Town · California
Hillsborough, California
Hillsborough, town, in San Mateo County, California. Hillsborough had 11,206 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 11,387 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 11,099 (±24). GEOID 0633798.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,206
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,387 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,099 ±24
Median household income
$250,000 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
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
$3,500 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
California: $2,036
Where is Hillsborough and what county is it in?
Hillsborough is a town in San Mateo County, California. It covers 6.2 square miles of land, 1,847 residents per square mile in 2020.
Hillsborough is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (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 Hillsborough, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 11,206 people lived in Hillsborough on July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 11,387 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 11,099 (±24).
| Measure | Hillsborough | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,099±24 | 742,340 | −348 |
| Households | 3,610±179 | 264,419 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.07±0.15 | 2.76 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,821±224 | 287,184 | no clear change |
Hillsborough's population since 2000
From 10,825 in 2000 to 11,206 in 2025: up 3.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough?
The median resident of Hillsborough is 47.0 years old; 26.7% are under 18 and 20.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.2%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 33.2%. 27.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hillsborough | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.0±2.3 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.7%±2.7 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.4%±2.3 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Male | 50.1%±2.5 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5%±2.1 pts | 24.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.2%±5.4 pts | 34.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 33.2%±4.7 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.2%±2.3 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±2.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 27.1%±3.6 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 31.4%±5.8 pts | 45.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| With a disability | 5.3%±1.4 pts | 9.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.0%±0.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.1%±0.6 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 83.8%±2.9 pts | 53.7% | +4.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 47.7%±4.4 pts | 24.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.7%±3.8 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
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 Hillsborough earn?
Half of Hillsborough's 3,610 households earn less than $250,000 or more a year (), against $158,855 in San Mateo County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $250,000 or more in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $57,674 after inflation. 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hillsborough | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $250,000 or more | $158,855 | −$57,674 |
| Mean household income | $546,056±$53,487 | $231,822 | – |
| Per capita income | $179,325±$16,697 | $84,288 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.0%±3.0 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.4%±5.4 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.9%±1.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.0%±1.1 pts | 97.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.8%±1.6 pts | 95.7% | – |
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 Hillsborough?
Owners occupy 93.5% of Hillsborough's occupied homes and renters 6.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $2,000,000 or more by its owner (). The median renter pays $3,500 or more a month including utilities.
| Measure | Hillsborough | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $2,000,000 or more | $1,559,600 | −$461,388 |
| Median gross rent | $3,500 or more | $2,922 | −$794 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 14.8%±18.6 pts | 40.3% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $4,000 or more | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 93.5%±2.9 pts | 58.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 6.5%±2.9 pts | 41.5% | – |
| Housing units | 3,821±224 | 287,184 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.7%±6.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 98.5%±1.9 pts | 55.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.6%±2.6 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.4%±2.7 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.0%±1.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
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 Hillsborough building?
Builders took permits for 43 new housing units in Hillsborough in 2025 (43 in single-family houses), 3.8 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 Hillsborough work and get to work?
51.8% of Hillsborough's workers drive alone and 36.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Hillsborough | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.2%±4.4 pts | 67.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±3.2 pts | 4.8% | +4.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 51.8%±7.4 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.1%±2.9 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9%±1.5 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 36.3%±7.1 pts | 24.3% | +23.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.1 min±2.4 | 26.4 min | −4.7 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 Hillsborough?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Hillsborough (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $250,000 or more (Tract 6057) to $250,000 or more (Tract 6056).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 6056San Mateo County | 6,204 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 6057San Mateo County | 4,929 | $250,000 or more |
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 Hillsborough) · Census block assignment files
How does Hillsborough compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Hillsborough is the 2,955th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 360th-most populous of 483 in California.
Hillsborough ranks 1st 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 | 360th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 226th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 610th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 1st | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 7th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 1st | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 1st | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 763rd | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th | 988 |
| Median age | 241st | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 41st | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 58th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 578th | 1,069 |
Hillsborough's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough?
16 of the 57 figures for Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough.