San Marcos, CA
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around San Marcos to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in San Marcos, California

Life in San Marcos research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in San Marcos over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of San Marcos based on the most recently available data.

94,882 Population
$955,362 Median home value
$109,377 Median income
168 Cost of living +68% vs US
$2,348 Median rent
4.6% Unemployment
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San Marcos SnackAbility

8.5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 8.5/10
Housing 9.5/10
Affordability 4/10
Diversity 9.5/10
Safety 8/10
Amenities 9.5/10
Education 8/10
Commute 6/10

Crime in San Marcos summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in San Marcos. Key points include:

  • There were 829 total crimes in San Marcos in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in San Marcos is 882.2 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in San Marcos is 222.4 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in San Marcos is 659.8 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in San Marcos is -58.37% below the national average.

829
Total Crimes
-58.37%
Below National Average
San Marcos
US

Crime In San Marcos Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
San Marcos
/ 100k People
California
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 829 882.2 2,564.5 2,119.2
Violent Crime 209 222.4 486.0 359.0
Murder 1 1.1 4.5 5.0
Robbery 30 31.9 119.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 172 183.0 325.8 256.0
Property Crime 620 659.8 2,078.4 1,760.0
Burglary 142 151.1 305.8 229.0
Larceny 376 400.1 1,345.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 102 108.5 427.5 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in San Marcos summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in San Marcos. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around California. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in San Marcos is 168 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in San Marcos is 1.7x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in San Marcos is $955,362.

  • The median income in San Marcos is $109,377.

168
San Marcos's Overall Cost Of Living
1.7x
Higher Than The National Average
San Marcos
US

Cost Of Living In San Marcos Comparison Table

Living Expense San Marcos California National Average
Overall 168 142 100
Services 114 110 100
Groceries 116 118 100
Health 276 197 100
Housing 121 120 100
Transportation 121 121 100
Utilities 122 121 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

San Marcos, CA Weather

  • The average high in San Marcos is 73.0° and the average low is 51.8°.

  • There are 24.3 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 13.2 inches of precipitation each year with 1.2 inches of snow.

StatSan Marcos
Average Annual High73.0
Average Annual Low51.8
Annual Precipitation Days24.3
Average Annual Precipitation13.2
Average Annual Snowfall1.2
73.0°
Average High
24.3
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

San Marcos, CA Photos

Sanmarcospan
Source: Public Domain
San Marcos Restaurant Row
Source: Wikipedia User Skarg | GFDL
Wpsan San Diego County Map Version
Source: Wikipedia User RightCowLeftCoast | CC BY 3.0
Lakesanmarcos
Source: Public Domain
Palomarp
Source: Public Domain

Rankings & Articles For San Marcos

Locations Around San Marcos

Map Of San Marcos, CA

Best Places Around San Marcos

1

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2

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3

Carlsbad, CA
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4
5

Solana Beach, CA
Population 12,823

$2,183,118+129% vs San Marcos
6

Escondido, CA
Population 149,668

$844,072-12% vs San Marcos
7

Oceanside, CA
Population 172,242

$877,741-8% vs San Marcos
8

Fallbrook, CA
Population 32,112

$884,346-7% vs San Marcos
9

Vista, CA
Population 99,114

$878,352-8% vs San Marcos
10

Valley Center, CA
Population 11,119

$935,400-2% vs San Marcos

San Marcos Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in San Marcos

The current population in San Marcos is 94,882. The population has increased 21.4% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 94,882 0.9%
2023 94,078 -0.3%
2022 94,360 0.0%
2021 94,313 -2.0%
2020 96,219 0.9%
2019 95,355 0.7%
2018 94,709 1.3%
2017 93,493 2.2%
2016 91,479 2.1%
2015 89,578 2.0%
2014 87,808 2.9%
2013 85,322 2.8%
2012 83,028 2.9%
2011 80,709 3.3%
2010 78,127 -

Race / Ethnicity in San Marcos

White 43.8% (41,596)
African American 1.2% (1,133)
American Indian 0.1% (125)
Asian 11.7% (11,055)
Hawaiian 0.1% (89)
Other 0.4% (420)
Two Or More 5.9% (5,591)
Hispanic 36.8% (34,873)
See the full breakdown

San Marcos is:

  • 43.8% White with 41,596 White residents.

  • 1.2% African American with 1,133 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 125 American Indian residents.

  • 11.7% Asian with 11,055 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 89 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.4% Other with 420 Other residents.

  • 5.9% Two Or More with 5,591 Two Or More residents.

  • 36.8% Hispanic with 34,873 Hispanic residents.

Race San Marcos CA USA
White 43.8% 33.8% 57.4%
African American 1.2% 5.2% 11.9%
American Indian 0.1% 0.3% 0.5%
Asian 11.7% 15.3% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.3% 0.2%
Other 0.4% 0.6% 0.6%
Two Or More 5.9% 4.4% 4.3%
Hispanic 36.8% 40.2% 19.3%

Gender in San Marcos

Female 51.1% (48,496)
Male 48.9% (46,386)
See the full breakdown
  • San Marcos is 51.1% female with 48,496 female residents.

  • San Marcos is 48.9% male with 46,386 male residents.

Gender San Marcos CA USA
Female 51.1% 50.1% 50.5%
Male 48.9% 49.9% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in San Marcos for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 8.0% (7,590)
9-12th Grade 4.0% (3,795)
High School / GED 16.0% (15,181)
Some College 19.0% (18,027)
Associate's Degree 9.0% (8,539)
Bachelor's Degree 28.0% (26,566)
Master's Degree 12.0% (11,385)
Professional Degree 2.0% (1,897)
Doctorate Degree 2.0% (1,897)
See the full breakdown
  • 8.0% of adults in San Marcos completed < 9th grade.

  • 4.0% of adults in San Marcos completed 9-12th grade.

  • 16.0% of adults in San Marcos completed high school / ged.

  • 19.0% of adults in San Marcos completed some college.

  • 9.0% of adults in San Marcos completed associate's degree.

  • 28.0% of adults in San Marcos completed bachelor's degree.

  • 12.0% of adults in San Marcos completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in San Marcos completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in San Marcos completed doctorate degree.

Education San Marcos CA USA
< 9th Grade 8.0% 8.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 4.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 16.0% 20.0% 26.0%
Some College 19.0% 19.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 9.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 28.0% 23.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 12.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 2.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For San Marcos, California

Less than $10,000 5.1% (484,548)
$10,000 to $14,999 1.7% (163,130)
$15,000 to $24,999 4.0% (376,501)
$25,000 to $34,999 4.9% (463,968)
$35,000 to $49,999 6.6% (623,164)
$50,000 to $74,999 12.4% (1,173,389)
$75,000 to $99,999 11.1% (1,056,262)
$100,000 to $149,999 18.3% (1,733,904)
$150,000 to $199,999 11.9% (1,125,267)
$200,000 or more 24.1% (2,288,063)
See the full breakdown
  • 5.1% of households in San Marcos earn Less than $10,000.

  • 1.7% of households in San Marcos earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 4.0% of households in San Marcos earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 4.9% of households in San Marcos earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 6.6% of households in San Marcos earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 12.4% of households in San Marcos earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 11.1% of households in San Marcos earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 18.3% of households in San Marcos earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 11.9% of households in San Marcos earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 24.1% of households in San Marcos earn $200,000 or more.

Income San Marcos CA USA
Less than $10,000 5.1% 4.5% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 1.7% 2.9% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 4.0% 5.0% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 4.9% 5.3% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 6.6% 8.1% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 12.4% 13.0% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 11.1% 11.6% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 18.3% 17.8% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 11.9% 11.3% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 24.1% 20.5% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)