Town · California
Atherton, California
Atherton, town, in San Mateo County, California. Atherton had 6,960 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,188 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,993 (±21). GEOID 0603092.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,960
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,188 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,993 ±21
Median household income
$250,000 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
California: $99,122
Median home value
$2,000,000 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$3,500 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
California: $2,036
Where is Atherton and what county is it in?
Atherton is a town in San Mateo County, California. It covers 5.0 square miles of land, 1,433 residents per square mile in 2020.
Atherton is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Atherton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,960 people lived in Atherton on July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 7,188 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,993 (±21).
| Measure | Atherton | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,993 ±21 | 742,340 | −175 |
| Households | 2,227 ±126 | 264,419 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.85 ±0.16 | 2.76 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,667 ±176 | 287,184 | no clear change |
Atherton's population since 2000
From 7,194 in 2000 to 6,960 in 2025: down 3.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Atherton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Atherton?
The median resident of Atherton is 49.1 years old; 18.4% are under 18 and 25.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.0%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 18.0%. 20.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Atherton | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.1 ±2.7 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.4% ±2.2 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.6% ±3.8 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Male | 50.6% ±2.5 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.2% ±4.6 pts | 24.9% | +9.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.0% ±5.2 pts | 34.7% | −7.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.8 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 18.0% ±4.4 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±1.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 20.5% ±3.2 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 29.0% ±4.8 pts | 45.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.4% ±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| With a disability | 8.6% ±2.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.7% ±0.9 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.6% ±1.1 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 83.1% ±4.2 pts | 53.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 52.3% ±4.3 pts | 24.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.3% ±3.9 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9% ±1.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Atherton earn?
Half of Atherton's 2,227 households earn less than $250,000 or more a year (), against $158,855 in San Mateo County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $250,000 or more in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $57,674 after inflation. 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Atherton | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $250,000 or more | $158,855 | −$57,674 |
| Mean household income | $580,438 ±$67,733 | $231,822 | – |
| Per capita income | $188,631 ±$22,223 | $84,288 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.3% ±3.4 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.1% ±10.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.0% ±1.4 pts | 97.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.6% ±2.0 pts | 95.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Atherton?
Owners occupy 87.6% of Atherton's occupied homes and renters 12.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $2,000,000 or more by its owner (). The median renter pays $3,500 or more a month including utilities.
| Measure | Atherton | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $2,000,000 or more | $1,559,600 | −$461,388 |
| Median gross rent | $3,500 or more | $2,922 | −$808 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 18.0% ±19.6 pts | 40.3% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $4,000 or more | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 87.6% ±6.1 pts | 58.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 12.4% ±6.1 pts | 41.5% | – |
| Housing units | 2,667 ±176 | 287,184 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±14.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 97.3% ±1.9 pts | 55.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3% ±1.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 12.3% ±4.1 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.2% ±5.1 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.7% ±1.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Atherton building?
Builders took permits for 22 new housing units in Atherton in 2025 (22 in single-family houses), 3.2 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Atherton work and get to work?
44.9% of Atherton's workers drive alone and 40.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Atherton | San Mateo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.2% ±4.2 pts | 67.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% ±1.9 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 44.9% ±6.4 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0% ±3.9 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.7% ±1.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Walked | 3.8% ±2.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 40.8% ±5.9 pts | 24.3% | +26.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.2 min ±3.2 | 26.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Atherton?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Atherton (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $250,000 or more (Tract 6114) to $250,000 or more (Tract 6115).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 6114San Mateo County | 4,215 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 6115San Mateo County | 2,778 | $250,000 or more |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Atherton) · Census block assignment files
How does Atherton compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Atherton is the 4,081st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 410th-most populous of 483 in California.
Atherton ranks 1st of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 410th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 309th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 670th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 1st | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 2nd | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 1st | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 1st | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 747th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18th | 988 |
| Median age | 184th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 126th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 29th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 819th | 1,069 |
Atherton's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Atherton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Atherton?
13 of the 57 figures for Atherton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Atherton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Atherton.