City Profile

Overview

Known as the "Gateway to the Peninsula", Daly City is located at the northernmost edge of San Mateo County adjacent to San Francisco and extends from the Pacific Ocean on the west to nearly San Francisco Bay on the east. Daly City, central to two of the Bay Area's major job growth zones of San Francisco and San Mateo counties, has become a regional hub for retail, healthcare, and small business. Because of its central location, diversified economy, excellent transportation links, and a growing young and productive labor force, Daly City's future for economic growth is bright.

Transportation

Daly City's extensive transportation infrastructure includes Highways 101 and 82, Interstate 280, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. Interstate 280, which bisects Daly City, is a primary transportation corridor linking San Francisco with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Daly City is approximately eight miles south of downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco International Airport is just nine miles from the City; both are easily accessible by freeway or BART. Daly City is also served by the San Mateo and San Francisco transit systems.

Form of Government

Daly City is a General Law City (authority is set forth in the California Government Code) governed by a council-manager form of government in which the five-member City Council appoints the City Manager. The City Manager oversees an Executive Leadership Team in the operation of eight departments employing approximately 475 staff with an annual estimated budget of $150 million.

The Council-Manager Government Frequently Asked Questions information was provided courtesy of the International City/Council Management Association (ICMA).

Population

According to the California State Department of Finance, Daly City has a current population of 102,593, which makes it San Mateo County's largest city by population. The City is expected to remain in this position for the next twenty-five years according to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).

View a summary of Daly City's 2010 census population (PDF). For more detailed census information, visit the U.S. Census Bureau website-your source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data.

Labor Force & Major Employers

Daly City has a labor force of 51,850 (mid-2004 estimate). Based upon ABAGs estimate of 25,320 local jobs, this equates to a participation rate of about 49%. Approximately 51% of Daly City's employed labor force works in San Francisco, about 17% work in either Daly City or South San Francisco and the remainder work in other Bay Area communities. As of mid-2004, Daly City posted an unemployment rate of 5.3%, below the 6.1% statewide rate.

City Finance & Taxes

  • Sales Tax: 9.88%
  • Transient Occupancy Tax: 13% 

If you are a new or existing business interested in locating or relocating within Daly City, please visit Commercial Opportunities where you will find opportunities to rent, purchase, or list available commercial space.