Portola Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portola Valley, California had a total population of 4,305, the 692nd largest town in California, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 152% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
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.
- 86.9% 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.
Portola Valley Quick Facts
How Portola Valley 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 | 4,329 | 4,305 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Portola Valley 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portola Valley 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 Portola Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake Hills | 4,235 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 75.0% | 4.6% |
| San Miguel (Contra Costa County) | 3,967 | $250,000+ | $1,649,100 | 70.0% | 1.8% |
| West Menlo Park | 3,634 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 86.5% | 3.0% |
| Woodside | 5,126 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 76.2% | 4.5% |
| Kensington | 5,179 | $237,130 | $1,539,000 | 83.8% | 3.6% |
Population Overview
Portola Valley is a small community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 4,305. It ranks as the 692nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portola Valley is 60.6 years. This is 60% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 23.2% 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 Portola Valley 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 6.2%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 52% 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. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portola Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (74.4% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
86.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Portola Valley in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 134% 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 99.5%. Notably, 48.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portola Valley, 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 Portola Valley, California?
Portola Valley, California has a population of 4,305 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portola Valley, CA?
The median household income in Portola Valley is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portola Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Portola Valley is 6.2%. This means approximately 262 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portola Valley, California?
Portola Valley's population is 74.4% White, 0.2% Black, 10.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portola Valley, CA?
The median home value in Portola Valley is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Portola Valley, California?
86.9% of adults (25+) in Portola Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 48.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.