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CITY · 2010 ACS

Los Altos

California · 28,976 residents · 6.54 sq mi
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The short version

Los Altos is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $149,964. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $1,000,001. With a median age of 46.2, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 146% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 46.2
US median: 37.2
More educated
78% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
More affordable
home values down 19%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
28,976
+5%since 2000
from 27,693 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,431 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 4,234 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
46.2
+5%since 2000
from 44.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
26K27K29K31K32K1990201020202024Los Altos
202431K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$149,964
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $126,740 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$75,294
+13%since 2000
from $66,776 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
75.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
2.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.464
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade24.3%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 7%
Arts, entertainment, food6.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Information5.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade2%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,000,001
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $973,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,001
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,727 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
57.5%
−28.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
16.2% rent
Vacancy rate
3.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
38.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 35.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.7
−13%since 2000
from 7.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Los Altos on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.2%(21,656)
Black0.5%(127)
Hispanic / Latino3%(822)
Asian15.4%(4,252)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.5%(11,208)
2010
White, non-Hispanic67.8%(19,642)
Black0.5%(137)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(1,132)
Asian23.5%(6,795)
Other5.1%(1,488)
Diversity Score61.1%(17,713)
Diversity Score
61
+51%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
78.2%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 71.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
98.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 97.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
42.3%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 35.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+55%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
3.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
12.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
1.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
77.2%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 87.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
52.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
23.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.9%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Los Altos

Saratoga
Pop 30,418
Los Gatos
Pop 32,576
Parkland
Pop 39,186
Pinecrest
Pop 18,635
Places similar to Los Altos
Head to head

Compare Los Altos to nearby cities

LOS ALTOS VS
Los Altos Hills
Income$250,001+67%
Home value$2,000,001+100%
Population8,419−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LOS ALTOS VS
Mountain View
Income$189,917+27%
Home value$1,927,000+93%
Population85,438+176%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LOS ALTOS VS
Palo Alto
Income$231,101+54%
Home value$2,000,001+100%
Population67,609+118%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LOS ALTOS VS
Sunnyvale
Income$186,170+24%
Home value$1,801,800+80%
Population156,577+406%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Los Altos, California?

Los Altos, California has about 28,976 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Los Altos, California?

The typical household in Los Altos, California earns about $149,964 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Los Altos, California expensive?

In Los Altos, California, the median home is worth about $1,000,001, and the typical rent is about $2,001 a month.

How educated are people in Los Altos, California?

About 78.2% of adults age 25 and over in Los Altos, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Los Altos, California?

About 2.2% of people in Los Altos, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Los Altos, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Los Altos, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,673 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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

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