Population 4,040 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of University South: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in University South
Household size in University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.98 | 2.50 | 2.97 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.02 | 2.54 | 3.05 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.03 | 2.58 | 3.07 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.64 | 2.96 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.39 | +0.15 | −0.00 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in University South are small: just 2.37 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has climbed from 1.98 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.0 | 40.9 | 36.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.8 | 41.8 | 37.6 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.5 | 42.5 | 38.5 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.0 | 44.2 | 39.4 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +3.4 | +2.8 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.0, University South is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees.
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 University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 6.3% | 10.4% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 6.0% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 7.0% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 6.1% | 9.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −0.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in University South: 5.9% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The picture is much the same across Palo Alto.
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 University South
Renters in University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.8% | 42.1% | 40.6% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 66.1% | 45.4% | 42.9% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.0% | 45.2% | 43.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 56.0% | 45.5% | 44.5% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +3.4 pts | +3.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in University South: 56.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Just over four in ten owners (42.5%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally.
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 University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 7.0% | 6.2% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 6.8% | 4.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 7.8% | 5.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 10.9% | 6.4% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +9.4 pts | +3.9 pts | +0.2 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in University South: 17.4% 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.
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 University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1960 | 1973 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1962 | 1961 | 1974 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1962 | 1975 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1962 | 1964 | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | −3 | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in University South is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1962, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. That is in line with the rest of Palo Alto.
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 University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,513 | $1,685 | $1,524 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,859 | $1,888 | $1,670 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,208 | $2,672 | $2,389 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,959 | $3,187 | $2,873 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,446 | +$1,503 | +$1,348 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in University South pays $2,959 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in Palo Alto as a whole ($3,187). Rent takes 25.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably 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 University South
Bachelor's degrees in University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.4% | 79.2% | 43.9% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 76.0% | 80.1% | 46.5% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 75.6% | 83.2% | 51.6% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 86.7% | 82.7% | 55.3% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +3.5 pts | +11.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in University South: 86.7% 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.
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 University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.2% | 97.6% | 85.5% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.3% | 97.4% | 86.4% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.1% | 97.5% | 88.1% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.6% | 96.8% | 89.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.8 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in University South: 96.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Palo Alto.
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 University South
| Period | University South | Palo Alto | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.7% | 5.1% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 5.7% | 8.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 3.1% | 4.4% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 4.2% | 4.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in University South runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. The picture is much the same across Palo Alto. 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).
University South 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University South | 2.37 | 47.0 | 5.9% | 56.0% | 17.4% | 1962 | $2,959 | 86.7% | 96.6% | 4.2% |
| Downtown North San Jose | 2.16 | 50.0 | 6.3% | 72.5% | 18.0% | 1966 | $2,417 | 74.2% | 92.9% | 0.0% |
| Crescent Park | 2.82 | 42.5 | 4.6% | 27.2% | 8.6% | 1943 | $3,501 | 88.0% | 97.9% | 3.1% |
| Old Palo Alto | 2.62 | 46.1 | 7.4% | 32.6% | 11.2% | 1947 | $3,501 | 87.2% | 98.4% | 2.0% |
| Duveneck-Saint Francis | 2.75 | 50.0 | 2.5% | 12.8% | 4.8% | 1954 | $3,501 | 83.1% | 99.2% | 11.3% |
| Stanford University | 1.85 | 23.2 | 7.1% | 79.6% | 21.6% | 1990 | $1,997 | 88.6% | 96.0% | 10.3% |
| Downtown Menlo Park | 1.89 | 43.1 | 7.0% | 86.0% | 12.7% | 1969 | $2,851 | 76.7% | 93.1% | 1.4% |
| Midtown-San Jose | 2.89 | 40.7 | 9.3% | 43.4% | 11.3% | 1963 | $3,402 | 79.2% | 98.6% | 6.9% |
| Ventura | 2.15 | 38.8 | 3.3% | 61.4% | 11.8% | 1968 | $2,996 | 79.7% | 99.0% | 2.1% |
| Belle Haven | 3.72 | 36.3 | 8.8% | 43.4% | 10.6% | 1966 | $2,880 | 31.9% | 74.9% | 10.1% |
| Barron Park | 3.14 | 41.4 | 11.2% | 37.6% | 11.9% | 1972 | $3,116 | 73.9% | 91.1% | 4.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bonhamtown, Edison, NJ · Aviation, Detroit, MI · Beverly Park, Hollywood, FL · Bay Colony, Baldwin Harbor, NY · Bayswater, Indianapolis, IN · Beatties Ford-Trinity, Charlotte, NC · Turner Park, Tulsa, OK · Samish Hill, Bellingham, WA · Reagan, San Angelo, TX · Ruskin Heights, Kansas City, MO
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 University South. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.