Explore Foster City local geography, civic resources and voter guides, with dated official population and registration facts for San Mateo County.
At a glance: Foster City is an incorporated city in San Mateo County. Population: 32,364 (California Department of Finance estimate as of January 1, 2026). Registered voters: 18,579 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
Foster City occupies a planned Bayfront landscape east of San Mateo, where lagoons, bridges and levees shape the street pattern. Water is central to its character, from residential channels to the broad open shoreline. Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park provides a major public setting beside the central lagoon. The William E. Walker Recreation Center and Foster City Library support indoor recreation, learning and community activities. Foster City incorporated on April 27, 1971. It is a general-law city with a council-manager government, and its municipal responsibilities include lagoon and levee maintenance alongside conventional city services. These details appear in the county's Foster City profile.
Yes. Lagoon and levee maintenance are specifically identified among Foster City's municipal services.
Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park borders the central lagoon and is a principal recreation destination.
San Mateo County elections supplies official voter and ballot information; the city clerk handles local municipal election records.
18,579 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
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