Half Moon Bay, California

Half Moon Bay is a town located in San Mateo county, California, USA, with a total population of 11,842 as of the 2000 census.

Geography

Half Moon Bay is located at 37°27'32" North, 122°26'13" West (37.458840, -122.436848)¹, approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco, 10 miles west of San Mateo, California, and 45 miles north of Santa Cruz, California. Neighboring towns include Montara, Moss Beach, and El Granada to the north and San Gregorio and Pescadero to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.8 km² (6.5 mi²). 16.8 km² (6.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.31% water.

It sits on a bay of the same name. Major local industries include agriculture (houseplants, floriculture, Christmas trees, pumpkins, artichokes), fishing, and tourism. Historically, Half Moon Bay has been known as San Felipe and Spanishtown.

A popular spot at Half Moon Bay is the 'Jetty,' or as it is sometimes called, 'The Breakwater.' This is a man-made break with unusual waves shaped by reflections from the breakwater at Half Moon Bay harbor.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 11,842 people, 4,004 households, and 2,774 families residing in the city. The population density is 706.7/km² (1,829.8/mi²). There are 4,114 housing units at an average density of 245.5/km² (635.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 77.27% White, 3.91% African American, 0.44% Native American, 3.39% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 11.04% from other races, and 3.83% from two or more races. 23.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,004 households out of which 30.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% are married couples living together, 7.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% are non-families. 23.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.75 and the average family size is 3.20.

In the city the population is spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 112.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 115.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $78,473, and the median income for a family is $92,204. Males have a median income of $60,913 versus $41,265 for females. The per capita income for the city is $37,963. 6.1% of the population and 3.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Half Moon Bay is the home of the world famous "Mavericks" breakwater with waves so large that the greatest surfers in the world visit annually for an invitation-only competition.

Half Moon Bay hosts an annual "Art and Pumpkin Festival" on Main Street downtown. 250,000 people descend on this town every October for this world-renowned festival.