Castro Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Castro Valley, California had a total population of 65,001, the 141st largest community in California, with a median household income of $142,779, which is 44% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.7x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 73/100).
Castro Valley Quick Facts
How Castro Valley 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 | 65,389 | 65,001 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $138,069 | $142,779 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $1,058,200 | $1,104,600 | +4.4% |
How Castro Valley 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Castro Valley Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Alameda County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 439,418 | $101,600 | 13.4% | $929,900 |
| Fremont | 228,295 | $181,506 | 5.2% | $1,403,800 |
| Hayward | 158,801 | $113,318 | 9.6% | $854,400 |
| Berkeley | 120,257 | $108,092 | 17.3% | $1,413,900 |
| San Leandro | 87,826 | $101,420 | 8.3% | $844,200 |
| Livermore | 85,522 | $160,775 | 4.9% | $1,105,600 |
| Alameda | 77,238 | $137,697 | 7.2% | $1,235,700 |
| Pleasanton | 76,960 | $190,124 | 5.3% | $1,537,100 |
| Dublin | 70,803 | $214,385 | 4.5% | $1,317,100 |
| Union City | 67,464 | $133,715 | 7.2% | $1,104,900 |
Cities Similar to Castro Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | $836,600 | 39.3% | 8.3% |
| Laguna Niguel | 64,139 | $140,452 | $1,190,900 | 59.8% | 6.4% |
| South San Francisco | 64,305 | $136,578 | $1,188,800 | 40.8% | 6.7% |
| San Clemente | 63,273 | $140,062 | $1,398,400 | 53.8% | 5.8% |
| Union City | 67,464 | $133,715 | $1,104,900 | 45.1% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
Castro Valley is a mid-sized community located in California, within Alameda County. The total population is 65,001. It ranks as the 141st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Castro Valley is 42.9 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Castro Valley is $142,779. This is 44% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 77% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,104,600. Housing costs are 50% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 72.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Castro Valley is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 32.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.7% vs 5.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population (19.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (32.9% vs 15.3%).
Education
44.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 91.7%. Notably, 17.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Castro Valley, 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 Castro Valley, California?
Castro Valley, California has a population of 65,001 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Castro Valley, CA?
The median household income in Castro Valley is $142,779, which is 77% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Castro Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Castro Valley is 6.7%. This means approximately 4,321 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Castro Valley, California?
Castro Valley's population is 33.5% White, 8.7% Black, 19.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 32.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Castro Valley, CA?
The median home value in Castro Valley is $1,104,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.7x.
How educated is Castro Valley, California?
44.5% of adults (25+) in Castro Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.