COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Santa Clara County

California · 1,497,577 residents · 1,291.084 sq mi

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Santa Clara County is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $48,115. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $287,700. Households here earn about 34% more than the California median.

At a glance

Wealthier

above the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 32.0

US median: 33.0

More educated

33% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 10%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

1,497,577

−11%vs 2000

vs 1,682,585 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

1,160 / sq mi

−11%vs 2000

vs 1,303 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

32.0

−6%vs 2000

vs 34.0 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

20241.9M

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$48,115

−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $74,335 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$20,423

−38%vs 2000

vs $32,795 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

7.5%

Unchangedvs 2000

vs 7.5% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$287,700

−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $422,600 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$773

−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $1,185 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

59.1%

−0.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 59.8% in 2000

40.9% rent

Afford Score

6.0

+5%vs 2000

vs 5.7 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Clara County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic44.2%(744,282)

Black2.6%(44,475)

Hispanic / Latino24%(403,401)

Asian25.4%(426,771)

Other0%

Diversity Score82%(1,380,362)

1990

White, non-Hispanic69.1%(1,035,029)

Black3.7%(55,365)

Hispanic / Latino20.5%(307,113)

Asian17.5%(261,574)

Other9.7%(145,609)

Diversity Score76.7%(1,148,743)

Diversity Score

−6%vs 2000

vs 82 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

32.6%

−7.9 ptsvs 2000

vs 40.5% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

82.0%

−1.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 83.4% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

12.0%

−4.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 16.4% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

22.2 min

+26%vs 2000

vs 17.6 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Clara County

Head to head

Compare Santa Clara County to nearby counties

SANTA CLARA COUNTY VS

Santa Cruz County

Income$111,093+131%

Home value$1,027,500+257%

Population258,852−86%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SANTA CLARA COUNTY VS

Alameda County

Income$129,367+169%

Home value$1,090,100+279%

Population1,636,630−15%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SANTA CLARA COUNTY VS

San Mateo County

Income$158,855+230%

Home value$1,559,600+442%

Population743,568−61%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SANTA CLARA COUNTY VS

Stanislaus County

Income$81,468+69%

Home value$450,100+56%

Population557,719−71%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Clara County, California?

Santa Clara County, California has about 1,497,577 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Santa Clara County, California?

The typical household in Santa Clara County, California earns about $48,115 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Clara County, California expensive?

In Santa Clara County, California, the median home is worth about $287,700, and the typical rent is about $773 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Clara County, California?

About 32.6% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Clara County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Clara County, California?

About 7.5% of people in Santa Clara County, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →