City · California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco, city, in San Francisco County, California. San Francisco had 826,079 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 873,965 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 830,235 (controlled total). GEOID 0667000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
826,079
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 873,965 · ACS 2020-2024: 830,235
Median household income
$140,970
±$2,593 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$1,394,500
±$20,642 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,476
±$30 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is San Francisco and what county is it in?
San Francisco is a city in San Francisco County, California. It covers 46.7 square miles of land, 18,720 residents per square mile in 2020.
San Francisco is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
San Francisco covers the same area as San Francisco County: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are San Francisco's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in San Francisco, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 826,079 people lived in San Francisco on July 1, 2025, down 6.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 873,965 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 830,235.
| Measure | San Francisco | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 830,235 | 39,287,377 | −44,726 |
| Households | 363,970 ±1,953 | 13,548,091 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.21 ±0.01 | 2.84 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 414,602 ±403 | 14,644,735 | +16,790 |
San Francisco's population since 2000
From 776,733 in 2000 to 826,079 in 2025: up 6.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
The median resident of San Francisco is 40.0 years old; 13.7% are under 18 and 17.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 36.8%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 34.9%. 34.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | San Francisco | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 ±0.1 | 37.9 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 13.7% | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.6% ±0.1 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Male | 51.3% ±0.1 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.2% | 40.2% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 36.8% ±0.1 pts | 33.8% | −3.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7% ±0.1 pts | 5.2% | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 34.9% ±0.2 pts | 15.3% | +0.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.1% ±0.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 34.0% ±0.4 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 43.6% ±0.5 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.5% ±0.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 11.9% ±0.3 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.3% ±0.2 pts | 6.6% | −0.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.0% ±0.3 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 60.3% ±0.5 pts | 37.1% | +2.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 25.4% ±0.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.3% ±0.4 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1% ±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 San Francisco earn?
Half of San Francisco's 363,970 households earn less than $140,970 a year (±$2,593), against $140,970 in San Francisco County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $138,390 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | San Francisco | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $140,970 ±$2,593 | $99,122 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $206,854 ±$2,774 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $92,289 ±$1,250 | $49,513 | +$7,515 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2% ±0.4 pts | 12.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.0% ±1.0 pts | 15.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.4% ±0.4 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.6% ±0.3 pts | 96.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.0% ±0.4 pts | 93.5% | – |
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 San Francisco?
Owners occupy 38.2% of San Francisco's occupied homes and renters 61.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,394,500 by its owner (±$20,642). The median renter pays $2,476 a month including utilities, and 31.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | San Francisco | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,394,500 ±$20,642 | $734,700 | +$43,444 |
| Median gross rent | $2,476 ±$30 | $2,036 | +$144 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.7% ±1.0 pts | 46.0% | +2.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 38.2% ±0.6 pts | 55.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 61.8% ±0.6 pts | 44.1% | – |
| Housing units | 414,602 ±403 | 14,644,735 | +16,790 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7% ±0.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 18.0% ±0.4 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.9% ±0.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 45.2% ±0.6 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 30.2% ±0.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
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 San Francisco building?
Builders took permits for 1,444 new housing units in San Francisco in 2025 (20 in single-family houses), 1.7 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 San Francisco work and get to work?
28.6% of San Francisco's workers drive alone and 31.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.1%.
| Measure | San Francisco | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.6% ±0.4 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% ±0.3 pts | 6.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 28.6% ±0.6 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.9% ±0.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 18.7% ±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 9.4% ±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 31.0% ±0.6 pts | 17.2% | +24.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.4 min ±0.3 | 28.7 min | −3.4 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 San Francisco?
244 census tracts lie mostly in San Francisco (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $12,908 (Tract 9805.01) to $250,000 or more (Tract 615.06).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 607.01San Francisco County | 8,602 | $231,225 |
| Tract 354San Francisco County | 7,140 | $149,794 |
| Tract 261San Francisco County | 6,811 | $122,222 |
| Tract 307San Francisco County | 6,624 | $185,104 |
| Tract 327San Francisco County | 6,573 | $128,244 |
| Tract 309San Francisco County | 6,548 | $235,109 |
| Tract 353San Francisco County | 6,525 | $161,074 |
| Tract 607.03San Francisco County | 6,388 | $179,727 |
| Tract 312.01San Francisco County | 6,176 | $120,962 |
| Tract 303.01San Francisco County | 6,160 | $199,167 |
| Tract 311San Francisco County | 6,073 | $200,545 |
| Tract 329.01San Francisco County | 6,013 | $176,000 |
Every census tract in San Francisco: the tract table of San Francisco County
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 San Francisco) · Census block assignment files
How does San Francisco compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, San Francisco is the 17th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 4th-most populous of 483 in California.
San Francisco ranks 180th 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 | 4th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 440th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 180th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 103rd | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 117th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 204th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 422nd | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 153rd | 988 |
| Median age | 527th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,014th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 104th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 368th | 1,069 |
San Francisco's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
1 of the 57 figures for San Francisco on this page carries a coefficient of variation over 40% and is 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco.