City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

San Pablo, CA

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

31,771
Residents
$78,215
Median income
$516,000
Median home
$2,912
Median rent (state)

San Pablo - the verdict

Nationally, San Pablo sits in the 60th percentile for household income and the 14th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

60th
percentile, household income
86th
percentile, home value
97th
percentile, median rent
14th
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: San Pablo, CA

San Pablo is a small city in California, home to 31,771 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $78,215 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.2%. Home values in San Pablo run a median of $516,000, and the median resident age is 34.3 years. Educational attainment runs 15.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 21 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 250% from five years earlier. San Pablo's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3134.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts California at 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,912 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

31,771 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$78,215 /yr

Poverty 9.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does San Pablo compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 60% higher than other cities
Home value 86% pricier than other cities
Median rent 97% pricier than other cities
Safety 14% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: San Pablo ranks #371 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares San Pablo against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of California's city distribution

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, San Pablo ranks #1,047 - the 28th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares San Pablo only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#805 of 1,338
40th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#352 of 1,458
71st percentile in California
Median Home Value
#676 of 1,343
50th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#543 of 1,450
62nd percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,047 of 1,458
28th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

60thIncome percentile
14thSafety percentile

60th percentile nationally for median household income · 14th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

San Pablo's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

San Pablo'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 28 Avg. percentile National median
San Pablo'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 San Pablo's home value compares nationally

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

$516,000 14th percentile more affordable than 14% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. San Pablo $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 - San Pablo, CA San Pablo, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not San Pablo, 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 San Pablo, CA median $78,215/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%
San Pablo, 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 San Pablo, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.4%

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

Population
31,771
Median Income
$78,215
Median Home Value
$516,000
Median Age
34.3
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Labor force participation
59.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3134.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
626.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2508.6
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.

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
31,400 residents31,600 residents31,800 residents32,000 residents32,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 32,126 residents 31,678 residents ▼ -1.4%
San Pablo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
21
housing units authorized
Single-Family
18
detached homes
Multifamily
3
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 9
2021 6
2022 59
2023 69
2024 21

Permit volume increased 250% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.2%
Carpool
13.1%
Public Transit
6.0%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
7.3%
Other
3.5%

Based on 14,114 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 San Pablo sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,912/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Beverly Hills
31,955 people
Seaside
31,964 people
Atwater
32,013 people
Fair Oaks
32,030 people
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)
31,399 people
Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County)
32,215 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to San Pablo's 31,771 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Poughkeepsie, NY
31,778 people
Seguin, TX
31,789 people
Ithaca, NY
31,792 people
Rome, NY
31,795 people
Sun City Center, FL
31,801 people
Dania Beach, FL
31,739 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to San Pablo's $78,215 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sylvan Springs, AL
$78,214 median income
South Haven, KS
$78,214 median income
Woodworth, LA
$78,214 median income
Amboy, MN
$78,214 median income
Timberlake, OH
$78,214 median income
Harahan, LA
$78,222 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - San Pablo, 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 San Pablo, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 12.7% 11.1% 13.1% 45.0% 16.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 60.3% White 12.7% Black or African American 11.1% Asian 13.1% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 45.0% Two or more races 16.3% 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 San Pablo 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
San Pablo (this city) 31,771 $78,215
Beverly Hills 31,955 $127,979
Seaside 31,964 $82,303
Atwater 32,013 $63,945
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about San Pablo, CA?

What is the population of San Pablo, CA? +

San Pablo, CA counts 31,771 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in San Pablo, CA? +

The median household income in San Pablo is $78,215 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in San Pablo? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for San Pablo; 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 San Pablo, CA safe? +

San Pablo has a total crime rate of 3134.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 San Pablo, CA? +

A typical home in San Pablo is worth $516,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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

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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.