Redwood City, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Redwood City, California had a total population of 82,447, the 106th largest city in California, with a median household income of $157,814, which is 59% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.4x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 70/100).
Redwood City Quick Facts
How Redwood City Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,784 | 82,447 | -3.9% |
| Median household income | $144,144 | $157,814 | +9.5% |
| Median home value¹ | $1,539,615 | $1,801,700 | +17.0% |
| Median gross rent | $2,898 | $2,968 | No clear change (+2.4%) |
How Redwood City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 36.7%
- Black: 2.9%
- Hispanic: 35.6%
- Asian: 18.0%
- Other: 0.9%
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 12.9%
- HS Diploma: 14.5%
- Some College: 12.9%
- Associate's: 5.4%
- Bachelor's: 27.5%
- Graduate+: 27.0%
Redwood City 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 |
| 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+ |
| East Palo Alto | 29,069 | $113,493 | 10.3% | $1,102,600 |
Cities Similar to Redwood City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Beach | 83,845 | $156,867 | $2,000,000+ | 69.6% | 6.6% |
| Livermore | 85,522 | $160,775 | $1,105,600 | 52.3% | 4.9% |
| Folsom | 83,916 | $139,804 | $755,200 | 54.9% | 5.3% |
| Mountain View (Santa Clara County) | 83,732 | $189,917 | $1,927,000 | 75.0% | 6.0% |
| Milpitas | 78,578 | $178,798 | $1,251,700 | 58.2% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Redwood City is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 82,447. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Redwood City is 37.5 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Redwood City is $157,814. This is 59% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 95% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.3%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,801,700. Housing costs are 145% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Redwood City is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 35.6%.
Education
54.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 87.1%. Notably, 27.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Redwood City, 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 Redwood City, California?
Redwood City, California has a population of 82,447 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Redwood City, CA?
The median household income in Redwood City is $157,814, which is 95% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Redwood City, CA?
The poverty rate in Redwood City is 6.3%. This means approximately 5,129 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Redwood City, California?
Redwood City's population is 36.7% White, 2.9% Black, 35.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 18.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Redwood City, CA?
The median home value in Redwood City is $1,801,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.4x.
How educated is Redwood City, California?
54.4% of adults (25+) in Redwood City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.