Santa Monica, CA Demographics

A map of Santa Monica's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	56,633	60,654	62.1%	65.2%
Hispanic	13,937	13,544	15.3%	14.6%
Asian	9,141	8,466	10.0%	9.1%
Multiracial	5,626	5,746	6.2%	6.2%
Black	4,741	3,623	5.2%	3.9%
Native American/Other	1,091	1,043	1.2%	1.1%

Santa Monica, California has an estimated population of 91,169, a slight decrease from the 93,076 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.1% White, 15.3% Hispanic, 10.0% Asian, 6.2% Multiracial, 5.2% Black, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Santa Monica, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica, that probability was 54.0% in 2020 and 57.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Santa Monica is ranked the 91st 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). Santa Monica was ranked the 85th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Santa Monica's White Population

56,633 residents of Santa Monica, or 62.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Santa Monica is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Santa Monica ranks 665th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Monica's White population has declined by an estimated 6.6%. White residents' share of Santa Monica's population has decreased from 65.2% to 62.1%.

Santa Monica is more White than neighboring Marina del Rey (60.9% White), Culver City (44.8% White), El Segundo (56.9% White), and Ladera Heights (17.3% White). Santa Monica is less White than neighboring Beverly Hills (68.9% White).

Santa Monica's Black Population

4,741 residents of Santa Monica, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Santa Monica is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Santa Monica ranks 256th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Monica's Black population has grown by an estimated 30.9%. Black residents' share of Santa Monica's population has increased from 3.9% to 5.2%.

Santa Monica is more Black than neighboring El Segundo (2.9% Black), and Beverly Hills (2.1% Black). Santa Monica is less Black than neighboring Marina del Rey (8.2% Black), Culver City (6.6% Black), and Ladera Heights (55.1% Black).

Santa Monica's Asian Population

9,141 residents of Santa Monica, or 10.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Santa Monica is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Santa Monica ranks 326th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Monica's Asian population has grown by an estimated 8.0%. Asian residents' share of Santa Monica's population has increased from 9.1% to 10.0%.

Santa Monica is more Asian than neighboring Marina del Rey (6.2% Asian), and Ladera Heights (3.7% Asian). Santa Monica is less Asian than neighboring Culver City (19.8% Asian), El Segundo (11.3% Asian), and Beverly Hills (13.5% Asian).

Santa Monica's Hispanic Population

13,937 residents of Santa Monica, or 15.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Santa Monica is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Santa Monica ranks 1050th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Monica's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Santa Monica's population has increased from 14.6% to 15.3%.

Santa Monica is more Hispanic than neighboring Marina del Rey (11.2% Hispanic), Beverly Hills (7.8% Hispanic), and Ladera Heights (13.3% Hispanic). Santa Monica is less Hispanic than neighboring Culver City (20% Hispanic), and El Segundo (19.9% Hispanic).

Santa Monica's Native American/Other Population

1,091 residents of Santa Monica, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Santa Monica is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Santa Monica ranks 898th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Monica's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 4.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Santa Monica's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Santa Monica is more Native American/Other than neighboring Culver City (0.8% Native American/Other), El Segundo (0.1% Native American/Other), and Ladera Heights (0.9% Native American/Other). Santa Monica is less Native American/Other than neighboring Marina del Rey (3.3% Native American/Other), and Beverly Hills (1.9% Native American/Other).

Santa Monica's Multiracial Population

5,626 residents of Santa Monica, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Santa Monica is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Santa Monica ranks 420th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Monica's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Santa Monica's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.2%.

Santa Monica is more Multiracial than neighboring Beverly Hills (5.7% Multiracial). Santa Monica is less Multiracial than neighboring Marina del Rey (10.1% Multiracial), Culver City (8% Multiracial), El Segundo (8.9% Multiracial), and Ladera Heights (9.8% 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.