| City: | Rancho Santa Margarita, California |
| City Alias: | Rancho Sta Marg, Rcho Sta Marg, Rsm |
| County: | Orange County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:33:01 PM |
| Population: | 44,688 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 949 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 33.6229, -117.6083 |
| Land Area: | 13.22 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 92688 has 44,688 residents and 16,073 households (average 2.78 persons per household). The median age is 38.5 years, slightly older than the state (37.5) and about the same as the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.5% male and 51.5% female, which is about the same as the state male share (49.4%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (60.9%, much higher than the state average of 41.2%) and Hispanic or Latino (22.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 22.4%, which is much lower than the state average (39.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 44,688Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 43,937Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 45,177Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3,380.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $142,015Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 16,073Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $857,100Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.78Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.75Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 43,852 | 44,302 | 44,767 | 45,074 | 45,226 | 45,105 | 45,062 | 45,178 | 44,832 | 44,586 | 44,386 | 44,444 | 43,937 |
| Decennial Census | 43,792 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 44,688 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 38.5
Male Median Age: 37
Female Median Age: 39.8
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,232 | 1,502 | 1,680 | 1,687 | 1,392 | 1,369 | 1,371 | 1,497 | 1,515 | 1,593 | 1,770 | 1,741 | 1,353 | 820 | 514 | 282 | 166 | 187 |
| Female | 1,149 | 1,371 | 1,524 | 1,660 | 1,319 | 1,406 | 1,485 | 1,662 | 1,692 | 1,770 | 2,056 | 1,946 | 1,388 | 931 | 644 | 401 | 286 | 327 |
| Total | 2,381 | 2,873 | 3,204 | 3,347 | 2,711 | 2,775 | 2,856 | 3,159 | 3,207 | 3,363 | 3,826 | 3,687 | 2,741 | 1,751 | 1,158 | 683 | 452 | 514 |
| White: | 27,230 | 57.00% |
| Black: | 802 | 1.68% |
| Hispanic:* | 9,991 | 20.91% |
| Asian: | 5,952 | 12.46% |
| American Indian: | 275 | 0.58% |
| Hawaiian: | 97 | 0.20% |
| Other: | 3,426 | 7.17% |
| Total: | 47,773 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 21,671 | 48.49% | 37.0 years |
| Females: | 23,017 | 51.51% | 39.8 years |
| Total: | 44,688 | 100% | 38.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 33,500 | 76.25% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 567 | 1.29% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 6,174 | 14.05% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 3,696 | 22.46% |
| Total Population: | 43,937 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 34,067 | 77.54% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 9,870 | 22.46% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $142,015, which is much higher than the national median ($78,538), is up $41,627 (41.5%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $25,951. Family households earn a median of $170,882 versus $85,049 for nonfamily households (a difference of $85,833). By gender, male median income is $101,909 and female is $79,893, which is much higher than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $22,016 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 74.1%, which is markedly above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is considerably lower than the state rate (6.4%). The largest occupation group is Management (56.2%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $100,388 | $98,005 | $98,821 | $100,694 | $100,793 | $99,342 | $103,215 | $108,876 | $116,064 | $116,557 | $127,522 | $141,089 | $142,015 |
| Median Family Income | $112,873 | $113,321 | $114,472 | $115,194 | $115,991 | $114,307 | $116,487 | $128,275 | $135,183 | $145,363 | $152,689 | $170,525 | $170,882 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $58,563 | $57,096 | $55,803 | $57,352 | $54,388 | $58,878 | $60,732 | $66,467 | $64,420 | $65,515 | $68,310 | $82,928 | $85,049 |
| Median Male Income | $80,088 | $80,009 | $79,277 | $79,300 | $79,372 | $77,205 | $79,971 | $89,625 | $88,239 | $93,420 | $98,164 | $101,265 | $101,909 |
| Median Female Income | $57,255 | $55,195 | $56,406 | $56,277 | $56,191 | $54,974 | $61,870 | $66,471 | $65,891 | $65,912 | $67,735 | $72,368 | $79,893 |
| Employed: | 24,972 | 71.06% |
| Unemployed: | 1,085 | 3.09% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 9,085 | 25.85% |
| Total: | 35,142 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 14,022 | 56.15% |
| Service: | 2,832 | 11.34% |
| Sales and Office: | 5,062 | 20.27% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,151 | 4.61% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 1,905 | 7.63% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 24,972 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $857,100, which is considerably higher than the national median ($303,400), is up $324,000 (60.78%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $229,400. The median gross rent is $2,508, which is markedly greater than the national median ($1,348), is up $869 (53.02%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $448. Of occupied housing, owners make up 69.55% (82.95% with a mortgage, 17.05% free-and-clear) and renters 30.45% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 2.62%, which is markedly below the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $533,100 | $492,300 | $474,800 | $491,400 | $516,000 | $543,100 | $583,900 | $618,400 | $627,700 | $638,000 | $673,400 | $819,000 | $857,100 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 43 | 0.88% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 83 | 1.71% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 306 | 6.30% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 1,977 | 40.69% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 1,300 | 26.75% |
| $3,000 or more: | 1,150 | 23.67% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 4,859 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,639 | $1,662 | $1,673 | $1,689 | $1,709 | $1,750 | $1,827 | $1,948 | $2,060 | $2,165 | $2,276 | $2,446 | $2,508 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 9,207 | 57.70% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 1,892 | 11.86% |
| Renter Occupied: | 4,859 | 30.45% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 15,958 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 15,958 | 97.38% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 430 | 2.62% |
| Total Housing Units: | 16,388 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 11,438 | 69.79% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 4,900 | 29.90% |
| Other Units: | 50 | 0.31% |
| Total Housing Units: | 16,388 | 100% |
In 2023, 48.60% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.00%), well above both the state and national averages. High school or higher is 94.30%, which is markedly above the state rate (84.60%). The uninsured rate is 5.20%, which is falls below the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 83.20%, which is notably higher than the state rate (64.00%). Public coverage is 17.80%, which is markedly below the state rate (38.90%). The share of people in poverty is 5.40%, which is falls below the national rate (8.70%), up 2.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.80 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (35.99%). College enrollment is 25.23%, which is generally lower than the state rate (30.00%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 850 | 2.78% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 890 | 2.91% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 4,007 | 13.09% |
| Some college, no degree: | 7,202 | 23.53% |
| Associate's degree: | 2,793 | 9.13% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 9,879 | 32.28% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 4,983 | 16.28% |
| Total: | 30,604 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 28,864 | 94.31% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 14,862 | 48.56% |
| Private Insurance: | 36,554 | 78.38% |
| Public Insurance: | 7,799 | 16.72% |
| No Insurance: | 2,281 | 4.89% |
| Total: | 46,634 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 44,353 | 95.11% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 3.4% | 4.2% | 4.1% | 3.8% | 4.1% | 4.7% | 4.5% | 3.9% | 3.6% | 5.0% | 4.1% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 985 | 8.67% |
| Kindergarten: | 478 | 4.21% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 4,088 | 35.99% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 2,943 | 25.91% |
| College or graduate school: | 2,866 | 25.23% |
| Total: | 11,360 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 1,463 | 12.88% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 7,509 | 66.10% |
ZIP Code 92688 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 1,156 business establishments, employing about 17,871 people with an annual payroll of $1,080,246,000. USPS data shows 16,251 residential mailboxes and 678 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 16,251Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 678Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 17,295Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 1,886Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 2,867Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 1,156Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $275,813,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,080,246,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 17,871Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 92688 is located in Orange County, California, within the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 31080) and California's 40th and 49th Congressional Districts. This Metro area has a population of 13,012,469 people, about 0.34% of whom live in ZIP Code 92688, and is subdivided into the Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA division. It covers 13.22 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.019 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 31080Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA (CBSA Div 11244)Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 13,012,469Source: Census |
| MSA: | Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 13.22 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.019 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 40,49Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 57.69, 553.08 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Orange County, CA PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0659587Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Rancho Santa Margarita city; CaliforniaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 92688 is part of 2 school districts, including: Capistrano Unified School District (Grades KG thru 12) and Saddleback Valley Unified School District (Grades Kindergarten thru 12th). There are 10 public schools and 5 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.