Population 1,902,047 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Santa Clara County
Household size in Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.96 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.04 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.06 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.95 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Santa Clara County are large by national standards, averaging 2.95 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the northwest.
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 Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.7 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.5 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
At 39.5, the median age in Santa Clara County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 36.7, 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 Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in twelve households in Santa Clara County (8.8%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Santa Clara County
Renters in Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 43.0% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.6% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 44.9% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Santa Clara County than nationally: 44.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 33.9% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the southeast. The renter share is up 4.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Santa Clara County than nationally: 6.4%, against 9.6% for the U.S. California as a whole looks much the same. Santa Clara County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five California counties.
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 Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1976 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Santa Clara County was built around 1976, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the center 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 Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,532 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,680 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,414 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,907 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,375 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Santa Clara County runs $2,907 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,375 a month since 2006–10, up 90%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 29.7% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Only one other California county has 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 Santa Clara County
Bachelor's degrees in Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 47.4% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.6% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 56.5% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.8 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Santa Clara County: 56.5% 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 has risen 11.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only two of California's 58 counties 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 Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.4% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Santa Clara County is close to the national rate: 89.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in California as a whole (84.2%). The share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Santa Clara County
| Period | Santa Clara County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Santa Clara County is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in California overall (6.6%). Unemployment has fallen 2.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Santa Clara County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County | 2.95 | 39.5 | 8.8% | 44.9% | 6.4% | 1976 | $2,907 | 56.5% | 89.1% | 4.9% |
| Merced County | 3.43 | 32.5 | 18.3% | 46.0% | 6.5% | 1987 | $1,488 | 15.2% | 71.7% | 10.4% |
| Montezuma County | 2.37 | 45.9 | 10.2% | 23.8% | 9.5% | 1984 | $1,029 | 32.0% | 91.2% | 3.7% |
| La Plata County | 2.27 | 43.0 | 6.7% | 29.1% | 13.6% | 1991 | $1,421 | 48.9% | 96.4% | 3.9% |
| Archuleta County | 2.36 | 51.2 | 5.4% | 19.9% | 36.4% | 1996 | $1,433 | 39.4% | 95.8% | 1.1% |
| Alamosa County | 2.40 | 33.7 | 14.9% | 44.1% | 9.2% | 1984 | $951 | 33.1% | 88.3% | 3.6% |
| Costilla County | 2.21 | 52.1 | 10.6% | 21.0% | 32.4% | 1981 | $891 | 24.3% | 90.1% | 3.3% |
| Baca County | 2.05 | 46.5 | 8.5% | 28.5% | 15.7% | 1969 | $646 | 24.4% | 88.1% | 0.7% |
| Haskell County | 2.59 | 36.9 | 7.0% | 23.7% | 9.5% | 1974 | $836 | 19.3% | 74.7% | 3.8% |
| Meade County | 2.56 | 39.6 | 15.1% | 26.0% | 20.9% | 1958 | $826 | 26.5% | 88.7% | 1.4% |
| Clark County | 2.45 | 42.1 | 8.4% | 26.4% | 23.8% | 1947 | $785 | 31.1% | 91.7% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Miami-Dade County, FL · Kings County, NY · Dallas County, TX · Riverside County, CA · Gwinnett County, GA · Allegheny County, PA · Hennepin County, MN · Hillsborough County, FL · Honolulu County, HI · King County, WA
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 Santa Clara County. 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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