Population 18,424 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Elmwood
Household size in Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.25 | 2.24 | 2.74 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.20 | 2.29 | 2.79 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.60 | 2.44 | 2.83 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 2.33 | 2.75 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.27 | +0.09 | +0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in Elmwood has 2.51 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Locally, though, the typical household here is bigger than in Berkeley as a whole, where it has 2.33 people. Household size has climbed from 2.25 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.4 | 35.8 | 38.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 25.5 | 35.4 | 39.4 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 26.0 | 35.9 | 40.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 27.1 | 37.5 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.7 | +1.7 | +2.7 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 27.1, Elmwood is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults in their twenties. The median age has climbed from 25.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Berkeley neighborhood is younger.
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 Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 6.8% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.2% | 6.4% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 6.0% | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 5.4% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Elmwood: 4.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.9 points, mirroring the country. Only two of Berkeley's 12 neighborhoods 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 Elmwood
Renters in Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.9% | 54.1% | 43.7% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 71.7% | 55.7% | 46.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 70.5% | 54.6% | 45.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 70.0% | 53.4% | 44.5% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −0.7 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Elmwood rent: 70.0% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 3.9 points, even as the national share rose. Only one other Berkeley neighborhood has a higher 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 Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 8.5% | 8.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 8.4% | 7.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.8% | 8.9% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.6% | 13.2% | 7.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +13.9 pts | +4.7 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 21.6% of the housing in Elmwood, 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 13.9 points, 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 Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1952 | 1946 | 1964 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1944 | 1949 | 1965 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1946 | 1949 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1953 | 1968 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +7 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Elmwood is a place of older homes: half were built before 1958, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Locally, though, homes here are newer than in Berkeley as a whole, where the median home dates to 1953. Only one other Berkeley neighborhood has newer homes.
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 Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,210 | $1,305 | $1,452 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,321 | $1,432 | $1,551 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,867 | $1,846 | $2,139 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,127 | $2,378 | $2,666 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$917 | +$1,073 | +$1,214 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Elmwood pays $2,127 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in Berkeley as a whole ($2,378). Rents are up $917 a month from 2006–10, a 76% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 42.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Elmwood
Bachelor's degrees in Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.2% | 68.9% | 42.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 71.7% | 69.9% | 44.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 74.9% | 73.5% | 48.9% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 78.9% | 74.8% | 52.2% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +5.9 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Elmwood: 78.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree is up 6.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.9% | 94.7% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.4% | 95.6% | 87.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.2% | 96.5% | 88.8% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.3% | 96.1% | 89.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | +1.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Elmwood: 98.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has barely moved since 2006–10, while the national rate rose.
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 Elmwood
| Period | Elmwood | Berkeley | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 7.1% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 5.8% | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 5.9% | 5.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Elmwood: 9.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. No other Berkeley neighborhood has higher unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Elmwood compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood | 2.51 | 27.1 | 4.1% | 70.0% | 21.6% | 1958 | $2,127 | 78.9% | 98.3% | 9.1% |
| South Berkeley | 2.25 | 30.0 | 4.3% | 68.4% | 15.5% | 1958 | $2,101 | 69.5% | 95.6% | 8.5% |
| Claremont | 2.53 | 49.7 | 7.3% | 18.7% | 10.3% | 1955 | $3,023 | 84.4% | 98.5% | 5.6% |
| Downtown Berkeley | 2.10 | 26.8 | 3.4% | 95.5% | 20.1% | 1966 | $2,059 | 64.8% | 98.6% | 5.0% |
| Fairview Park | 2.52 | 37.8 | 10.4% | 49.8% | 11.4% | 1939 | $2,571 | 79.3% | 97.5% | 2.8% |
| North Berkeley | 2.05 | 35.0 | 3.0% | 67.5% | 13.3% | 1946 | $2,210 | 79.5% | 95.7% | 4.4% |
| Bushrod | 2.30 | 36.8 | 8.8% | 58.4% | 7.1% | 1941 | $2,288 | 71.0% | 95.8% | 5.8% |
| Rockridge | 2.27 | 46.0 | 5.4% | 39.9% | 4.4% | 1942 | $2,631 | 85.5% | 97.7% | 3.9% |
| Central Berkeley | 2.14 | 38.2 | 7.0% | 61.3% | 11.6% | 1951 | $2,197 | 74.2% | 95.1% | 5.4% |
| Shafter | 2.30 | 39.1 | 10.3% | 56.6% | 7.0% | 1952 | $2,120 | 76.8% | 96.1% | 7.2% |
| SouthWest Berkeley | 2.28 | 40.4 | 7.1% | 57.8% | 11.1% | 1955 | $2,187 | 58.5% | 91.5% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Southwestern Outer Drive, Dearborn, MI · Fort Totten-Upper Northeast, Washington, DC · Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA · Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, CA · Hunting Park, Philadelphia, PA · Kensington, Philadelphia, PA · Loop, Chicago, IL · 19th Ward, Rochester, NY · Macalester-Groveland, St. Paul, MN · Maplewood-Ashcreek, Portland, OR
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 Elmwood. 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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