East Palo Alto, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Palo Alto, California had a total population of 29,069, the 276th largest city in California, with a median household income of $113,493, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.7x the median household income.
East Palo Alto Quick Facts
How East Palo Alto 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 | 29,143 | 29,069 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $104,832 | $113,493 | +8.3% |
| Median home value | $1,124,000 | $1,102,600 | -1.9% |
How East Palo Alto 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+)
East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Lorenzo | 29,171 | $112,660 | $847,100 | 25.3% | 4.5% |
| Monterey | 29,613 | $102,846 | $1,076,300 | 52.9% | 9.8% |
| Temescal Valley | 30,069 | $122,051 | $710,400 | 35.8% | 4.5% |
| Orcutt | 31,454 | $111,416 | $624,500 | 33.2% | 8.0% |
| La Verne | 30,600 | $103,761 | $817,000 | 42.1% | 8.5% |
Population Overview
East Palo Alto is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 29,069. It ranks as the 276th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Palo Alto is 36.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Palo Alto is $113,493. This is 14% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 41% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,102,600. Housing costs are 50% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Palo Alto is Hispanic or Latino, making up 58.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 12.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.6%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.4% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
26.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower 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 75.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Palo Alto, 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 East Palo Alto, California?
East Palo Alto, California has a population of 29,069 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Palo Alto, CA?
The median household income in East Palo Alto is $113,493, which is 41% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Palo Alto, CA?
The poverty rate in East Palo Alto is 10.3%. This means approximately 2,961 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Palo Alto, California?
East Palo Alto's population is 12.6% White, 9.4% Black, 58.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Palo Alto, CA?
The median home value in East Palo Alto is $1,102,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.7x.
How educated is East Palo Alto, California?
26.9% of adults (25+) in East Palo Alto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.