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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Palo Alto

California · 55,900 residents · 24.051 sq mi
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The short version

Palo Alto is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $55,333. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $456,800. With a median age of 38.4, the population is older than the US median of 33.0. Households here earn about 55% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 38.4
US median: 33.0
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 22%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

55,900
−5%vs 2000
vs 58,598 in 2000
1990 – 2025
2,324 / sq mi
−5%vs 2000
vs 2,436 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
38.4
−4%vs 2000
vs 40.2 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
55K58K62K66K70K1990201020202024Palo Alto
202467K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$55,333
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $90,377 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$32,489
−42%vs 2000
vs $56,257 in 2000
US average: $14,340
4.6%
−0.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 4.8% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$456,800
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $776,000 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$851
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $1,349 in 2000
US average: $450
56.7%
−0.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 57.2% in 2000
43.3% rent
8.3
−4%vs 2000
vs 8.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palo Alto on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.8%(42,682)
Black2%(1,166)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(2,722)
Asian17.2%(10,056)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.7%(29,122)
1990
White, non-Hispanic85.1%(47,545)
Black3%(1,658)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(2,906)
Asian10.5%(5,846)
Other1.5%(851)
Diversity Score41.6%(23,268)
42
−16%vs 2000
vs 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

65.2%
−9.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 74.4% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
94.7%
−1.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 96.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
33.8%
−9.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 43.0% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

20.8 min
+54%vs 2000
vs 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Palo Alto, California?

Palo Alto, California has about 55,900 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Palo Alto, California earns about $55,333 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palo Alto, California expensive?

In Palo Alto, California, the median home is worth about $456,800, and the typical rent is about $851 a month.

How educated are people in Palo Alto, California?

About 65.2% of adults age 25 and over in Palo Alto, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palo Alto, California?

About 4.6% of people in Palo Alto, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

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