U.S. CENSUS: Notable Changes in Half Moon Bay's Population, Diversity, Housing Occupancy

Data released by the U.S. Census on Tuesday for 2010 showed some notable changes in Half Moon Bay's population over the last ten years: a decrease in population, a rise in the city's Latino residents, a decrease in the Black population, and a decrease in the housing occupancy rate.

Comparisons to state and county data showed that Half Moon Bay bucked the overall trend of population growth over the last 10 years: San Mateo County grew by 1.6 percent (from 707,163 to 718,451), while California's population increased by 10 percent (approximately 3.38 million people) from April 2000 to April 2010 -- resulting in a total of 37,253,956 people living within the borders of the Golden State.  

With a total population count of 11,324 in 2010, the size of Half Moon Bay's population shrunk by 4.4 percent (-518 people) compared to 2000. Its overall decrease in population followed the direction of similar (Coastside and more rural) incorporated towns in San Mateo County: Pacifica (down 3 percent in population), Portola Valley (-2.4 percent) and Woodside (-1.2 percent). All other towns in the county increased in population, with Foster City experiencing the greatest growth at 6 percent.

Statewide, Riverside County experienced major growth in its population with a 41 percent increase; in comparison, San Diego County had a 10 percent increase, and Los Angeles and San Francisco counties both rose by 3 percent.

While it experienced slight changes to its White and Asian populations -- a 1.5 percent decrease of the White population [77.3 percent (9,150 people) to 75.8 percent (8.580 people)] and an increase of about 1 percent of the Asian population [3.4 percent (402 people) to 4.3 percent (490 people)] -- Half Moon Bay became more diverse over the last 10 years in one way, and less diverse in another based on changes in its Latino and Black populations.

From 2000 to 2010, its Latino population grew from 23.2 percent (2,751 people) to 31.5 percent (3,563 people), and its Black population decreased from 3.9 percent (463) to 0.7 percent (82 people).

The housing unit occupancy rate in Half Moon Bay decreased by 5.6 percent. While data reflected that 100 percent of its 4,004 units were occupied in 2000, only 94.4 percent of its 4,395 units were occupied ten years later.

City and county officials were not available for comment at the time of publication.

Associate Regional Editor David Mills contributed to this story.

Correction 3/15: The word "vacancy" was replaced with the word "occupancy" to reflect the original intended meaning of the following sentence: The housing unit occupancy rate in Half Moon Bay decreased by 5.6 percent.