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CITY · 2020 ACS

Los Altos

California · 31,625 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 $240,094. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $2,000,001. With a median age of 46.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 205% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
85% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
31,625
+14%since 2000
from 27,693 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,836 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 4,234 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.5
+5%since 2000
from 44.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
26K27K29K31K32K1990201020202024Los Altos
202431K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$240,094
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $126,740 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$117,255
+76%since 2000
from $66,776 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
85.8%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 76.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.7%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food10.1%
US avg: 2%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Information4.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade1.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$2,000,001
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $973,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$3,375
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,727 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.1%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
20.9% rent
Afford Score
8.3
+8%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic52.6%(16,630)
Black0.6%(177)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(1,538)
Asian35.2%(11,145)
Other5.4%(1,714)
Diversity Score72.9%(23,044)
Diversity Score
73
+80%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
84.6%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 71.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
98.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 97.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
52.7%
+16.9 ptssince 2000
from 35.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.9 min
+75%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.6%
−8.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.0%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 58.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
82.7%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 87.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
31.0%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.0%
−96.5 ptssince 2013
from 97.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+4%
Home value$2,000,001same
Population8,419−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LOS ALTOS VS
Mountain View
Income$189,917−21%
Home value$1,927,000−4%
Population85,438+176%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LOS ALTOS VS
Palo Alto
Income$231,101−4%
Home value$2,000,001same
Population67,609+118%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LOS ALTOS VS
Sunnyvale
Income$186,170−22%
Home value$1,801,800−10%
Population156,577+406%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Los Altos, California?

Los Altos, California has about 31,625 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Los Altos, California earns about $240,094 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 $2,000,001, and the typical rent is about $3,375 a month.

How educated are people in Los Altos, California?

About 84.6% 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 2.8% 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 5,322 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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

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