Los Altos, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Los Altos, California had a total population of 30,698, the 266th largest city in California, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 152% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
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.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in California.
- 88.1% 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.
Los Altos Quick Facts
How Los Altos 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 | 30,736 | 30,698 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Los Altos 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+)
Los Altos Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Clara County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 990,138 | $146,427 | 8.1% | $1,233,200 |
| Sunnyvale | 154,236 | $186,170 | 5.8% | $1,801,800 |
| Santa Clara | 130,256 | $178,958 | 8.4% | $1,582,600 |
| Mountain View | 83,732 | $189,917 | 6.0% | $1,927,000 |
| Milpitas | 78,578 | $178,798 | 5.9% | $1,251,700 |
| Palo Alto | 67,237 | $231,101 | 6.0% | $2,000,000+ |
| Gilroy | 59,004 | $133,107 | 6.7% | $1,027,400 |
| Cupertino | 58,566 | $234,707 | 4.1% | $2,000,000+ |
| Morgan Hill | 45,425 | $163,920 | 4.1% | $1,210,200 |
| Campbell | 42,781 | $145,268 | 5.6% | $1,617,000 |
Cities Similar to Los Altos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga | 30,319 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 81.1% | 3.3% |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | $2,000,000+ | 70.2% | 3.3% |
| Los Gatos | 32,786 | $217,554 | $2,000,000+ | 75.0% | 4.2% |
| Menlo Park | 32,727 | $210,025 | $2,000,000+ | 72.5% | 5.8% |
| Foster City | 32,792 | $199,143 | $1,838,200 | 73.8% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Los Altos is a mid-sized community located in California, within Santa Clara County. The total population is 30,698. It ranks as the 266th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Los Altos is 45.9 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 10.2% 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 Los Altos 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 3.2%. This is 73% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 27% 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. 81.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Los Altos is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 38.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (38.9% vs 15.3%).
Education
88.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Los Altos in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 138% 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 99.0%. Notably, 55.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Los Altos, 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 Los Altos, California?
Los Altos, California has a population of 30,698 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Los Altos, CA?
The median household income in Los Altos is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Los Altos, CA?
The poverty rate in Los Altos is 3.2%. This means approximately 974 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Los Altos, California?
Los Altos's population is 49.5% White, 0.1% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 38.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Los Altos, CA?
The median home value in Los Altos is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Los Altos, California?
88.1% of adults (25+) in Los Altos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 55.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.