Population 64,042 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South San Francisco
Household size in South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.98 | 2.74 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.05 | 2.79 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.17 | 2.83 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.98 | 2.75 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | +0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
South San Francisco is a place of big households: 2.98 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids.
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 South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3 | 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 | 43.4 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.1 | +2.7 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
South San Francisco skews older than the country: its median age is 43.4, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 38.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.6% of households in South San Francisco, well below the national share of 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of the San Francisco area. The single-parent share is down 1.1 points from 2006–10, 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 South San Francisco
Renters in South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.5% | 43.7% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 40.6% | 46.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 39.0% | 45.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 41.2% | 44.5% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is a bit more common in South San Francisco than nationally: 41.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Locally, though, renters make up a smaller share here than in the San Francisco area as a whole (44.5%). Among homeowners, 32.7% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 1.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 8.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 7.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 7.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in South San Francisco as nationally: 8.5%, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 3.0 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 South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1964 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1965 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1969 | 1968 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
South San Francisco is a place of older homes: half were built before 1969, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1965 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,564 | $1,452 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,606 | $1,551 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,460 | $2,139 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,905 | $2,666 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,341 | +$1,214 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in South San Francisco runs $2,905 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,341 a month from 2006–10, an 86% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 31.3% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the southwest.
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 South San Francisco
Bachelor's degrees in South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5% | 42.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.2% | 44.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.9% | 48.9% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.4% | 52.2% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.9 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in South San Francisco than nationally: 40.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Still, the share is lower than in the San Francisco area as a whole (52.2%). The share with a degree has risen 8.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.3% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.3% | 87.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.8% | 88.8% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.6% | 89.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in South San Francisco never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.3 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 South San Francisco
| Period | South San Francisco | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 8.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 5.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in South San Francisco has been strong: just 2.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 15 have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.1 points since 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).
South San Francisco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South San Francisco | 2.98 | 43.4 | 8.6% | 41.2% | 8.5% | 1969 | $2,905 | 40.4% | 85.6% | 2.8% |
| San Bruno | 2.91 | 40.7 | 7.2% | 38.2% | 8.6% | 1963 | $2,856 | 44.4% | 90.7% | 5.2% |
| Colma | 3.01 | 37.1 | 11.3% | 54.6% | 20.1% | 1989 | $2,041 | 28.5% | 81.1% | 4.3% |
| Brisbane | 2.61 | 44.2 | 7.9% | 44.2% | 12.3% | 1979 | $2,750 | 48.1% | 86.7% | 8.3% |
| Daly City | 3.22 | 42.8 | 8.3% | 41.2% | 10.1% | 1964 | $2,773 | 38.4% | 88.3% | 5.2% |
| Pacifica | 2.74 | 45.2 | 8.1% | 32.9% | 5.8% | 1965 | $3,089 | 48.6% | 95.2% | 3.9% |
| Millbrae | 2.82 | 44.1 | 7.0% | 38.8% | 7.2% | 1964 | $3,142 | 51.9% | 93.2% | 5.2% |
| Millbrae Meadows | 2.54 | 55.7 | 2.4% | 4.4% | 8.5% | 1972 | $3,501 | 56.9% | 96.3% | 2.9% |
| Pedro Valley | 2.82 | 46.0 | 5.0% | 24.5% | 17.2% | 1970 | $3,453 | 43.1% | 93.0% | 0.0% |
| Burlingame | 2.51 | 41.7 | 6.9% | 50.9% | 11.0% | 1956 | $2,806 | 65.1% | 94.7% | 5.6% |
| San Francisco area | 2.75 | 41.3 | 8.8% | 44.5% | 7.5% | 1968 | $2,666 | 52.2% | 89.1% | 5.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Arcadia, CA · Wilkes-Barre, PA · Waltham, MA · The Villages, FL · San Pablo, CA · San Luis Obispo, CA · Port Orchard, WA · Mayaguez, PR · Malden, MA · Lorain, OH
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 South 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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