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San Marcos, CA
City in San Diego County, California. ZIP codes: 92069, 92078, 92096.
Population
94,882
Land area
24.6sq mi
People per sq mi
3,862
ZIP codes
3
San Marcos and its ZIP codes
San Marcos at a glance
- San Marcos is about 15 times as dense as California as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 81st among 1,570 cities and towns in California.
- The median household income is $109,377, 10% above the California median of $99,122.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $868,000 (18% above California) and median rent is $2,348 a month.
Local data for San Marcos, CA
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes1
- Schools22
- Colleges5
- Libraries1
- Banks9
- Post Offices1
- Parks47
- Grocery Stores25
- Restaurants258
- Affordable Housing2
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care2
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers8
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment4
- Private Schools1
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools3
- Toxic Release Facilities1
Housing and community stats
San Marcos, CA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$109,377
Poverty rate
9.2%
Median home value
$868,000
Median rent
$2,348/mo
Homeownership
63.7%
Bachelor's or higher
43.8%
Median age
36.8
Average commute
26.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (29,706), Irish Americans (8,725), German Americans (8,698).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for San Diego County. PPP loans are for San Marcos.
Unemployment rate
4.7%
Sep 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$85,402
1,535,067 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$84,312
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$35.8B
FY 2026, $10,862 per person
PPP loans
$263M
2,816 loans, 30,496 jobs reported
How people get to work
San Marcos, CA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone67.7%
- Carpooled8.0%
- Public transit0.5%
- Walked1.5%
- Bicycle0.6%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.1%
- Worked from home20.5%
Average one-way commute: 26.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
San Marcos, CA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very High
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
2,698
Countywide, mostly high wind
Flood insurance policies
6,088
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 45°F
14.5 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in San Marcos, CA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
25.3%
U.S. 33.3% -8.0 pts
Diabetes
9.5%
U.S. 12.1% -2.6 pts
Smoking
9.9%
U.S. 12.8% -2.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.4%
U.S. 11.1% -1.7 pts
ZIP codes in San Marcos
3 in or overlapping San Marcos. Population shown
Cities near San Marcos
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake San MarcosCensus-designated place | 2 mi | 1.7 |
| Harmony GroveCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Elfin ForestCensus-designated place | 3.6 mi | 2 |
| VistaCity | 5.2 mi | 19 |
| Del DiosCensus-designated place | 5.3 mi | 0.4 |
| CarlsbadCity | 6.1 mi | 37.8 |
| EscondidoCity | 6.6 mi | 37.4 |
| Hidden MeadowsCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Rancho Santa FeCensus-designated place | 7.7 mi | 6.7 |
| EncinitasCity | 8.1 mi | 19.1 |
| BonsallCensus-designated place | 9.8 mi | 13.6 |
| Fairbanks RanchCensus-designated place | 9.8 mi | 5.1 |
| OceansideCity | 10 mi | 41.3 |
| Valley CenterCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 27.4 |
| Solana BeachCity | 11 mi | 3.4 |
| Del MarCity | 13 mi | 1.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is San Marcos, CA in?
- San Marcos is in San Diego County, California.
- What ZIP codes are in San Marcos, CA?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping San Marcos include 92069, 92078, 92096.
- What is the population of San Marcos, CA?
- About 94,882 people live in San Marcos, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near San Marcos?
- Nearby places include Lake San Marcos (2 mi), Harmony Grove (3.2 mi), Elfin Forest (3.6 mi), Vista (5.2 mi), Del Dios (5.3 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023