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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Palo Alto

California · 58,598 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 $90,377. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $776,000. Poverty is rare here, at 4.8% of residents. Households here earn about 90% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 40.2
US median: 35.2
More educated
74% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

58,598
+5%since 1990
from 55,900 in 1990
1990 – 2025
2,436 / sq mi
+5%since 1990
from 2,324 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
40.2
+5%since 1990
from 38.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
55K58K62K66K70K1990201020202024Palo Alto
202467K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$90,377
+24%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $55,333 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$56,257
+73%since 1990
from $32,489 in 1990
US average: $21,522
4.8%
+0.2 ptssince 1990
from 4.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$776,000
+29%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $456,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$1,349
+20%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $851 in 1990
US average: $602
57.2%
+0.4 ptssince 1990
from 56.7% in 1990
42.8% rent
8.6
+4%since 1990
from 8.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palo Alto on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic85.1%(47,545)
Black3%(1,658)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(2,906)
Asian10.5%(5,846)
Diversity Score41.6%(23,268)
2000
White, non-Hispanic72.8%(42,682)
Black2%(1,166)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(2,722)
Asian17.2%(10,056)
Diversity Score49.7%(29,122)
50
+19%since 1990
from 42 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

74.4%
+9.2 ptssince 1990
from 65.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
96.2%
+1.5 ptssince 1990
from 94.7% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
43.0%
+9.2 ptssince 1990
from 33.8% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

13.5 min
−35%since 1990
from 20.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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 58,598 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Palo Alto, California earns about $90,377 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 $776,000, and the typical rent is about $1,349 a month.

How educated are people in Palo Alto, California?

About 74.4% 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 4.8% of people in Palo Alto, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palo Alto, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Palo Alto, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,698 residents, a change of about 5 percent over that period.

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

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