City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Monte Sereno, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Monte Sereno - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,459
Residents
$250,001
Median income
$2,000,001
Median home
$4,214
Median rent (state)

Monte Sereno - the verdict

Nationally, Monte Sereno sits in the 99th percentile for household income and the 71st percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

99th
percentile, household income
99th
percentile, home value
100th
percentile, median rent
71st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Monte Sereno, CA

California's Monte Sereno is a small town, with 3,459 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Monte Sereno brings in $250,001 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.3%. Typical homes in Monte Sereno are valued around $2,000,001, and the median resident age is 55.1 years. 87.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 17 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 70% from five years earlier. Monte Sereno reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 810.4 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $4,214 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.8 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

3,459 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$250,001 /yr

Poverty 2.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Monte Sereno compare to other US cities?

Where Monte Sereno sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 99% higher than other cities
Home value 99% pricier than other cities
Median rent 100% pricier than other cities
Safety 71% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at California, Monte Sereno ranks #35 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Monte Sereno's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

99thIncome percentile
71stSafety percentile

99th percentile nationally for median household income · 71st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Monte Sereno's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Monte Sereno's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 57 Avg. percentile National median
Monte Sereno's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Monte Sereno's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$2,000,001 1st percentile more affordable than 1% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Monte Sereno $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Monte Sereno, CA Monte Sereno, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Monte Sereno, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Monte Sereno, CA median $250,001/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Monte Sereno, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Monte Sereno, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 87.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,459
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Age
55.1
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Labor force participation
50.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
87.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
810.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
86.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
723.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,350 residents3,400 residents3,450 residents3,500 residents3,550 residents3,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,471 residents 3,566 residents ▲ +2.7%
Monte Sereno's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 10
2020 44
2021 3
2022 10
2023 17
2024 17

Permit volume increased 70% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
63.6%
Carpool
6.0%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
28.0%
Other
1.8%

Based on 1,384 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Monte Sereno sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$4,214/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Lake Nacimiento
3,464 people
Sage
3,474 people
Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente
3,441 people
San Antonio Heights
3,479 people
French Camp
3,482 people
Seacliff
3,488 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Monte Sereno's 3,459 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Elba, AL
3,459 people
Shadyside, OH
3,458 people
Frederick, OK
3,460 people
Goldendale, WA
3,458 people
Fulton, IL
3,457 people
Princess Anne, MD
3,461 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Monte Sereno's $250,001 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Altona, CO
$250,001 median income
Cherry Hills, CO
$250,001 median income
Columbine Valley, CO
$250,001 median income
Upper Witter Gulch, CO
$250,001 median income
Bogus Hill, CT
$250,001 median income
Candlewood Isle, CT
$250,001 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Monte Sereno, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Monte Sereno, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.3% 22.3% 8.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.3% White 67.3% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 22.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 8.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Monte Sereno compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Monte Sereno (this city) 3,459 $250,001
Lake Nacimiento 3,464 $85,000
Sage 3,474 $88,879
Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente 3,441 $116,667
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Monte Sereno, CA?

What is the population of Monte Sereno, CA? +

Monte Sereno, CA has a population of 3,459 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Monte Sereno, CA? +

In Monte Sereno, the typical household earns $250,001 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Monte Sereno? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Monte Sereno; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Monte Sereno, CA safe? +

Monte Sereno has a total crime rate of 810.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Monte Sereno, CA? +

Homes in Monte Sereno carry a median value of $2,000,001, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.