The city of Santa Margarita, California is midway between Atascadero and San Luis Obispo and has a population of 66,498. The current Land Use Ordinance limits the density of residential development to 15 units per acre. In addition, the city boasts 14 acres of community park space with playground equipment and tennis facilities. There are a few businesses in Santa Margarita that have off-street parking.
The most prevalent job groups in Santa Margarita are Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations, Construction / Extraction, and Personal Care - Retail & Service. These three industries employ 47.85% of the city's workforce, with only a handful of residents without a degree or working for free. The highest paying industries in Santa Margarita, CA are Education, Health Care, and Arts & Recreation, each accounting for more than ten percent of the total workforce.
The city has adequate land for 100 percent increase in commercial development. However, the city faces some issues that affect property owners and residents. The County Department of Planning and Building has published maps for Santa Margarita and the surrounding areas. It is important to note that this planning plan is only a reference; official maps are available at the County Department of Planning and Building. The population, economy, and land use of Santa Margarita are discussed in this chapter. The discussion in this chapter is current as of the last major update to the Salinas River Area Plan.
The population of Santa Margarita, CA includes a diverse mix of people. The majority of residents are White, although there are also a small number of people of African descent. Chinese citizens make up the next-largest ethnic group. Hispanic residents account for 5.44% of the total population. While the city has a multicultural population, the majority of people speak English. Its majority is non-Hispanic white.