Pacific Grove is a town in Monterey County, California, with a total population of 15,522 as of the 2000 census.

The town sits between its two better-known neighbors, Pebble Beach and Monterey. Carmel-by-the-Sea is the next town over, and Big Sur is a few miles further south. Pacific Grove is a favorite vacation getaway for Silicon Valley and San Francisco residents, located on the ocean about 60 minutes' drive south from San Jose or about 2.5 hours south from San Francisco.

Pacific Grove ("PG" to the residents) is cute and quaint without being too cute. It's home to more Victorian houses per capita than anywhere else in America, many of which have been turned into tasteful B&B inns. PG's four square miles are almost all coastline; the town does not allow development on the water-side of the street, so all the beaches and scenic points are unobstructed and easily accessible.

Pacific Grove is known for its Victorian homes, its proximity to Pebble Beach golfing and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the annual migration of the Monarch butterflies. The black-and-orange butterflies spend the winter in the local eucalyptus trees from Halloween until Valentine's Day each year.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.4 km² (4.0 mi²). 7.4 km² (2.9 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 28.43% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 15,522 people, 7,316 households, and 3,972 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,088.2/km² (5,399.2/mi²). There are 8,032 housing units at an average density of 1,080.5/km² (2,793.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 88.04% White, 1.14% African American, 0.55% Native American, 4.50% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 1.78% from other races, and 3.73% from two or more races. 7.14% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 7,316 households out of which 21.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% are married couples living together, 9.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% are non-families. 36.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.10 and the average family size is 2.75.

In the city the population is spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 45 years. For every 100 females there are 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $50,254, and the median income for a family is $59,569. Males have a median income of $43,897 versus $35,924 for females. The per capita income for the city is $31,277. 5.4% of the population and 3.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.6% of those under the age of 18 and 3.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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