San Mateo, California
San Mateo: The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
About
San Mateo is a city located in the county of San Mateo in the U.S. state of California. Its population at the 2010 census was 97,207. After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 102,398 inhabitants.
The city was created 131 years ago in 1894.
The area that is now San Mateo was originally home to the Ohlone Native Americans. Spanish missionaries arrived in the late 1700s. In the 1840s, the Rancho San Mateo land grant was established for cattle grazing.
San Mateo was incorporated as a city in 1894. It grew as a suburban residential community, boosted by the establishment of a railroad connecting it to San Francisco.
Major Industries and Attractions
Key industries today include technology, biotechnology, education, healthcare, retail, and financial services. Top employers are Sony, San Mateo Medical Center, San Mateo Union High School District, and Franklin Templeton Investments.
Popular attractions include the San Mateo County History Museum, Central Park, and the Japanese Tea Garden. The San Mateo Performing Arts Center hosts concerts and theater.
Downtown San Mateo offers restaurants, shops, galleries, and nightlife. The city has an excellent school system and over 15 parks.
Demographics and Culture
San Mateo is diverse with 41% Asian, 30% Hispanic/Latino, and 24% white populations. The city celebrates cultural festivals like Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, and Juneteenth.
San Mateo is considered family-friendly with a low crime rate, top-ranked schools, and family-oriented neighborhoods. Over 60% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
San Mateo Today
Known for its desirable location next to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, San Mateo continues to draw new residents and businesses. It maintains a small-town feel through community events and historic preservation. Continued development aims to provide amenities while controlling housing costs.
Quick Facts about San Mateo
| Population | 102,398 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | California (United States) |
| County | San Mateo County |
| Phone Area Codes | 650 |
| Water as percent of area | 23.63% |
| Land as percent of area | 76.37% |
| Latitude & Longitude | 37.5630,-122.3255 |
| Altitude | 151 feet / 46 meters |
| Establishment | September 04, 1894 (131 years ago) |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time Zone, UTC−07:00, UTC−08:00 |
| Local time | 03:42:02 (18th April 2026) |
| Postal code | 94401 |
| Population growth | 5.07% (2010-2020) |
Geography
San Mateo is located at 37°33'47"N 122°19'32"W (37.5629900, -122.3255300).
San Mateo map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
Official website of San Mateo
Official Website- San Pablo
- Toyonaka
- Varde Municipality
Demographics
The population of San Mateo increased by 5.07% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 97,207 | - | census |
| 2011 | 98,518 | 1.33% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 99,816 | 1.3% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 101,323 | 1.49% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 102,695 | 1.34% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 103,509 | 0.79% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 104,357 | 0.81% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 104,389 | 0.03% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 104,885 | 0.47% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 104,430 | -0.44% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 102,398 | -1.98% | estimation process |
Where to Stay in San Mateo
1Stone Villa Inn
2175 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Phone: +16504586556 | Website available
2Howard Johnson Express San Mateo
2110 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Website available
3The Catrina Hotel
2110 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Phone: +16503419231 | Website available
Services and Civic Places in San Mateo
1San Mateo City Hall
330 W 20th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Phone: +16505227000 | Website available
2San Mateo Building Inspections
330 W 20th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Phone: +16505227170 | Website available
3City of San Mateo Human Resources Department
330 W 20th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Phone: +16505227260 | Website available
4San Mateo Finance Department
330 W 20th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Phone: +16505227100 | Website available
5San Mateo City Manager
San Mateo, CA 94403, United States View details
Phone: +16505227000 | Website available
People born in San Mateo (136)
People born in San Mateo, including association football player Chioma Igwe, politician Zoe Lofgren, actress Diane Varsi, .
More notable people
- Lina Basquette (American actress (1907-1994)) she was born in 19/04/1907
- Barbara Roles (American figure skater) she was born in 06/04/1941
- Tom Brady (American football player) he was born in 03/08/1977
- Dennis Haysbert (actor) he was born in 02/06/1954
- Keith Carradine (American actor) he was born in 08/08/1949
- Ann Kiyomura (US female tennis player) she was born in 22/08/1955
- Sam Francis (American artist (1923-1994)) he was born in 25/06/1923
- Merv Griffin (American singer and television game show producer (1925-2007)) he was born in 06/07/1925
- Michael Allen (professional golfer) he was born in 31/01/1959
- Michael Trucco (American actor) he was born in 22/06/1970
- Barry Bostwick (American actor) he was born in 24/02/1945
- Rob Wasserman (American musician) he was born in 01/04/1952
- Paul Terry (Cartoonist, screenwriter, film director) he was born in 19/02/1887
- Bud Black (baseball manager and former pitcher from the United States) he was born in 30/06/1957
- Marc McClure (American actor) he was born in 31/03/1957
- Donald B. Ayer (American university teacher and lawyer) he was born in 30/04/1949
- Erik Van Dillen (American tennis player) he was born in 21/02/1951
- E. Preston Ames (Hollywood art director) he was born in 15/07/1906
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to San Mateo, CA. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 459213 | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Mateo (CA) | 94403 |
| 122791 | College of San Mateo | San Mateo (CA) | 94402-3784 |
| 120184 | Notre Dame de Namur University | Belmont (CA) | 94002-1908 |
| 111434 | Canada College | Redwood City (CA) | 94061-1099 |
| 123509 | Skyline College | San Bruno (CA) | 94066-1698 |
Nearby Transit Stations (49)
Rail and bus stations connected to San Mateo, CA. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAY | Hayward station | 22555 Meekland Avenue | RAIL |
| OAC | Oakland Coliseum station | 700 73rd Avenue | RAIL |
| SFV | San Francisco (Civic Center), California | 1150 Market Street | BUS |
| SFP | San Francisco (Caltrain), California | 700 4th St. | BUS |
| SFM | San Francisco (Conv Ctr), California | 747 Howard St. | BUS |
Closest post offices linked to San Mateo.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Matthew Post Office | San Mateo (CA) | 94401 |
| San Ma Post Office | San Mateo (CA) | 94402 |
| Burlingam Post Office | Burlingame (CA) | 94010 |
| 25th Avenu Post Office | San Mateo (CA) | 94403 |
| Capuchino Station Post Office | Burlingame (CA) | 94010 |
Other cities in San Mateo County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in San Mateo County , CA. (more)
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Daly City | 106,280 | The most populous city in San Mateo County, California. |
| Redwood City | 85,925 | A city in San Mateo County, California. |
| South San Francisco | 66,558 | The most populous city in San Mateo County, California. |
| San Bruno | 44,051 | A city in San Mateo County, California. |
| Pacifica | 38,013 | City in San Mateo County, California, USA |
| Menlo Park | 34,934 | City at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California |
| Foster City | 33,901 | City in San Mateo County, California, United States |
| San Carlos | 29,641 | City in San Mateo County, California, USA |
| Burlingame | 29,557 | City in the U. |
| East Palo Alto | 29,059 | City in San Mateo County, California, United States |
| Belmont | 26,533 | Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Millbrae | 22,630 | City in California |
| Half Moon Bay | 12,513 | City in San Mateo County, California |
| Hillsborough | 11,527 | City in California |
| Atherton | 7,011 | City in California |
| Woodside | 5,508 | Town in San Mateo County, California, United States |
Distance to Other Cities
San Mateo distances to largest California cities