Atherton, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atherton, California had a total population of 6,993, the 581st largest town in California, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 152% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 152% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 83.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.0x the median household income.
Atherton Quick Facts
How Atherton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,021 | 6,993 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Atherton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atherton Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Mateo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo | 103,105 | $153,504 | 8.2% | $1,618,700 |
| Daly City | 101,964 | $123,547 | 7.7% | $1,115,000 |
| Redwood City | 82,447 | $157,814 | 6.3% | $1,801,700 |
| South San Francisco | 64,305 | $136,578 | 6.7% | $1,188,800 |
| San Bruno | 42,307 | $141,272 | 6.0% | $1,207,500 |
| Pacifica | 37,261 | $160,523 | 5.8% | $1,249,800 |
| Foster City | 32,792 | $199,143 | 4.1% | $1,838,200 |
| Menlo Park | 32,727 | $210,025 | 5.8% | $2,000,000+ |
| Burlingame | 30,525 | $174,000 | 7.1% | $2,000,000+ |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | 3.3% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Atherton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentfield | 6,900 | $249,896 | $2,000,000+ | 80.8% | 3.9% |
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| East Foothills | 7,139 | $199,375 | $1,346,100 | 54.0% | 5.5% |
| Sausalito | 7,141 | $182,357 | $1,894,600 | 76.5% | 8.0% |
| Los Altos Hills | 8,377 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 84.9% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Atherton is a small city located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 6,993. It ranks as the 581st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atherton is 49.1 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 13.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atherton is $250,000+. This is 152% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 210% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 56% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 172% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 87.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 57% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Atherton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 18.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (62.0% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (14.2%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
83.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Atherton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.6%. Notably, 52.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atherton, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atherton, California?
Atherton, California has a population of 6,993 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atherton, CA?
The median household income in Atherton is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atherton, CA?
The poverty rate in Atherton is 5.3%. This means approximately 340 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atherton, California?
Atherton's population is 62.0% White, 0.9% Black, 14.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 18.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atherton, CA?
The median home value in Atherton is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Atherton, California?
83.1% of adults (25+) in Atherton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 52.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.