancho Santa Fe skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.0, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Only 57 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 Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 11.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 11.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.3% of households in Rancho Santa Fe, well below the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other California cities, Rancho Santa Fe has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
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 Rancho Santa Fe
Renters in Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 44.1% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 46.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.6% | 46.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 11.1% | 45.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 11.1% of households in Rancho Santa Fe rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 40.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.8 points, even as the national share rose. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 22 have a lower 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 Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.0% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.3% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Rancho Santa Fe: 24.0% 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 6.0 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 Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1981 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Rancho Santa Fe are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,849 | $1,408 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,904 | $1,481 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,615 | $1,868 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $3,462 | $2,468 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,613 | +$1,061 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Rancho Santa Fe runs $3,462 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,613 a month from 2006–10, an 87% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 39.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only seven have higher 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 Rancho Santa Fe
Bachelor's degrees in Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.4% | 33.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 75.8% | 34.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 68.4% | 38.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 74.3% | 42.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Rancho Santa Fe is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (74.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 34 have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.1% | 84.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.0% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.7% | 87.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.5% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Rancho Santa Fe: 98.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Only 19 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Rancho Santa Fe
| Period | Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 9.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Rancho Santa Fe is close to the national rate: 5.6% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Rancho Santa Fe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Santa Fe | 2.69 | 49.0 | 8.3% | 11.1% | 24.0% | 1986 | $3,462 | 74.3% | 98.5% | 5.6% |
| Solana Beach | 2.28 | 50.4 | 6.2% | 31.9% | 11.6% | 1978 | $3,125 | 72.5% | 97.5% | 3.3% |
| Cardiff By The Sea | 2.56 | 42.6 | 4.6% | 38.5% | 12.0% | 1977 | $3,075 | 72.1% | 94.4% | 3.8% |
| Encinitas | 2.59 | 45.6 | 7.7% | 33.8% | 8.2% | 1982 | $2,941 | 67.3% | 96.0% | 4.5% |
| Del Mar | 2.37 | 50.6 | 5.1% | 28.2% | 15.1% | 1975 | $3,227 | 84.3% | 98.5% | 4.1% |
| San Marcos | 3.00 | 39.6 | 10.6% | 34.9% | 5.7% | 1993 | $2,500 | 43.5% | 87.6% | 4.7% |
| Carlsbad | 2.65 | 43.7 | 7.0% | 36.8% | 8.0% | 1989 | $2,871 | 63.1% | 97.0% | 5.3% |
| Poway | 2.94 | 42.3 | 7.2% | 23.9% | 4.3% | 1980 | $2,738 | 54.3% | 94.3% | 5.2% |
| Escondido | 2.99 | 39.4 | 11.8% | 40.9% | 4.8% | 1982 | $2,385 | 31.7% | 82.0% | 4.8% |
| Sunny Vista | 2.78 | 40.2 | 10.3% | 34.6% | 6.1% | 1996 | $3,241 | 61.1% | 94.8% | 5.0% |
| Vista | 3.10 | 37.2 | 13.7% | 44.7% | 5.3% | 1982 | $2,368 | 28.5% | 82.1% | 6.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Black Mountain, NC · Willits, CA · Williston, VT · Whiting, IN · Brownsville, TN · Boonville, MO · Bonner Springs, KS · Bonne Terre, MO · Bonifay, FL · Bluff City, TN
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 Rancho Santa Fe. 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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