Lake San Marcos, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Lake San Marcos is a small town in California with a population of 4,996. Residents earn $100,676 per year, which is 34% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
4,996 Population 2,922/sq mi density
$100,676 Median Income $57,383 per capita
$859,600 Home Value
$2,615 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$100,676 median income, 1.7% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.8 / 5.0
$859,600 home value, $2,615/mo rent
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $100,676
34% higher than US avg
Home Value $859,600
205% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.5%
5% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,615
125% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.0%
25% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

How Lake San Marcos Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,996
Median Age60.1 yrs
Density2,922/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 69%

Economy

A+
Median Income$100,676
Per Capita$57,383
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute22 min

Housing

D
Home Value$859,600
Rent$2,615
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity24.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.4 in/yr
Elevation503 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.5%
High School+87.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute22 min
Libraries67

Is Lake San Marcos a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake San Marcos receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Lake San Marcos offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake San Marcos is $100,676, which is significantly higher than the national average — 34% above $75,149. This places Lake San Marcos among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake San Marcos is $859,600, making it a premium housing market at 205% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,615 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 87.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake San Marcos enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Lake San Marcos has a population of 4,996 with a density of 2,922 people per square mile. The median age is 60.1 years, 54% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (68.7%).

Population

4,996
Total Population
2,922
People / sq mi
60.1yrs
Median Age
54% above US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake San Marcos vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.1%
12% above US avg
Spanish11.9%
11% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake San Marcos vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake San Marcos is $100,676, which is 34% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Lake San Marcos vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$100,676
34% above US avg
Per Capita Income$57,383
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home21.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake San Marcos is $859,600, 205% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,615 (125% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$859,600
205% above US avg
Median List Price$899,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$899,450
$/Sq Ft$629
Homes Sold23
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops26.9%
Inventory26

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,615
125% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate1.17%
In Lake San Marcos, 24.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 15.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake San Marcos vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.0%
25% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
High Blood Pressure25.3%
Asthma9.4%
COPD4.1%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity15.8%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.2%
Checkup Rate72.2%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951

Crime Rates: Lake San Marcos vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Lake San Marcos has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average62.5°F
16% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.4 inches
70% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation503 ft (153 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density2,922/sq mi
Coordinates33.1224°N, 117.2086°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 35.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (5% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.5%
5% above US avg
High School+87.4%
School Test Score4.69
B+ Education Grade (3.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,922/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home21.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Lake San Marcos with another city: