The city has drafted ordinances protecting sensitive wildlife habitat, one of the first such ordinances within the State of California. The city has also promised to protect a certain amount of land within city limits from development of any kind, along with spending significant funds to restore habitats destroyed by newer development projects.
Because of its coastal location, scenic beauty, low population density, thriving commercial sector, abundance of upscale housing, and high performing school districts, Carlsbad is known for its high quality of life. Land is also a premium, thus, real estate is rather expensive even for Southern California. The annual Forbes Magazine ranking of the "Most Expensive ZIP Codes" in the U.S. ranked Carlsbad ZIP codes as some of the most expensive in the nation.
As of the census of 2000, there were 78,247 people, 31,521 households, and 20,898 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,090.2 people per square mile (806.9/km²). There were 33,798 housing units at an average density of 902.8/sq mi (348.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.55% White, 0.96% African American, 0.42% Native American, 4.24% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 4.65% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.72% of the population.
There were 31,521 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $79,444, and the median income for a family was $100,932.[2] Males had a median income of $54,826 versus $39,415 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,863. About 3.4% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
According to estimates made by the CBRE Demographic Report in 2005, an estimated average household income for Carlsbad neighborhoods (92008, 92009, 92010, 92011) were as follows: $106,459, $108,364, $111,483 respectively when compared to the 2005 estimated national per capita income of $44,805.