San Carlos, CA Demographics

A map of San Carlos's Population by Race

San Carlos, California has an estimated population of 29,614, a decrease from the 30,722 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 55.7% White, 23.4% Asian, 10.9% Hispanic, 7.5% Multiracial, 1.9% Native American/Other, and 0.6% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of San Carlos, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

San Carlos has become more 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 San Carlos, that probability was 57.5% in 2020 and 61.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

San Carlos is ranked the 272nd 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). San Carlos was ranked the 267th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

San Carlos's White Population

16,502 residents of San Carlos, or 55.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in San Carlos is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. San Carlos ranks 757th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Carlos's White population has declined by an estimated 11.9%. White residents' share of San Carlos's population has decreased from 60.9% to 55.7%.

San Carlos is more White than neighboring Belmont (45.8% White), Redwood City (36.7% White), North Fair Oaks (18.4% White), and San Mateo (34.4% White). San Carlos is less White than neighboring Emerald Lake Hills (68.4% White).

San Carlos's Black Population

174 residents of San Carlos, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in San Carlos is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. San Carlos ranks 812th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Carlos's Black population has declined by an estimated 32.8%. Black residents' share of San Carlos's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

San Carlos is more Black than neighboring Emerald Lake Hills (0.3% Black). San Carlos is less Black than neighboring Belmont (1.8% Black), Redwood City (2.9% Black), North Fair Oaks (0.8% Black), and San Mateo (1.4% Black).

San Carlos's Asian Population

6,938 residents of San Carlos, or 23.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in San Carlos is higher than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. San Carlos ranks 149th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Carlos's Asian population has grown by an estimated 19.2%. Asian residents' share of San Carlos's population has increased from 18.9% to 23.4%.

San Carlos is more Asian than neighboring Emerald Lake Hills (12.4% Asian), Redwood City (18% Asian), and North Fair Oaks (6.2% Asian). San Carlos is less Asian than neighboring Belmont (30.6% Asian), and San Mateo (28% Asian).

San Carlos's Hispanic Population

3,224 residents of San Carlos, or 10.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in San Carlos is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. San Carlos ranks 1208th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Carlos's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. Hispanic residents' share of San Carlos's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.9%.

San Carlos is less Hispanic than neighboring Emerald Lake Hills (11.3% Hispanic), Belmont (13.1% Hispanic), Redwood City (35.6% Hispanic), North Fair Oaks (72.1% Hispanic), and San Mateo (27.6% Hispanic).

San Carlos's Native American/Other Population

549 residents of San Carlos, or 1.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in San Carlos is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. San Carlos ranks 920th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Carlos's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 62.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of San Carlos's population has increased from 1.1% to 1.9%.

San Carlos is more Native American/Other than neighboring Emerald Lake Hills (0% Native American/Other), Belmont (1.5% Native American/Other), Redwood City (1.5% Native American/Other), and North Fair Oaks (0.1% Native American/Other). San Carlos is less Native American/Other than neighboring San Mateo (2.7% Native American/Other).

San Carlos's Multiracial Population

2,227 residents of San Carlos, or 7.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in San Carlos is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. San Carlos ranks 262nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Carlos's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. Multiracial residents' share of San Carlos's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.5%.

San Carlos is more Multiracial than neighboring Belmont (7.1% Multiracial), Redwood City (5.3% Multiracial), North Fair Oaks (2.5% Multiracial), and San Mateo (6% 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.