Population 8,634 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Atherton
Household size in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.89 | 2.74 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.70 | 2.79 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.92 | 2.83 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.78 | 2.75 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | +0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Atherton holds 2.78 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.89 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.7 | 38.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.2 | 39.4 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.8 | 40.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.1 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.5 | +2.7 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Atherton skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.1, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has dropped from 45.7 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Atherton: 4.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 5.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 21 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Atherton
Renters in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 43.7% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 46.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 45.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 44.5% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 16.2% of households in Atherton rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 47.0% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.4 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 55 have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 8.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 7.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.9% | 7.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Atherton: 15.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 7.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1964 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1959 | 1965 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1963 | 1968 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Atherton is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1963, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Atherton has older homes than the great majority of California cities.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,828 | $1,452 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,960 | $1,551 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $3,213 | $2,139 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $3,422 | $2,666 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,594 | +$1,214 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Atherton costs $3,422 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,594 a month since 2006–10, up 87%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 22.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only ten of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Atherton
Bachelor's degrees in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.3% | 42.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 80.5% | 44.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 78.0% | 48.9% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 80.5% | 52.2% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Atherton is highly educated: about eight in ten adults 25 and older (80.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 14 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.8% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.7% | 87.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.7% | 88.8% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.7% | 89.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Atherton: 97.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 54 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Atherton
| Period | Atherton | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 8.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 5.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Atherton runs below the national rate: 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Only 54 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Atherton compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atherton | 2.78 | 44.1 | 4.0% | 16.2% | 15.9% | 1963 | $3,422 | 80.5% | 97.7% | 3.7% |
| Menlo Park | 2.79 | 40.4 | 6.5% | 42.0% | 11.7% | 1967 | $3,095 | 72.5% | 92.5% | 5.0% |
| North Fair Oaks | 3.70 | 34.7 | 16.9% | 59.7% | 6.9% | 1967 | $2,231 | 20.1% | 70.3% | 8.8% |
| Redwood City | 2.78 | 39.7 | 8.3% | 48.1% | 7.1% | 1970 | $3,033 | 55.4% | 87.4% | 4.3% |
| Stanford | 1.87 | 23.7 | 7.0% | 74.5% | 21.6% | 1989 | $1,998 | 88.8% | 96.0% | 10.0% |
| Woodside | 2.94 | 43.1 | 5.1% | 14.6% | 9.3% | 1966 | $3,298 | 74.5% | 99.0% | 4.3% |
| East Palo Alto | 3.72 | 36.3 | 12.9% | 50.8% | 10.8% | 1965 | $2,599 | 27.8% | 76.1% | 4.5% |
| Palo Alto | 2.64 | 44.2 | 6.1% | 45.5% | 10.9% | 1964 | $3,187 | 82.7% | 96.8% | 4.2% |
| San Carlos | 2.76 | 42.6 | 6.4% | 31.0% | 6.9% | 1962 | $3,060 | 71.2% | 96.9% | 4.7% |
| Portola Valley | 2.55 | 56.8 | 2.0% | 17.3% | 8.3% | 1966 | $3,499 | 81.9% | 94.2% | 3.9% |
| Belmont | 2.61 | 40.9 | 5.3% | 44.5% | 8.8% | 1965 | $2,949 | 69.9% | 95.5% | 6.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Harold, FL · Inwood, NY · Ingleside, TX · Indian Harbour Beach, FL · Imlay City, MI · Toano, VA · Tomahawk, WI · Highland Park, TX · Trafford, PA · Travilah, MD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Atherton. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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