Palo Alto, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palo Alto, California had a total population of 67,237, the 137th largest city in California, with a median household income of $231,101, which is 133% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 133% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 82.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.7x the median household income.
Palo Alto Quick Facts
How 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 | 67,231 | 67,237 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $220,408 | $231,101 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How 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+)
Palo Alto 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 |
| 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 |
| Los Gatos | 32,786 | $217,554 | 4.2% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Palo Alto
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 70,803 | $214,385 | $1,317,100 | 69.8% | 4.5% |
| Cupertino | 58,566 | $234,707 | $2,000,000+ | 82.3% | 4.1% |
| Yorba Linda | 67,170 | $157,582 | $1,147,100 | 56.2% | 5.8% |
| Pleasanton | 76,960 | $190,124 | $1,537,100 | 69.8% | 5.3% |
| Eastvale | 70,633 | $160,069 | $831,900 | 43.4% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
Palo Alto is a mid-sized community located in California, within Santa Clara County. The total population is 67,237. It ranks as the 137th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palo Alto is 43.6 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 11.0% 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 Palo Alto is $231,101. This is 133% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 186% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 41% 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 8.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palo Alto is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 38.1%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (38.1% vs 15.3%).
Education
82.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Palo Alto in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 122% 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 96.8%. Notably, 55.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Palo Alto, California?
Palo Alto, California has a population of 67,237 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palo Alto, CA?
The median household income in Palo Alto is $231,101, which is 186% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palo Alto, CA?
The poverty rate in Palo Alto is 6.0%. This means approximately 4,003 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palo Alto, California?
Palo Alto's population is 45.0% White, 1.8% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 38.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palo Alto, CA?
The median home value in Palo Alto is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.7x.
How educated is Palo Alto, California?
82.3% of adults (25+) in Palo Alto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 55.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.