Morro Bay, CA Demographics

A map of Morro Bay's Population by Race

Morro Bay, California has an estimated population of 10,692, a less than 1% change from the 10,757 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 77.7% White, 13.5% Hispanic, 3.2% Multiracial, 2.8% Asian, 2.5% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Morro Bay, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Morro Bay has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Morro Bay, that probability was 42.1% in 2020 and 37.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Morro Bay is ranked the 481st most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Morro Bay was ranked the 477th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Morro Bay's White Population

8,305 residents of Morro Bay, or 77.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Morro Bay is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Morro Bay ranks 438th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morro Bay's White population has grown by an estimated 4.3%. White residents' share of Morro Bay's population has increased from 74.0% to 77.7%.

Morro Bay is more White than neighboring Los Osos (75.2% White), California Polytechnic State University (52.2% White), Atascadero (66.2% White), and San Luis Obispo (69.1% White). Morro Bay is less White than neighboring Cayucos (82.6% White).

Morro Bay's Black Population

41 residents of Morro Bay, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Morro Bay is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Morro Bay ranks 918th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morro Bay's Black population has declined by an estimated 45.3%. Black residents' share of Morro Bay's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Morro Bay is more Black than neighboring Cayucos (0% Black). Morro Bay is less Black than neighboring Los Osos (0.6% Black), California Polytechnic State University (1.2% Black), Atascadero (0.8% Black), and San Luis Obispo (1.2% Black).

Morro Bay's Asian Population

298 residents of Morro Bay, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Morro Bay is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Morro Bay ranks 674th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morro Bay's Asian population has declined by an estimated 4.2%. Asian residents' share of Morro Bay's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Morro Bay is more Asian than neighboring Cayucos (1.6% Asian), and Atascadero (2.1% Asian). Morro Bay is less Asian than neighboring Los Osos (3.8% Asian), California Polytechnic State University (15.2% Asian), and San Luis Obispo (5.3% Asian).

Morro Bay's Hispanic Population

1,443 residents of Morro Bay, or 13.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Morro Bay is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Morro Bay ranks 980th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morro Bay's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 19.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Morro Bay's population has decreased from 16.6% to 13.5%.

Morro Bay is more Hispanic than neighboring Cayucos (10.1% Hispanic). Morro Bay is less Hispanic than neighboring Los Osos (15.1% Hispanic), California Polytechnic State University (23.8% Hispanic), Atascadero (22.5% Hispanic), and San Luis Obispo (18.4% Hispanic).

Morro Bay's Native American/Other Population

266 residents of Morro Bay, or 2.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Morro Bay is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Morro Bay ranks 994th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morro Bay's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 141.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Morro Bay's population has increased from 1.0% to 2.5%.

Morro Bay is more Native American/Other than neighboring Los Osos (0.8% Native American/Other), Cayucos (0% Native American/Other), California Polytechnic State University (0% Native American/Other), Atascadero (0.9% Native American/Other), and San Luis Obispo (0.7% Native American/Other).

Morro Bay's Multiracial Population

339 residents of Morro Bay, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Morro Bay is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Morro Bay ranks 773rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morro Bay's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 33.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Morro Bay's population has decreased from 4.8% to 3.2%.

Morro Bay is less Multiracial than neighboring Los Osos (4.5% Multiracial), Cayucos (5.6% Multiracial), California Polytechnic State University (7.6% Multiracial), Atascadero (7.6% Multiracial), and San Luis Obispo (5.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.