Population 20,392 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Orinda
Household size in Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 2.74 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.67 | 2.79 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.71 | 2.83 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.74 | 2.75 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | +0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Orinda holds 2.74 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.64 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the north.
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 Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.6 | 38.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.4 | 39.4 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.9 | 40.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.0 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +2.7 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Orinda skews older: half of its residents are older than 48.0, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 46.6, as it has nationally.
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 Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 2.8% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Orinda: 4.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only 41 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 Orinda
Renters in Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.9% | 43.7% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 46.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.4% | 45.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 44.5% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Orinda is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 10.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 29.8% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 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 Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 8.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.2% | 7.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 7.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 3.5% of homes in Orinda are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 33 have a lower vacancy rate.
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 Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1964 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1961 | 1965 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1968 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Orinda is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1965, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1962 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
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 Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,659 | $1,452 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,609 | $1,551 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,642 | $2,139 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,489 | $2,666 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$830 | +$1,214 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Orinda pays $2,489 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the wider San Francisco area ($2,666). Rents are up $830 a month from 2006–10, a 50% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.7% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Orinda
Bachelor's degrees in Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.5% | 42.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 77.8% | 44.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 81.2% | 48.9% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 84.9% | 52.2% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.4 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Orinda is highly educated: just over eight in ten adults 25 and older (84.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.4 points, mirroring the country. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only three 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 Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.1% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.1% | 87.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.3% | 88.8% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.2% | 89.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Orinda: 98.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 37 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 Orinda
| Period | Orinda | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.1% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.3% | 8.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 5.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Orinda runs below the national rate: 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Only 48 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Orinda 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orinda | 2.74 | 48.0 | 4.7% | 10.1% | 3.5% | 1965 | $2,489 | 84.9% | 98.2% | 3.6% |
| Orinda Village | 2.66 | 50.3 | 8.5% | 6.5% | 7.1% | 1989 | $3,347 | 76.0% | 97.7% | 4.0% |
| Canyon | 2.39 | 44.2 | 4.8% | 7.0% | 4.1% | 1970 | $3,267 | 83.1% | 98.9% | 3.9% |
| Moraga | 2.77 | 41.2 | 4.8% | 15.9% | 5.0% | 1972 | $3,154 | 80.6% | 98.6% | 6.5% |
| Lafayette | 2.66 | 45.5 | 6.1% | 23.2% | 4.2% | 1964 | $3,100 | 78.8% | 99.0% | 4.9% |
| Piedmont | 2.75 | 45.5 | 6.8% | 14.0% | 6.6% | 1942 | $2,644 | 87.9% | 98.8% | 2.0% |
| Berkeley | 2.33 | 37.5 | 5.4% | 53.4% | 13.2% | 1953 | $2,378 | 74.8% | 96.1% | 5.9% |
| Reliez Valley | 2.91 | 48.5 | 6.2% | 5.3% | 1.8% | 1970 | $3,468 | 80.8% | 98.9% | 3.9% |
| Oakland | 2.62 | 38.7 | 12.8% | 57.9% | 8.1% | 1958 | $2,124 | 45.9% | 82.9% | 6.5% |
| Emeryville | 2.20 | 36.0 | 11.2% | 68.9% | 11.1% | 1965 | $2,440 | 61.7% | 94.6% | 7.1% |
| Albany | 2.44 | 39.7 | 6.3% | 46.0% | 6.7% | 1959 | $2,608 | 78.1% | 97.7% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Milwaukie, OR · Olivehurst, CA · Northdale, FL · North Myrtle Beach, SC · Niles, OH · Morris, IL · Morovis, PR · Monticello, MN · Mineola, NY · Owens Cross Roads, AL
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 Orinda. 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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