Menlo Park, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Menlo Park, California had a total population of 32,727, the 251st largest city in California, with a median household income of $210,025, which is 112% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 112% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 72.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.5x the median household income.
Menlo Park Quick Facts
How Menlo Park 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 | 32,775 | 32,727 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $206,588 | $210,025 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Menlo Park 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+)
Menlo Park 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 |
| Burlingame | 30,525 | $174,000 | 7.1% | $2,000,000+ |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | 3.3% | $2,000,000+ |
| East Palo Alto | 29,069 | $113,493 | 10.3% | $1,102,600 |
Cities Similar to Menlo Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Gatos | 32,786 | $217,554 | $2,000,000+ | 75.0% | 4.2% |
| Foster City | 32,792 | $199,143 | $1,838,200 | 73.8% | 4.1% |
| Manhattan Beach | 34,210 | $204,306 | $2,000,000+ | 78.9% | 4.5% |
| Los Altos | 30,698 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 88.1% | 3.2% |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | $2,000,000+ | 70.2% | 3.3% |
Population Overview
Menlo Park is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 32,727. It ranks as the 251st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Menlo Park is 39.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Menlo Park is $210,025. This is 112% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 160% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 28% 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 9.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 54.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Menlo Park is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (51.6% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
72.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Menlo Park in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 96% 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 92.5%. Notably, 45.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Menlo Park, 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 Menlo Park, California?
Menlo Park, California has a population of 32,727 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Menlo Park, CA?
The median household income in Menlo Park is $210,025, which is 160% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Menlo Park, CA?
The poverty rate in Menlo Park is 5.8%. This means approximately 1,864 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Menlo Park, California?
Menlo Park's population is 51.6% White, 2.1% Black, 20.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 18.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Menlo Park, CA?
The median home value in Menlo Park is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.5x.
How educated is Menlo Park, California?
72.5% of adults (25+) in Menlo Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 45.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.