Woodside, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Woodside, California had a total population of 5,126, the 653rd largest town in California, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 152% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 152% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in California.
- 76.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.0x the median household income.
Woodside Quick Facts
How Woodside 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 | 5,542 | 5,126 | -7.5% |
| Median household income | $307,678 | $250,000+ | -18.7% |
| Median home value¹ | $2,461,417 | $2,000,000+ | -18.7% |
| Median gross rent | $2,747 | $3,501 | +27.5% |
How Woodside 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: 81.3%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 6.4%
- Asian: 6.5%
- Other: 0.2%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 1.1%
- HS Diploma: 10.2%
- Some College: 7.2%
- Associate's: 5.3%
- Bachelor's: 34.0%
- Graduate+: 42.2%
Woodside 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 |
| Redwood City | 82,447 | $157,814 | 6.3% | $1,801,700 |
| 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+ |
Cities Similar to Woodside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | 5,179 | $237,130 | $1,539,000 | 83.8% | 3.6% |
| El Granada | 5,232 | $213,347 | $1,424,700 | 61.0% | 5.4% |
| Camino Tassajara | 5,831 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 73.9% | 6.5% |
| Las Flores (Orange County) | 5,513 | $211,782 | $1,119,100 | 58.4% | 4.8% |
| Portola Valley | 4,305 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 86.9% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Woodside is a small city located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 5,126. It ranks as the 653rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Woodside is 46.4 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Woodside is $250,000+. This is 152% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 210% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 62% lower 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 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 87.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 57% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Woodside is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 6.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.3% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
76.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Woodside in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 105% 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 99.0%. Notably, 42.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Woodside, 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 Woodside, California?
Woodside, California has a population of 5,126 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Woodside, CA?
The median household income in Woodside is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Woodside, CA?
The poverty rate in Woodside is 4.5%. This means approximately 232 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Woodside, California?
Woodside's population is 81.3% White, 0.0% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Woodside, CA?
The median home value in Woodside is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Woodside, California?
76.2% of adults (25+) in Woodside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 42.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.