San Jose, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Jose, California had a total population of 990,138, the 3rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $146,427, which is 48% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- San Jose is the 3rd largest city in California with a population of 990,138.
- Household income is 48% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.4x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 70/100).
San Jose Quick Facts
How San Jose 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 | 990,054 | 990,138 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $146,427 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $1,187,800 | $1,233,200 | +3.8% |
How San Jose 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
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+)
San Jose Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Clara County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Los Gatos | 32,786 | $217,554 | 4.2% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to San Jose
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 830,235 | $140,970 | $1,394,500 | 60.3% | 11.2% |
| San Diego | 1,389,526 | $108,077 | $906,700 | 51.0% | 11.0% |
| Sacramento | 528,706 | $87,321 | $506,300 | 37.1% | 13.9% |
| Fresno | 545,970 | $70,991 | $374,800 | 25.5% | 20.1% |
| Oakland | 439,418 | $101,600 | $929,900 | 48.8% | 13.4% |
Population Overview
San Jose is a major urban center located in California, within Santa Clara County. The total population is 990,138. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Jose is 38.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Jose is $146,427. This is 48% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 81% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,233,200. Housing costs are 68% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
San Jose is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (39.2% vs 15.3%).
Education
47.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 85.4%. Notably, 20.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Jose, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of San Jose, California?
San Jose, California has a population of 990,138 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Jose, CA?
The median household income in San Jose is $146,427, which is 81% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Jose, CA?
The poverty rate in San Jose is 8.1%. This means approximately 79,522 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Jose, California?
San Jose's population is 22.3% White, 2.7% Black, 30.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 39.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Jose, CA?
The median home value in San Jose is $1,233,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.4x.
How educated is San Jose, California?
47.3% of adults (25+) in San Jose hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.