Rio del Mar, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Rio del Mar is a small city in California with a population of 8,938. Residents earn $150,313 per year, which is 100% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
8,938 Population 2,979/sq mi density
$150,313 Median Income $91,497 per capita
$1,242,600 Home Value
$3,172 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$150,313 median income, 3.6% unemployment
D
Affordability
2.0 / 5.0
$1,242,600 home value, $3,172/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
61.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $150,313
100% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,242,600
341% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 61.4%
82% higher than US avg
Median Rent $3,172
173% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 23.5%
27% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.6%
87% lower than US avg

How Rio del Mar Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,938
Median Age51.4 yrs
Density2,979/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

A+
Median Income$150,313
Per Capita$91,497
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$3,285M
Commute32 min

Housing

D
Home Value$1,242,600
Rent$3,172
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity23.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain22.4 in/yr
Elevation127 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+61.4%
High School+98.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 55%
Commute32 min
Libraries3

Is Rio del Mar a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rio del Mar receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Rio del Mar offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rio del Mar is $150,313, which is significantly higher than the national average — 100% above $75,149. This places Rio del Mar among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rio del Mar is $1,242,600, making it a premium housing market at 341% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $3,172 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Rio del Mar is a highly educated community — 61.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rio del Mar enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Rio del Mar has a population of 8,938 with a density of 2,979 people per square mile. The median age is 51.4 years, 32% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.4%), with 3.7% Hispanic.

Population

8,938
Total Population
2,979
People / sq mi
51.4yrs
Median Age
32% above US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Rio del Mar vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.7%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.3%
16% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rio del Mar vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rio del Mar is $150,313, which is 100% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Rio del Mar vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$150,313
100% above US avg
Per Capita Income$91,497
Avg Weekly Wage$1,154
IRS Avg AGI$88,750

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.6%
87% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,930
County GDP$3,285M

Business (County)

Restaurants113
Healthcare110
Retail120
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,874
125% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.8 min
Work from Home30.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Rio del Mar is $1,242,600, 341% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $3,172 (173% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,242,600
341% above US avg
Median List Price$1,425,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,425,000
$/Sq Ft$725
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio99.5%
Price Drops31.6%
Inventory38

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$3,172
173% 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-Occupied77.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,874
125% above US avg
Effective Rate0.63%
In Rio del Mar, 23.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.9% report depression. 14.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rio del Mar vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity23.5%
27% below US avg
Diabetes6.8%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure25.0%
Asthma9.8%
COPD3.6%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity14.0%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress9.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.9%
Checkup Rate70.5%
Premature Death6,316/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access83.6%
Healthcare Facilities110

Crime Rates: Rio del Mar vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Rio del Mar has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. Annual precipitation is 22.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

51°F Jan (10°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average57.2°F
6% above US avg
January Average51°F (10°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall22.4 inches
41% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation127 ft (39 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²)
Population Density2,979/sq mi
Coordinates36.9579°N, 121.8848°W
County FIPS06069
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 61.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 12.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.3%
D 54.9%

Winner: Democrat by 12.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+61.4%
82% above US avg
High School+98.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,979/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities110
Restaurants113
Retail Stores120

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.8 min
Work from Home30.2%

Nearby Cities

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