Santa Clara, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Santa Clara, California had a total population of 130,256, the 46th largest city in California, with a median household income of $178,958, which is 81% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 81% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 65.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.8x the median household income.
Santa Clara Quick Facts
How Santa Clara 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 | 129,239 | 130,256 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $178,958 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $1,527,900 | $1,582,600 | +3.6% |
How Santa Clara 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+)
Santa Clara 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 |
| 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 Santa Clara
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thousand Oaks | 125,205 | $135,603 | $991,600 | 51.4% | 8.9% |
| Sunnyvale | 154,236 | $186,170 | $1,801,800 | 69.3% | 5.8% |
| Simi Valley | 125,634 | $122,081 | $823,800 | 39.1% | 6.4% |
| Carlsbad | 114,373 | $142,748 | $1,257,000 | 62.1% | 6.9% |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | $945,800 | 39.7% | 9.5% |
Population Overview
Santa Clara is a major urban center located in California, within Santa Clara County. The total population is 130,256. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santa Clara is 34.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santa Clara is $178,958. This is 81% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 122% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,582,600. Housing costs are 115% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 40.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Clara is Asian, making up 50.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.3%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (15.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (50.2% vs 15.3%).
Education
65.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Santa Clara in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 78% 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 93.6%. Notably, 35.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, California?
Santa Clara, California has a population of 130,256 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santa Clara, CA?
The median household income in Santa Clara is $178,958, which is 122% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Santa Clara, CA?
The poverty rate in Santa Clara is 8.4%. This means approximately 10,625 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santa Clara, California?
Santa Clara's population is 27.3% White, 1.7% Black, 15.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 50.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santa Clara, CA?
The median home value in Santa Clara is $1,582,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Santa Clara, California?
65.9% of adults (25+) in Santa Clara hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.