San Marcos, CA Demographics

A map of San Marcos's Population by Race

San Marcos, California has an estimated population of 94,882, a less than 1% change from the 94,833 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 43.8% White, 36.8% Hispanic, 11.7% Asian, 5.9% Multiracial, 1.2% Black, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of San Marcos, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

San Marcos is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is 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 Marcos, that probability was 65.4% in 2020 and 65.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

San Marcos is ranked the 81st 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 Marcos was ranked the 81st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

San Marcos's White Population

41,596 residents of San Marcos, or 43.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in San Marcos is higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. San Marcos ranks 1018th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Marcos's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of San Marcos's population has decreased from 44.3% to 43.8%.

San Marcos is more White than neighboring Vista (36.2% White). San Marcos is less White than neighboring Lake San Marcos (66.1% White), Harmony Grove (45.8% White), Elfin Forest (83.4% White), and Del Dios (90.5% White).

San Marcos's Black Population

1,133 residents of San Marcos, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in San Marcos is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. San Marcos ranks 439th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Marcos's Black population has declined by an estimated 40.3%. Black residents' share of San Marcos's population has decreased from 2.0% to 1.2%.

San Marcos is more Black than neighboring Lake San Marcos (0.4% Black), Harmony Grove (0% Black), Elfin Forest (0% Black), and Del Dios (0% Black). San Marcos is less Black than neighboring Vista (2.7% Black).

San Marcos's Asian Population

11,055 residents of San Marcos, or 11.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in San Marcos is slightly lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. San Marcos ranks 287th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Marcos's Asian population has grown by an estimated 8.5%. Asian residents' share of San Marcos's population has increased from 10.7% to 11.7%.

San Marcos is more Asian than neighboring Lake San Marcos (5.2% Asian), Elfin Forest (3.2% Asian), Del Dios (0% Asian), and Vista (5.6% Asian). San Marcos is less Asian than neighboring Harmony Grove (13.3% Asian).

San Marcos's Hispanic Population

34,873 residents of San Marcos, or 36.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in San Marcos is slightly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. San Marcos ranks 528th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Marcos's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of San Marcos's population has remained roughly unchanged at 36.8%.

San Marcos is more Hispanic than neighboring Lake San Marcos (22.3% Hispanic), Harmony Grove (20.6% Hispanic), Elfin Forest (0% Hispanic), and Del Dios (6.3% Hispanic). San Marcos is less Hispanic than neighboring Vista (49.4% Hispanic).

San Marcos's Native American/Other Population

634 residents of San Marcos, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in San Marcos is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. San Marcos ranks 1002nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Marcos's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 34.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of San Marcos's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

San Marcos is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lake San Marcos (0.3% Native American/Other), Harmony Grove (0% Native American/Other), Elfin Forest (0% Native American/Other), and Del Dios (0% Native American/Other). San Marcos is less Native American/Other than neighboring Vista (1.3% Native American/Other).

San Marcos's Multiracial Population

5,591 residents of San Marcos, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in San Marcos is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. San Marcos ranks 676th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Marcos's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 13.7%. Multiracial residents' share of San Marcos's population has increased from 5.2% to 5.9%.

San Marcos is more Multiracial than neighboring Lake San Marcos (5.8% Multiracial), Del Dios (3.2% Multiracial), and Vista (4.9% Multiracial). San Marcos is less Multiracial than neighboring Harmony Grove (20.3% Multiracial), and Elfin Forest (13.3% 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.