Stanford, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stanford, California had a total population of 18,662, the 367th largest community in California, with a median household income of $75,208, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 92.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 26.6x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Stanford Quick Facts
How Stanford 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 | 17,958 | 18,662 | +3.9% |
| Median household income | $70,651 | $75,208 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Stanford 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+)
Stanford 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Stanford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phelan | 18,496 | $79,914 | $386,800 | 12.4% | 12.7% |
| South El Monte | 19,287 | $72,990 | $601,000 | 10.5% | 20.9% |
| Valle Vista | 18,602 | $66,825 | $336,200 | 15.5% | 16.7% |
| Olivehurst | 18,444 | $83,214 | $384,500 | 13.2% | 10.6% |
| Chowchilla | 19,020 | $66,514 | $364,000 | 15.6% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Stanford is a small city located in California, within Santa Clara County. The total population is 18,662. It ranks as the 367th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stanford is 22.0 years. This is 42% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 5.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stanford is $75,208. This is 24% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 23% higher 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 26.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 26.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 52% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Stanford is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 28.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (15.6%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (28.3% vs 15.3%).
Education
92.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Stanford in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 149% 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 98.2%. Notably, 57.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stanford, 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 Stanford, California?
Stanford, California has a population of 18,662 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stanford, CA?
The median household income in Stanford is $75,208, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stanford, CA?
The poverty rate in Stanford is 15.9%. This means approximately 1,037 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stanford, California?
Stanford's population is 43.8% White, 3.9% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 28.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stanford, CA?
The median home value in Stanford is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 26.6x.
How educated is Stanford, California?
92.3% of adults (25+) in Stanford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 57.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.