City · California
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea, city, in Monterey County, California. Carmel-by-the-Sea had 3,105 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,220 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,162 (±16). GEOID 0611250.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,105
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,220 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,162 ±16
Median household income
$129,250
±$46,886 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$2,000,000 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,707
±$489 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Carmel-by-the-Sea and what county is it in?
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a city in Monterey County, California. It covers 1.1 square miles of land, 3,035 residents per square mile in 2020.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is in the Salinas, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,105 people lived in Carmel-by-the-Sea on July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 3,220 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,162 (±16).
| Measure | Carmel-by-the-Sea | Monterey County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,162 ±16 | 437,613 | −668 |
| Households | 1,619 ±267 | 132,489 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 1.93 ±0.31 | 3.16 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,442 ±354 | 145,469 | no clear change |
Carmel-by-the-Sea's population since 2000
From 4,081 in 2000 to 3,105 in 2025: down 23.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Carmel-by-the-Sea as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
The median resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea is 68.5 years old. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 8.1%. 12.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carmel-by-the-Sea | Monterey County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 68.5 ±2.1 | 35.5 | +8.9 |
| Under 18 years | 3.4% ±2.7 pts | 25.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 58.0% ±8.4 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Male | 43.3% ±4.1 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5% ±3.6 pts | 61.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.7% ±7.8 pts | 26.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±1.7 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±2.0 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.1% ±5.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.0% ±6.4 pts | 29.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.5% ±6.3 pts | 56.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9% ±5.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| With a disability | 14.5% ±7.3 pts | 9.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 9.6% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.0% ±5.0 pts | 73.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 72.9% ±6.4 pts | 28.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 23.0% ±8.7 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.5% ±5.5 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0% ±2.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Carmel-by-the-Sea earn?
Half of Carmel-by-the-Sea's 1,619 households earn less than $129,250 a year (±$46,886), against $97,230 in Monterey County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $120,839 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carmel-by-the-Sea | Monterey County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $129,250 ±$46,886 | $97,230 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $193,564 ±$76,651 | $131,486 | – |
| Per capita income | $95,579 ±$22,768 | $40,422 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.2% ±3.6 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0% ±31.8 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.9% ±1.3 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.9% ±1.8 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.7% ±2.6 pts | 93.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Owners occupy 60.1% of Carmel-by-the-Sea's occupied homes and renters 39.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $2,000,000 or more by its owner (). The median renter pays $2,707 a month including utilities, and 45.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carmel-by-the-Sea | Monterey County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $2,000,000 or more | $781,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $2,707 ±$489 | $2,055 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.8% ±20.0 pts | 45.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,630 ±$222 | $2,832 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.1% ±11.4 pts | 52.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.9% ±11.4 pts | 47.9% | – |
| Housing units | 3,442 ±354 | 145,469 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.7% ±8.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 89.6% ±2.6 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±0.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.1% ±2.1 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 38.6% ±7.0 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% ±4.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Carmel-by-the-Sea building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units in Carmel-by-the-Sea in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.6 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Carmel-by-the-Sea work and get to work?
47.6% of Carmel-by-the-Sea's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 10.9 minutes.
| Measure | Carmel-by-the-Sea | Monterey County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.0% ±13.0 pts | 60.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% ±3.1 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 47.6% ±25.8 pts | 70.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 32.9% ±34.3 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 7.1% ±5.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.7% ±8.9 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 10.9 min ±5.4 | 25.4 min | −13.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 118.02Monterey County | 1,753 | $137,750 |
| Tract 118.01Monterey County | 1,409 | not published |
| Tract 117Monterey County | 3,623 | $183,036 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Carmel-by-the-Sea) · Census block assignment files
How does Carmel-by-the-Sea compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the 6,227th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 447th-most populous of 483 in California.
Carmel-by-the-Sea ranks 235th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 447th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 352nd | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 452nd | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 235th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 91st | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 1st | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 154th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 690th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 66th | 988 |
| Median age | 8th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 677th | 1,064 |
| Travel time to work | 1,066th | 1,069 |
Carmel-by-the-Sea's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Carmel-by-the-Sea with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Carmel-by-the-Sea?
22 of the 57 figures for Carmel-by-the-Sea on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Carmel-by-the-Sea are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Carmel-by-the-Sea.