San Mateo, CA Demographics

A map of San Mateo's Population by Race

San Mateo, California has an estimated population of 103,105, a slight decrease from the 105,661 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 34.4% White, 28.0% Asian, 27.6% Hispanic, 6.0% Multiracial, 2.7% Native American/Other, and 1.4% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of San Mateo, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

San Mateo has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Mateo, that probability was 71.4% in 2020 and 72.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

San Mateo is ranked the 72nd 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 Mateo was ranked the 69th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

San Mateo's White Population

35,492 residents of San Mateo, or 34.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in San Mateo is comparable to the share in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. San Mateo ranks 1080th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Mateo's White population has declined by an estimated 12.4%. White residents' share of San Mateo's population has decreased from 38.3% to 34.4%.

San Mateo is less White than neighboring Baywood Park (49.7% White), Belmont (45.8% White), Hillsborough (51.2% White), Highlands (51.9% White), and Burlingame (51.3% White).

San Mateo's Black Population

1,454 residents of San Mateo, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in San Mateo is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. San Mateo ranks 521st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Mateo's Black population has declined by an estimated 14.3%. Black residents' share of San Mateo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

San Mateo is more Black than neighboring Baywood Park (0.1% Black), Hillsborough (0.5% Black), and Burlingame (1% Black). San Mateo is less Black than neighboring Belmont (1.8% Black).

San Mateo's Asian Population

28,820 residents of San Mateo, or 28.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in San Mateo is considerably higher than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. San Mateo ranks 97th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Mateo's Asian population has grown by an estimated 3.7%. Asian residents' share of San Mateo's population has increased from 26.3% to 28.0%.

San Mateo is less Asian than neighboring Baywood Park (35.1% Asian), Belmont (30.6% Asian), Hillsborough (33.2% Asian), Highlands (31.4% Asian), and Burlingame (29.2% Asian).

San Mateo's Hispanic Population

28,418 residents of San Mateo, or 27.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in San Mateo is considerably lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. San Mateo ranks 738th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Mateo's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.5%. Hispanic residents' share of San Mateo's population has increased from 25.7% to 27.6%.

San Mateo is more Hispanic than neighboring Baywood Park (5.7% Hispanic), Belmont (13.1% Hispanic), Hillsborough (4.5% Hispanic), Highlands (6.9% Hispanic), and Burlingame (12.2% Hispanic).

San Mateo's Native American/Other Population

2,744 residents of San Mateo, or 2.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in San Mateo is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. San Mateo ranks 290th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Mateo's Native American/Other population has remained roughly the same. Native American/Other residents' share of San Mateo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.7%.

San Mateo is more Native American/Other than neighboring Belmont (1.5% Native American/Other), Hillsborough (2.4% Native American/Other), Highlands (0% Native American/Other), and Burlingame (1.7% Native American/Other). San Mateo is less Native American/Other than neighboring Baywood Park (4% Native American/Other).

San Mateo's Multiracial Population

6,177 residents of San Mateo, or 6.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in San Mateo is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. San Mateo ranks 619th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Mateo's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 7.7%. Multiracial residents' share of San Mateo's population has increased from 5.4% to 6.0%.

San Mateo is more Multiracial than neighboring Baywood Park (5.4% Multiracial), and Burlingame (4.6% Multiracial). San Mateo is less Multiracial than neighboring Belmont (7.1% Multiracial), Hillsborough (8.2% Multiracial), and Highlands (8.4% 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.