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CITY

Portola Valley

California · 4,292 residents (2025 est.) · 9.083 sq mi
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The short version

Portola Valley is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $250,001. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 87% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $2,000,001. With a median age of 60.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 1% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 60.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
87% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,305
−4%since 2000
from 4,462 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
474 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 491 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
60.6
+28%since 2000
from 47.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,292 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Portola Valley
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$250,001
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $158,217 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$191,133
+92%since 2000
from $99,621 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
87.9%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.504
−10%since 2010
from 0.558 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services20.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration15.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food13.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Information3.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade2.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$2,000,001
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,000,001 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$3,501
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $2,001 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.8%
−6.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
21.2% rent
Vacancy rate
6.7%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 31.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
75.5%
+25.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.0
+27%since 2000
from 6.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
51
RELATED:See current rent listings in Portola Valley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.8%(4,053)
Black0.4%(18)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(149)
Asian4%(178)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.5%(825)
2024
White, non-Hispanic74.4%(3,203)
Black0.2%(8)
Hispanic / Latino10%(431)
Asian9.8%(422)
Other5.6%(241)
Diversity Score53%(2,280)
Diversity Score
53
+186%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
86.9%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 98.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
48.6%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 41.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.3 min
+13%since 2000
from 17.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
47.4%
−32.4 ptssince 2009
from 79.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
49.1%
+37.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−4.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
42.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 45.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
3.9%
−18.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
87.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 88.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
14.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−40.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.2%
+1.5 ptssince 2012
from 9.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.0%
−93.7 ptssince 2013
from 94.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2017
from 92.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
82.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2016
from 84.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
−1.5 ptssince 2016
from 2.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Portola Valley to nearby cities

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Income$250,001same
Home value$2,000,001same
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PORTOLA VALLEY VS
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PORTOLA VALLEY VS
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PORTOLA VALLEY VS
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Income$250,001same
Home value$2,000,001same
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Portola Valley, California?

Portola Valley, California has about 4,305 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Portola Valley, California?

The typical household in Portola Valley, California earns about $250,001 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Portola Valley, California expensive?

In Portola Valley, California, the median home is worth about $2,000,001, and the typical rent is about $3,501 a month.

How educated are people in Portola Valley, California?

About 86.9% of adults age 25 and over in Portola Valley, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Portola Valley, California?

About 6.2% of people in Portola Valley, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Portola Valley, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Portola Valley, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 111 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →