City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Alameda, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Alameda - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

76,876
Residents
$132,015
Median income
$1,203,900
Median home
$3,604
Median rent (state)

Alameda - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Alameda lands in the 91st percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

91st
percentile, household income
98th
percentile, home value
99th
percentile, median rent
3rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Alameda, CA

Alameda is a small city in California, home to 76,876 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Alameda brings in $132,015 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.8%. Typical homes in Alameda are valued around $1,203,900, and the median resident age is 40.7 years. Educational attainment runs 60.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 88 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 87% from five years earlier. Alameda's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 5231.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $3,604 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Alameda workers runs 23.0 minutes, with 46.7% driving alone and 28.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

76,876 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$132,015 /yr

Poverty 4.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Alameda compare to other US cities?

Where Alameda sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 91% higher than other cities
Home value 98% pricier than other cities
Median rent 99% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Alameda ranks #426 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Alameda against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is Alameda's strongest outlier among California cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Alameda ranks #50 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Alameda only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#254 of 1,338
81st percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#50 of 1,458
91st percentile in California
Median Home Value
#153 of 1,343
89th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#862 of 1,450
40th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#171 of 1,458
88th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

91stIncome percentile
3rdSafety percentile

91st percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Alameda's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Alameda's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Alameda's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Alameda's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$1,203,900 2nd percentile more affordable than 2% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Alameda $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Alameda, CA Alameda, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Alameda, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Alameda, CA median $132,015/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Alameda, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Alameda, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 60.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
76,876
Median Income
$132,015
Median Home Value
$1,203,900
Median Age
40.7
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Labor force participation
63.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
60.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5231.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
317.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4914.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
18
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
75,000 residents76,000 residents77,000 residents78,000 residents79,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 78,115 residents 76,876 residents ▼ -1.6%
Alameda's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
88
housing units authorized
Single-Family
88
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 683
2020 348
2021 618
2022 197
2023 138
2024 88

Permit volume decreased 87% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.0 minutes
Drive Alone
46.7%
Carpool
6.4%
Public Transit
12.2%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
28.1%
Other
4.0%

Based on 38,556 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Alameda sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,604/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Bellflower
77,396 people
Pleasanton
77,500 people
Pittsburg
75,868 people
Chino Hills
78,024 people
Carmichael
78,070 people
Milpitas
78,216 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Alameda's 76,876 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wyoming, MI
76,865 people
Rapid City, SD
76,836 people
Woodbury, MN
76,945 people
Schaumburg, IL
76,780 people
Bethlehem, PA
77,069 people
Hammond, IN
77,098 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Alameda's $132,015 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sagamore, MA
$132,000 median income
Hockinson, WA
$132,083 median income
Chalfont, PA
$131,944 median income
Shackle Island, TN
$131,944 median income
West Bay Shore, NY
$132,102 median income
Lake Shore, WA
$132,102 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Alameda, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Alameda, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 43.4% 6.1% 30.3% 14.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.2% White 43.4% Black or African American 6.1% Asian 30.3% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 4.8% Two or more races 14.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Alameda compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Alameda (this city) 76,876 $132,015
Bellflower 77,396 $77,602
Pleasanton 77,500 $186,206
Pittsburg 75,868 $101,099
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Alameda, CA?

What is the population of Alameda, CA? +

The population of Alameda, CA stands at 76,876 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Alameda, CA? +

Alameda households earn a median of $132,015 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Alameda? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Alameda; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Alameda, CA safe? +

Alameda has a total crime rate of 5231.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Alameda, CA? +

Homes in Alameda carry a median value of $1,203,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.