Sunnyvale, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sunnyvale, California had a total population of 154,236, the 37th largest city in California, with a median household income of $186,170, which is 88% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 88% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 69.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.7x the median household income.
Sunnyvale Quick Facts
How Sunnyvale 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 | 153,455 | 154,236 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $186,170 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $1,816,600 | $1,801,800 | -0.8% |
How Sunnyvale 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+)
Sunnyvale 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 |
| 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 Sunnyvale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | 130,256 | $178,958 | $1,582,600 | 65.9% | 8.4% |
| Roseville | 155,955 | $119,288 | $661,400 | 44.3% | 5.9% |
| Hayward | 158,801 | $113,318 | $854,400 | 34.0% | 9.6% |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | $700,700 | 32.4% | 8.7% |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | $1,074,700 | 54.0% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Sunnyvale is a major urban center located in California, within Santa Clara County. The total population is 154,236. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sunnyvale is 35.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sunnyvale is $186,170. This is 88% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 131% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,801,800. Housing costs are 145% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 43.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sunnyvale is Asian, making up 49.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.5%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (17.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (49.4% vs 15.3%).
Education
69.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Sunnyvale in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 87% 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 94.4%. Notably, 39.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, California?
Sunnyvale, California has a population of 154,236 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sunnyvale, CA?
The median household income in Sunnyvale is $186,170, which is 131% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sunnyvale, CA?
The poverty rate in Sunnyvale is 5.8%. This means approximately 8,927 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sunnyvale, California?
Sunnyvale's population is 26.5% White, 1.6% Black, 17.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 49.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sunnyvale, CA?
The median home value in Sunnyvale is $1,801,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.7x.
How educated is Sunnyvale, California?
69.3% of adults (25+) in Sunnyvale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 39.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.