Population 742,340 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in San Mateo County
Household size in San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.80 | 2.74 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.92 | 2.79 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.96 | 2.83 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.88 | 2.75 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | +0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in San Mateo County average 2.88 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Household size has crept up from 2.80 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the east.
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 San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.7 | 38.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.2 | 39.4 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.6 | 40.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.7 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.1 | +2.7 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of San Mateo County is 41.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The San Francisco area as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.7, mirroring the country.
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 San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.1% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in San Mateo County: 8.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.1 points, as it has nationally. San Mateo County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of California counties.
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 San Mateo County
Renters in San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.9% | 43.7% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 40.7% | 46.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 39.8% | 45.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 41.5% | 44.5% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over four in ten households in San Mateo County rent their homes (41.5%), above the national share of 34.8%. About a third of owners (34.0%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 8.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 7.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.7% | 7.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in San Mateo County is close to the national rate: 8.7% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 2.2 points, 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 San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1964 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1964 | 1965 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1967 | 1968 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
San Mateo County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1967, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the north has the oldest housing. Few California counties have older homes: only three of 58.
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 San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,596 | $1,452 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,691 | $1,551 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,494 | $2,139 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,969 | $2,666 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,374 | +$1,214 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in San Mateo County runs $2,969 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,374 a month from 2006–10, an 86% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 31.0% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. No other California county has 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 San Mateo County
Bachelor's degrees in San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.4% | 42.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.7% | 44.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 50.8% | 48.9% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 53.6% | 52.2% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.2 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
San Mateo County is highly educated: more than half of adults 25 and older (53.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 10.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few California counties have a higher share of college graduates: only three of 58.
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 San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.0% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.1% | 87.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.3% | 88.8% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.1% | 89.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in San Mateo County have finished high school as nationally: 90.1%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.0 points, mirroring the country.
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 San Mateo County
| Period | San Mateo County | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 8.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 5.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.7%, unemployment in San Mateo County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the San Francisco area overall (5.8%). Unemployment has fallen 1.7 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
San Mateo County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo County | 2.88 | 41.7 | 8.1% | 41.5% | 8.7% | 1967 | $2,969 | 53.6% | 90.1% | 4.7% |
| Stanislaus County | 3.20 | 35.5 | 14.8% | 38.8% | 5.3% | 1981 | $1,709 | 19.1% | 79.4% | 8.0% |
| Mariposa County | 2.01 | 53.6 | 7.8% | 25.3% | 21.8% | 1986 | $1,536 | 30.4% | 90.5% | 6.4% |
| San Juan County | 3.11 | 35.2 | 14.3% | 19.1% | 19.2% | 1987 | $904 | 20.9% | 87.7% | 11.6% |
| Rio Grande County | 2.30 | 44.3 | 11.7% | 32.9% | 16.7% | 1975 | $974 | 33.9% | 87.6% | 11.8% |
| Alamosa County | 2.40 | 33.7 | 14.9% | 44.1% | 9.2% | 1984 | $951 | 33.1% | 88.3% | 3.6% |
| Huerfano County | 2.27 | 52.5 | 9.9% | 24.9% | 29.7% | 1964 | $906 | 23.6% | 90.1% | 7.5% |
| Stanton County | 2.42 | 37.7 | 5.1% | 23.5% | 11.2% | 1969 | $686 | 23.7% | 78.6% | 1.7% |
| Grant County | 3.29 | 37.3 | 5.2% | 23.3% | 16.9% | 1975 | $708 | 22.6% | 76.1% | 0.7% |
| Haskell County | 2.59 | 36.9 | 7.0% | 23.7% | 9.5% | 1974 | $836 | 19.3% | 74.7% | 3.8% |
| Kiowa County | 2.31 | 40.5 | 3.3% | 27.0% | 17.4% | 1976 | $741 | 28.3% | 88.7% | 2.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Baltimore County, MD · Cobb County, GA · San Joaquin County, CA · Middlesex County, NJ · Monroe County, NY · Montgomery County, PA · Multnomah County, OR · Norfolk County, MA · Oklahoma County, OK · Polk County, FL
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 San Mateo County. 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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