East Palo Alto city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

East Palo Alto city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 29,143. It ranks as the 276th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in East Palo Alto city is 34.2 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in East Palo Alto city is $104,832. This is 9% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% higher. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,124,000. Housing costs are 62% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in East Palo Alto city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 62.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 12.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.4%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (11.9% vs 5.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (62.1% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 76.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for East Palo Alto city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.