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San Carlos

A vibrantly thriving downtown area makes it an extremely popular city to live, work, and play.

Overview for San Carlos, CA

30,754 people live in San Carlos, where the median age is 41 and the average individual income is $104,853. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

30,754

Total Population

41 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$104,853

Average individual Income

Welcome to San Carlos

Incorporated in 1925, San Carlos had a population of 28,406 according to the 2010 US Census, which grew to an estimated 30,185 by 2019. San Carlos covers 5.54 square miles of which .05% is water. Combined of hills, flatlands, waterfront, and wonderfully temperate climate, San Carlos’ central location (only 20 miles from SF), and vibrantly thriving downtown area make it an extremely popular city in which live, work, and play along the SF Peninsula. Inhabiting its own municipal airport certainly helps.

Prior to the Spanish arrival in 1769, the land of San Carlos was occupied by a group of Native Americans who called themselves the Lamchins. Many modern scholars consider them to be part of the Ohlone or Costanoan tribes that inhabited the Bay Area. The Lamchins referred to the area of their primary residence- most likely on the north bank of Pulgas Creek- as “Cachanihtac”, which included their word for vermin. The Spanish later translated that as “the fleas”, or “las pulgas”, giving many places and roads in the region their modern names.

Gaspar de Portola’ was the first westerner to reach San Francisco Bay, and while some early historians track his journey from the Pacific Ocean as coming over the San Carlos hills, contemporary researchers believe the “discovery” actually occurred in present-day Belmont. The mission in San Francisco was established, and lands were deeded as large ranchos. The land now occupied by the city of San Carlos was deeded as a single large rancho to Don Jose’ Dario’ Aguello. Originally, they raised cattle and housed crops for sale to locals, but after his death in 1860, the family created what is now known as Ranch de las Pulgas.

Although the port of Redwood City to the south and the town of Belmont to the north were growing quickly in the late 19th century, San Carlos’ growth was much slower. Major portions of land were then purchased by Timothy Guy Phelps, and the Brittan, Hull, and Ralston families. Phelps, a wealthy politician, made an early attempt to further develop the area. He provided significant infrastructure improvements and began promoting lot sales in what he modestly called “The Town of Phelps”. The largely unsuccessful Phelps sales led to a purchase by Nicholas T. Smith’s San Carlos Land Development Company, and the name was eventually changed. The newly named region, though not yet incorporated, received a boost with the construction of the Peninsula Railroad Corridor and station in 1888.

​​​​​​​Upon incorporation, the “Father of San Carlos”, Frederick Drake (whom in 1917 purchased 130 acres of San Carlos land in foreclosure), coined the moto “The City of Good Living”. Drake was also one of the key organizers of the nearby Sequoia High School and established the chamber of commerce in 1926.

Demographics and Employment Data for San Carlos, CA

San Carlos has 11,393 households, with an average household size of 2.69. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in San Carlos do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 30,754 people call San Carlos home. The population density is 5,682.7 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

30,754

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

41

Median Age

48.88 / 51.12%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
11,393

Total Households

2.69

Average Household Size

$104,853

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Around San Carlos, CA

There's plenty to do around San Carlos, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

42
Car-Dependent
Walking Score
43
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Divine Sweets by Ana, Bay Area Taco Catering, and Phil's Gourmet Hotdogs.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 3.26 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 1.58 miles 37 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining · $ 1.56 miles 9 reviews 5/5 stars
Shopping 0.72 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.81 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 2.81 miles 13 reviews 5/5 stars

Schools in San Carlos, CA

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby San Carlos. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

Map of Properties in the Area

For Sale
Coming Soon
Pocket Listing
Search Homes

The Location

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