City · California
Pacifica, California
Pacifica, city, in San Mateo County, California. Pacifica had 36,890 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 38,640 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 37,261 (±56). GEOID 0654806.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
36,890
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 38,640 · ACS 2020-2024: 37,261 ±56
Median household income
$160,523
±$13,153 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$1,249,800
±$35,515 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$3,098
±$184 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Pacifica and what county is it in?
Pacifica is a city in San Mateo County, California. It covers 12.6 square miles of land, 3,071 residents per square mile in 2020.
Pacifica 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 Pacifica, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 36,890 people lived in Pacifica on July 1, 2025, down 4.6% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 38,640 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 37,261 (±56).
| Measure | Pacifica | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 37,261 ±56 | 742,340 | −1,723 |
| Households | 13,915 ±385 | 264,419 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.66 ±0.07 | 2.76 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 14,665 ±399 | 287,184 | no clear change |
Pacifica's population since 2000
From 38,390 in 2000 to 36,890 in 2025: down 3.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Pacifica 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 Pacifica?
The median resident of Pacifica is 44.6 years old; 18.2% are under 18 and 20.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 47.0%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 21.7%. 22.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pacifica | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 ±1.4 | 40.9 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 18.2% ±1.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.4% ±1.5 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Male | 50.0% ±1.5 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 19.6% ±2.5 pts | 24.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 47.0% ±2.5 pts | 34.7% | −5.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 2.0% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 21.7% ±2.1 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±0.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.1% ±1.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 22.1% ±2.0 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 25.6% ±2.5 pts | 45.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8% ±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| With a disability | 8.9% ±1.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.1% ±0.8 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.4% ±1.1 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 48.9% ±2.9 pts | 53.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.8% ±2.0 pts | 24.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.7% ±1.5 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2% ±0.6 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 Pacifica earn?
Half of Pacifica's 13,915 households earn less than $160,523 a year (±$13,153), against $158,855 in San Mateo County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $154,452 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pacifica | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $160,523 ±$13,153 | $158,855 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $194,828 ±$10,461 | $231,822 | – |
| Per capita income | $73,854 ±$4,083 | $84,288 | +$8,499 |
| People below the poverty line | 5.8% ±1.2 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.8% ±2.0 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.6% ±1.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.3% ±0.7 pts | 97.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.8% ±1.2 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 Pacifica?
Owners occupy 67.7% of Pacifica's occupied homes and renters 32.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,249,800 by its owner (±$35,515). The median renter pays $3,098 a month including utilities, and 40.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pacifica | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,249,800 ±$35,515 | $1,559,600 | +$163,343 |
| Median gross rent | $3,098 ±$184 | $2,922 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.3% ±5.3 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,850 ±$166 | $4,000 or more | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.7% ±2.3 pts | 58.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 32.3% ±2.3 pts | 41.5% | – |
| Housing units | 14,665 ±399 | 287,184 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6% ±2.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.5% ±2.6 pts | 55.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.2% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.6% ±0.7 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.6% ±0.9 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.7% ±1.0 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 Pacifica building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units in Pacifica in 2025 (8 in single-family houses), 0.2 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 Pacifica work and get to work?
62.1% of Pacifica's workers drive alone and 23.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.
| Measure | Pacifica | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.5% ±2.0 pts | 67.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% ±1.1 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 62.1% ±3.0 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0% ±1.5 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.8% ±1.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.2% ±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 23.6% ±2.4 pts | 24.3% | +18.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.2 min ±1.1 | 26.4 min | −4.9 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 Pacifica?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Pacifica (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $124,564 (Tract 6034) to $220,250 (Tract 6031).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 6027San Mateo County | 5,792 | $162,458 |
| Tract 6033San Mateo County | 6,413 | $158,819 |
| Tract 6034San Mateo County | 5,306 | $124,564 |
| Tract 6028San Mateo County | 4,892 | $189,263 |
| Tract 6030San Mateo County | 4,361 | $146,000 |
| Tract 6029San Mateo County | 3,533 | $143,287 |
| Tract 6031San Mateo County | 3,377 | $220,250 |
| Tract 6032San Mateo County | 3,600 | $163,882 |
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 Pacifica) · Census block assignment files
How does Pacifica compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Pacifica is the 1,126th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 215th-most populous of 483 in California.
Pacifica ranks 119th 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 | 215th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 391st | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 441st | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 119th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 175th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 138th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 83rd | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 717th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 237th | 988 |
| Median age | 327th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 499th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 219th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 570th | 1,069 |
Pacifica's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Pacifica 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 Pacifica?
4 of the 57 figures for Pacifica 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 Pacifica 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 Pacifica.