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CITY

East Palo Alto

California · 28,872 residents (2025 est.) · 2.528 sq mi
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Part of the San Francisco metro area
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Notable rankings
#84Most densely populatedof 4,89111,421#151Most foreign-born residentsof 6,82644.1%#199Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,102,600
The short version

East Palo Alto is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $113,493. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $1,102,600. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 104%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,069
−1%since 2000
from 29,506 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
11,499 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 11,672 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.3
+41%since 2000
from 25.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:28,872 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
23K25K28K31K34K1990201020202024East Palo Alto
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$113,493
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,006 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,301
+207%since 2000
from $13,774 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
67.6%
+39.2 ptssince 2009
from 28.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.3%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 16.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.437
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.437 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade6.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,102,600
+104%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $296,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,244
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $854 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
49.1%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 43.5% in 2000
50.9% rent
Vacancy rate
9.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
30.4%
−27.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.7
+47%since 2000
from 6.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
84
RELATED:See current rent listings in East Palo Alto on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic6.5%(1,930)
Black22.5%(6,641)
Hispanic / Latino58.8%(17,346)
Asian2.1%(621)
Other0%
Diversity Score63%(18,600)
2024
White, non-Hispanic12.6%(3,667)
Black9.4%(2,740)
Hispanic / Latino58.8%(17,093)
Asian7%(2,030)
Other12.2%(3,539)
Diversity Score76.2%(22,156)
Diversity Score
76
+21%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.8%
+16.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
75.8%
+27.6 ptssince 2000
from 48.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.9%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.7 min
+49%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
64.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.5%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.1%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2011
from 68.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.2%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Foreign born
44.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 40.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.8%
−50.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2012
from 7.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.1%
−67.9 ptssince 2013
from 76.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.6%
+19.7 ptssince 2017
from 72.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
34.1%
+7.4 ptssince 2016
from 26.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
50.0%
−8.9 ptssince 2016
from 58.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare East Palo Alto to nearby cities

EAST PALO ALTO VS
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EAST PALO ALTO VS
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EAST PALO ALTO VS
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Home value$1,276,900+16%
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EAST PALO ALTO VS
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Home value$2,000,001+81%
Population67,609+134%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in East Palo Alto, California?

East Palo Alto, California has about 29,069 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in East Palo Alto, California?

The typical household in East Palo Alto, California earns about $113,493 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is East Palo Alto, California expensive?

In East Palo Alto, California, the median home is worth about $1,102,600, and the typical rent is about $2,244 a month.

How educated are people in East Palo Alto, California?

About 26.8% of adults age 25 and over in East Palo Alto, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in East Palo Alto, California?

About 10.3% of people in East Palo Alto, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has East Palo Alto, California grown since 1990?

Yes, East Palo Alto, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,618 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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