San Mateo County, California: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

San Mateo County is a county located in the San Francisco Bay Area. It covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula just south of San Francisco and north of Santa Clara County. San Francisco International Airport is located at the northern end of the county, and Silicon Valley begins at the southern end. As of 2000 the population was 707,161. The county seat is Redwood City.

History

San Mateo County was formed from parts of San Francisco County in 1856.

The county bears the Spanish name for Saint Matthew. As a place name, St. Matthew appears as early as 1776, and the arroyo, the point and the settlement at the unofficial San Mateo Mission are all so designated on the early maps. Until about 1850, the name appeared as San Matheo.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,919 km² (741 mi²). 1,163 km² (449 mi²) of it is land and 756 km² (292 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 39.40% water.

As of the census² of 2000, there are 707,161 people, 254,103 households, and 171,265 families residing in the county. The population density is 608/km² (1,575/mi²). There are 260,576 housing units at an average density of 224/km² (580/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 59.49% White, 3.51% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 20.04% Asian, 1.33% Pacific Islander, 10.17% from other races, and 5.02% from two or more races. 21.88% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 254,103 households out of which 31.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% are married couples living together, 10.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% are non-families. 24.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.74 and the average family size is 3.29.

In the county the population is spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 33.20% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $70,819, and the median income for a family is $80,737. Males have a median income of $51,342 versus $40,383 for females. The per capita income for the county is $36,045. 5.80% of the population and 3.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 6.00% are under the age of 18 and 5.10% are 65 or older.

• Atherton
• Belmont
• Brisbane
• Broadmoor
• Burlingame
• Colma
• Daly City
• East Palo Alto
• El Granada
• Foster City
• Half Moon Bay
• Highlands-Baywood Park
• Hillsborough
• La Honda
• Loma Mar
• Menlo Park
• Millbrae
• Montara
• Moss Beach
• Pacifica
• Pescadero
• Portola Valley
• Redwood City
  • Emerald Lake Hills
  • North Fair Oaks
• San Bruno
• San Carlos
• San Gregorio
• San Mateo
• South San Francisco
• West Menlo Park
• Woodside

• Coyote Point
• Coyote Point Marina
• Crystal Springs
• Edgewood Park
• Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
• Flood Park
• Heritage Grove
• Huddart Park
• Junipero Serra
• Memorial Park
• Pescadero Creek
• Quarry Park
• Sam MacDonald Park
• San Bruno Mountain
• San Mateo Fishing Pier
• San Pedro Valley Park
• Sanchez Adobe
• San Bruno Mountain
• Woodside Store