Town of Colma Profile

The Town of Colma is a unique, diverse community located on the San Francisco peninsula. It is truly a regional destination known for its cemeteries, shopping centers and auto sales district. In spite of its urban setting between the Cities of Daly City and South San Francisco, the Town maintains a "small town" feeling for its many visitors and resident population. Colma has an estimated population (2004) of 1280 residents of which about 50% are Caucasian, 25% are Asian, and 25% are other ethnicities. Mean household size is about 2.7 persons and mean household income is about $48,000. The price of an average home is $280,000. Recreational amenities in Town include the privately-owned Cypress Golf Course, a full-length 9-hole course, and a new public recreation center with meeting space, basketball court, bocce ball court and children's play area.

Local government in Colma is easily accessible for residents and local businesses. A monthly newsletter is distributed from the Town Hall with timely information about the Town Council agenda, upcoming community events and special interest articles about local history.

Colma is perhaps best known for its 17 cemeteries which comprise approximately 73% of the town's land area. The Town incorporated in 1924 primarily to protect this land use. Colma's cemeteries represent numerous religious beliefs and nationalities, and include structures and districts which are historically significant on local, state and national levels.

Many famous individuals instrumental in the shaping of early California are buried in Colma's cemeteries.

Colma encompasses a total of 1.98 square miles and is within easy access to many Bay Area cities. The Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) has a station just outside the Town limits within walking distance to the Town's primary residential neighborhood and shopping areas. San Mateo County Transit (SamTrans) bus routes stop at the BART station and travel along the El Camino Real through the Town. Riders can easily travel from downtown San Francisco and other bay area cities to destinations in Colma. The BART extension is completed between Colma and the San Francisco International Airport.

Colma is fortunate to be a financially sound municipality due to its outstanding retailers, car dealerships and a cardroom which provide sales and special tax revenue. The Town has approximately 1,700,000 square feet of retail space. This includes two successful shopping centers, the Serra Center and the 280 Metro Mall. The retailers draw from a regional market, and the major tenants are among the most successful in their respective chains. Eight auto dealerships offer more than 20 makes of new and used automobiles. Auxiliary repair services and car rental franchises are located within the Town to support auto sales businesses. Smaller retail and service businesses and offices located along El Camino Real, Mission Road and Mission Street augment the regional retail uses. The Colma cardroom, Lucky Chances, currently operates with 43 tables providing a wide range of poker and Asian games in a country club environment.

The Town is able to provide excellent municipal services including Police, Fire, Planning, Engineering, Building and General Administration. An ambitious Capital Improvement Program continues to allow Colma to upgrade and beautify residential and commercial areas of the town, thereby improving both public safety and the local quality of life.