With a population of 96,086 as of the 2020 census, San Marcos is a mid-sized city located in the North County region of San Diego County, California. Though technically located in North County, San Marcos lies only 30 miles north of downtown San Diego and just south of Escondido. It is considered part of the San Diego metropolitan area.
History
The land that is now San Marcos was originally inhabited by the Luiseño Indians. In 1797, the first Spanish settlement was established in the area when Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was founded. The Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos was granted by Mexican Governor Pío Pico in 1845. In 1883, James and Margaret Cochran purchased the land and gradually more settlers came to the area to farm.
In 1887, the California Southern Railroad announced it was building a new line through the valley. The owners of Rancho Vallecitos donated 200 acres for the new town site, which they named San Marcos (Spanish for Saint Mark) after the early owner of Rancho Vallecitos, Marcos Alvarado. San Marcos was incorporated as a city on January 28, 1963.
Geography and Climate
San Marcos is located at 33°8′15′′N 117°12′9′′W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.9 square miles, all land. San Marcos is situated 510 feet above sea level.
San Marcos has a semi-arid subtropical Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average high temperature in summer is around 87°F and the average low in winter is 45°F. San Marcos gets an average of 201 days of sun per year and 15 inches of rain annually.
Demographics
According to the 2020 census, San Marcos had a population of 96,086 people. The racial makeup of the city was 65.2% White, 1.9% African American, 1.2% Native American, 9.1% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 16.5% from other races, and 5.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 40.8% of the population.
The median age in San Marcos is 32.7 years old. 23.5% of residents are under the age of 18 and 12.4% are over the age of 65. There are slightly more females (51%) than males (49%).
The median household income in San Marcos is $81,800 and 5.5% of families live below the poverty line. 91.4% of adult residents have a high school diploma and 38.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Government and Infrastructure
San Marcos has a Council-Manager form of government. The city council consists of the Mayor and four City Council members who are elected by the citizens to staggered four-year terms. The city council appoints a professional City Manager to oversee the daily operations of the city and implement council policy.
The current Mayor of San Marcos is Rebecca Jones. The four City Council members are Sharon Jenkins, Maria Nunez, Randy Walton, and Julie Atekwana.
San Marcos City Hall is located at 1 Civic Center Drive. Residents can find information and services related to permits, public records, utility billing, and more on the City of San Marcos website.
Economy and Major Employers
San Marcos has a diverse local economy anchored by several major employers. According to the city’s website, the top employers in San Marcos are:
- California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) – 1,945 employees
- San Marcos Unified School District – 1,500 employees
- Nordson Corporation – 860 employees
- City of San Marcos – 455 employees
- Costco Wholesale – 350 employees
Other major employers include Cosco Fire Protection, Hunter Industries, Helen Woodward Animal Center, GC Micro, and Square Root 3 Inc. The city’s central location between Los Angeles and San Diego along with excellent transportation access makes it attractive to businesses.
The education, health services, retail trade, and manufacturing sectors provide the bulk of employment opportunities in San Marcos. The city’s business parks are home to high tech and biotech companies focused on innovation and research.
CSUSM, Palomar College, and MiraCosta College bring thousands of students and faculty to San Marcos. The city is committed to supporting economic growth through workforce development, business partnerships, and quality infrastructure.
Attractions and Landmarks
Despite its small size, San Marcos boasts several unique attractions and landmarks that draw visitors throughout the year.
Old California Restaurant Row includes the historic buildings from Front Street and features shops and dining in an old west theme. Visitors can pan for gold, take an old west photo, and enjoy shows at the town hall.
The Double Peak Park covers 200 acres and features hiking trails leading to a panoramic view from the 1,644 foot Double Peak summit. On a clear day, you can see Palomar Mountain, Downtown San Diego, and Mexico.
The Discovery Lake offers fishing, non-motorized boats rentals, and a playground. Concerts and movie screenings take place during summer months.
The Walnut Grove Park spans 130 acres and includes thepopular San Marcos Community Center as well as a large skatepark.
Recreation and Sports
Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home in San Marcos with over 30 parks, 18 miles of trails, and Lake San Marcos for boating and fishing. There are several public and private golf courses in the area including the renowned Twin Oaks Golf Course designed by Ted Robinson Sr.
The city operates two community centers, a senior center, and an aquatics center with a competition pool. There is an active women’s club, farmer’s market, concerts in the park, and seasonal special events.
San Marcos is home to the California State University San Marcos Cougars who compete in NCAA Division II sports. The Cougars have won national championships in women’s golf and men’s baseball.
Housing
Over 60% of San Marcos housing units are single-family homes, while 38% of housing is multi-unit structures like apartments and condos. The median home value is currently around $635,000, having risen sharply in the past few years like much of Southern California. The overall cost of living index for San Marcos is 147, which is considered higher than the national average.
New residential and mixed-use developments continue to be built in the city, particularly along the 78 corridor and near CSUSM and Palomar College. These help provide housing for students and the growing population.
Education
The San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) provides public education for grades K-12. SMUSD operates nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. Highly ranked schools include San Marcos High School, Woodland Park Middle School, and Richland Elementary. There are also several charter and magnet schools in San Marcos such as Twin Oaks Elementary and Mission Hills High School.
Higher education options include Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM) and Palomar College. CSUSM has over 15,000 students and offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees across six colleges. Palomar College is a community college with over 25,000 enrolled students.
Healthcare
San Marcos is served by Palomar Medical Center and Palomar Health clinics for medical care. The city is also within close proximity to major hospitals in Oceanside, Escondido, and San Diego. San Diego County emergency services operate ambulances and fire crews from Station 5 located in San Marcos.
Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Medical Group, Arch Health, and Scripps also operate facilities in San Marcos, providing patients with access to primary care, specialists, imaging, and lab services.
There are numerous dentist offices, optometrists, physical therapy clinics, and alternative medicine providers located throughout the city and surrounding communities as well.
Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment
Shopping centers in San Marcos include Grand Plaza, Creekside Marketplace, Nordahl Marketplace, and San Marcos Marketplace. They offer big box stores like Walmart, Target, and Lowe’s along with smaller retailers and restaurants.
Popular restaurants range from fast casual chains like Chipotle and Panera Bread to family-owned establishments serving Mexican, Asian, Italian, and diverse international cuisine. Fine dining options include Firefly Grill and Delicias.
Nightlife and entertainment hot spots include Draft Republic, Joe’s Bar and Grill, Cask Alehouse, Mainstream Bar and Grill, Wild Barrel Brewing, and Golden Egg Omelet House open 24 hours.
Residents also enjoy farmer’s markets, coffee shops, yoga studios, day spas, and boutique shopping in the historic center of town.
Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas is a modern movie theater near Lake San Marcos with comfortable reclining seats, bar and food menu.
Continued residential and commercial growth is on the horizon for San Marcos, but the city aims to maintain its small town charm, natural beauty, and high quality of life for residents.