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Santa Margarita, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Santa Margarita is a small town in California with a population of 665.

5.0 /5.0
A+ Excellent
665 Population 1,279/sq mi density
$643,100 Home Value
$634 Median Rent 43.1% income on rent
61°F Avg Temperature 326 sunny days/yr
A+
Overall
5.0 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Home Value $643,100
128% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 50.2%
49% higher than US avg
Median Rent $634
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.0%
19% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

How Santa Margarita Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population665
Median Age62.3 yrs
Density1,279/mi²
Male / Female34% / 66%
Largest GroupWhite 83%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$69,560
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$24,505M
Commute20 min

Housing

Home Value$643,100
Rent$634
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units507
Rent Burden43.1%

Health

Obesity26.0%
Uninsured6.5%
Smoking10.3%
Depression24.0%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F (16°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain22.4 in/yr
Sunny Days326/yr
Elevation1,005 ft (306 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+50.2%
High School+97.9%
Graduate+14.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 54%
Commute20 min
Broadband56.6%
EV Stations1
Libraries17

Is Santa Margarita a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Santa Margarita receives an overall livability score of 5.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Santa Margarita stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Santa Margarita is $643,100, making it a premium housing market at 128% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $634 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Education

Santa Margarita is a highly educated community — 50.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Santa Margarita enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. With 326 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 22.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Santa Margarita has a population of 665 with a density of 1,279 people per square mile. The median age is 62.3 years, 60% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.6%), with 13.4% Hispanic.

Population

665
Total Population
1,279
People / sq mi
62.3yrs
Median Age
60% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 34%
Female 66%

Race & Ethnicity

Santa Margarita vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Santa Margarita vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Santa Margarita is N/A. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Santa Margarita vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$69,560
Avg Weekly Wage$1,179
IRS Avg AGI$98,019

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,662
County GDP$24,505M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,072
Healthcare1,220
Retail1,084
Manufacturing473

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,639
118% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.19%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Drive Alone36.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home34.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Santa Margarita is $643,100, 128% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $634 (45% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$643,100
128% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$598
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio104.1%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$634
45% below US avg
Rent Burden43.1%

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-Occupied34.7%
Housing Units507
Median Year Built1981

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,639
118% above US avg
Effective Rate1.19%
In Santa Margarita, 26.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.5% of residents lack health insurance. 10.3% are current smokers. 24.0% report depression. 17.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Santa Margarita vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.0%
19% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure26.3%
Asthma10.0%
COPD4.4%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking10.3%
26% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity17.0%
Depression24.0%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep30.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.8%
Uninsured6.5%
24% below US avg
Checkup Rate69.2%
Dental Visits72.7%
Premature Death6,206/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access86.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,220
Santa Margarita has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 22.4 inches. The area enjoys 326 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average60.6°F
12% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days326 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall22.4 inches
41% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,005 ft (306 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,279/sq mi
Coordinates35.3894°N, 120.6082°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06079
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 50.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.9-point margin. 56.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.1%
D 53.9%

Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+50.2%
49% above US avg
High School+97.9%
Graduate Degree+14.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,279/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access56.6%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities1,220
Restaurants1,072
Retail Stores1,084

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Drive Alone36.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home34.3%

Nearby Cities

California Polytechnic State University, CA 7,529 pop · 6.6 mi Atascadero, CA 29,735 pop · 8.0 mi San Luis Obispo, CA 48,039 pop · 9.2 mi Los Ranchos, CA 1,521 pop · 12.3 mi Templeton, CA 8,608 pop · 13.1 mi Los Osos, CA 15,048 pop · 13.5 mi Avila Beach, CA 1,365 pop · 14.6 mi Morro Bay, CA 10,717 pop · 14.7 mi Cayucos, CA 2,517 pop · 16.2 mi El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), CA 31,399 pop · 16.7 mi Pismo Beach, CA 8,024 pop · 16.7 mi Arroyo Grande, CA 18,412 pop · 18.4 mi Grover Beach, CA 12,687 pop · 18.6 mi Oceano, CA 7,098 pop · 19.9 mi
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