Palo Alto

Welcome to Palo Alto

Located 35 miles south of San Francisco and 14 miles north of San Jose, Palo Alto is known as one of the most affluent cities in the United States. Its marriage of small town accessibility, downtown urban ambiance, top-ranking schools, and tech appeal make it a truly covetable Peninsula destination.

Located 35 miles south of San Francisco and 14 miles north of San Jose, Palo Alto is known as one of the most affluent cities in the United States. Home to world-renowned Stanford University, it is also considered one of the most highly educated (more than three quarters of residents hold an advanced degree). Perhaps more than any other Bay Area city, Palo Alto marries small town accessibility with urban ambiance and culture.

With the rise of the Silicon Valley startup scene, the Google campus in neighboring Mountain View, and Apple’s nearby Cupertino headquarters, Palo Alto is an increasingly attractive destination for tech commuters. The city is considered a leader in technology development in its own right, and is home to many high profile companies such as Tesla, Hewlett-Packard, and Skype.

Housing inventory in Palo Alto is notoriously sparse due to the city’s high rate of appreciation, which has more than doubled in the past six years alone. With a current population of nearly 67,000, Palo Alto is densely populated yet still retains the space, charm, and privacy characteristic of many Peninsula cities. Its bustling downtown area, roughly defined by Alma and Webster streets and Lytton and Forrest avenues, is a popular destination for Stanford undergrads. Downtown California Avenue is also home to many outdoor cafes, coffee shops, bookstores, specialty shops, and restaurants (including the Michelin-rated Baume restaurant located at the corner of Park Boulevard).

Palo Alto has a rich history that spans over 100 years. Its name hails from the landmark Redwood tree “El Palo Alto” (which translates from the Spanish “palo,” meaning stick or tree, and “alto” meaning “tall”), a twin-trunked, massive Redwood tree, which still grows on the east bank of the San Francisquito Creek near Menlo Park. Often referred to as the “land of tall trees,” it should come as no surprise that many areas of the city are heavily wooded with native redwoods (Standford University pays homage to this fact with their quirky “Tree” mascot).

Perhaps more than any other Bay Area city, Palo Alto marries small town accessibility with urban ambiance nd culture. Residents are able enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities thanks to the city’s lush natural setting. Palo Alto is replete with running paths, which are perfect for runners and walkers alike, as well as parks and beautiful hiking trails in the foothills and baylands. The Palo Alto Unified School District ranks among the best in the country, making this an ideal destination for families with school-aged children.

Overview for Palo Alto, CA

68,624 people live in Palo Alto, where the median age is 41.8 and the average individual income is $105,070. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

68,624

Total Population

41.8 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density
This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$105,070

Average individual Income

Around Palo Alto, CA

There's plenty to do around Palo Alto, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

12

Car-Dependent

Walking Score

69

Bikeable

Bike Score

24

Minimal Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Groovitude Dance, Light Soccer Camp, and Elite America Tennis.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Groovitude Dance page on Yelp Search 4000 Middlefield Rd on Google Maps	Active	2.42 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Light Soccer Camp page on Yelp	Active	1.88 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Elite America Tennis page on Yelp	Active	1.94 miles	21 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Palo Alto Run Club page on Yelp	Active	3.1 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Sky Fitness page on Yelp Search 2464 W El Camino Real on Google Maps	Active	1.9 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA page on Yelp Search 600 Colorado Ave on Google Maps	Active	2.62 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Janelle Chiropractic page on Yelp Search 415 Cambridge Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	2.18 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Makeup by Elizabeth Fox page on Yelp	Beauty	1.88 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Palo Alto, CA

Population Households Employment

Palo Alto has 26,007 households, with an average household size of 2.62. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Palo Alto do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 68,624 people call Palo Alto home. The population density is 2,853.26 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

68,624

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

41.8

Median Age

48.41 / 51.59%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

26,007

Total Households

2.62

Average Household Size

$105,070

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Palo Alto, CA

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Palo Alto. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Current Listings

Sold
$2,895,000

1819 Cordilleras RD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94062
- 3 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 2,650 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$2,665,000

918 Laurelwood DR, SAN MATEO, CA 94403
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,557 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$2,421,000

1533 Cedarwood DR, SAN MATEO, CA 94403
- 3 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,900 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$2,350,000

1891 Timberlane RD, SAN MATEO, CA 94402
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,740 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$1,700,000

1142 Hollyburne AVE, MENLO PARK, CA 94025
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,330 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$1,650,000

2301 Whitecliff WAY, SAN BRUNO, CA 94066
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,564 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$1,598,000

630 Redwood AVE, CORTE MADERA, CA 94925
- 5 Beds
- 3.5 Baths
- 2,369 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$1,575,000

217 Alta Loma AVE, DALY CITY, CA 94015
- 5 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,057 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$1,265,000

170 Los Robles DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,100 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$1,250,000

395 Skyline DR, DALY CITY, CA 94015
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 1,470 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$1,200,000

447 Hemlock AVE, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 960 Sq.Ft.
Leased
$7,000/mo

604 San Nicholas LN, FOSTER CITY, CA 94404
- 3 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,880 Sq.Ft.
For Lease
$1,604/mo

35 N DR, SAN MATEO, CA 94401
- 450 Sq.Ft.