City · California

Redwood City, California

Redwood City, city, in San Mateo County, California. Redwood City had 82,178 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 84,292 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 82,447 (±66). GEOID 0660102.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

82,178

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 84,292 · ACS 2020-2024: 82,447 ±66

Median household income

$157,814

±$8,282 (90% margin)
California: $99,122

Median home value

$1,801,700

±$68,925 (90% margin)
California: $734,700

Median gross rent

$2,968

±$76 (90% margin)
California: $2,036

Where is Redwood City and what county is it in?

Redwood City is a city in San Mateo County, California. It covers 19.3 square miles of land, 4,359 residents per square mile in 2020.

Redwood City is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Redwood City (marked with a dot) in San Mateo County, California. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Redwood City, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 82,178 people lived in Redwood City on July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 84,292 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 82,447 (±66).

  • July 2020→2021 −2,197 (81,692)
  • 2021→2022 −3 (81,689)
  • 2022→2023 +282 (81,971)
  • 2023→2024 +490 (82,461)
  • 2024→2025 −283 (82,178)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure Redwood CitySan Mateo CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Total population 82,447 ±66 742,340 39,287,377 −3,337
Households 29,951 ±732 264,419 13,548,091 no clear change
Average household size 2.69 ±0.07 2.76 2.84 no clear change
Housing units 32,135 ±744 287,184 14,644,735 no clear change

Redwood City's population since 2000

From 75,402 in 2000 to 82,178 in 2025: up 9.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Redwood City 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.

  • 2000 Census 75,402
  • 2005 (estimate) 73,511
  • 2010 Census 76,815
  • 2015 (estimate) 83,830
  • 2020 Census 84,292
  • 2025 (estimate) 82,178

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 Redwood City?

The median resident of Redwood City is 37.5 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 13.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 36.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 35.6%. 32.9% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure Redwood CitySan Mateo CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Median age 37.5 ±0.9 40.9 37.9 no clear change
Under 18 years 21.3% ±1.1 pts 19.5% 22.0% –
65 years and over 13.8% ±0.8 pts 17.8% 15.7% –
Male 50.8% ±1.1 pts 49.8% 49.9% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 35.6% ±2.2 pts 24.9% 40.2% no clear change
White alone, not Hispanic 36.7% ±1.7 pts 34.7% 33.8% −7.4 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 2.9% ±0.8 pts 2.0% 5.2% +1.4 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic 18.0% ±1.4 pts 31.0% 15.3% +3.8 pts
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.1% ±0.1 pts 0.1% 0.3% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.5% ±0.3 pts 1.1% 0.3% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 5.3% ±0.7 pts 5.2% 4.4% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.9% ±0.3 pts 0.9% 0.6% –
Born outside the United States 32.9% ±1.4 pts 35.7% 27.0% no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 46.5% ±2.0 pts 45.8% 44.4% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 2.1% ±0.4 pts 2.9% 4.3% –
With a disability 8.7% ±0.9 pts 9.4% 11.6% –
No health insurance coverage 4.6% ±0.8 pts 3.8% 6.6% no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 87.1% ±1.7 pts 90.2% 84.7% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 54.4% ±1.7 pts 53.7% 37.1% +4.2 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 26.9% ±1.6 pts 24.1% 14.4% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 86.1% ±1.5 pts 88.4% 89.2% –
Moved from another state in the past year 2.0% ±0.6 pts 1.5% 1.1% –

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 Redwood City earn?

Half of Redwood City's 29,951 households earn less than $157,814 a year (±$8,282), against $158,855 in San Mateo County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $144,143 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $13,671 after inflation. 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure Redwood CitySan Mateo CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $157,814 ±$8,282 $158,855 $99,122 +$13,671
Mean household income $226,989 ±$9,224 $231,822 $140,436 –
Per capita income $84,106 ±$3,724 $84,288 $49,513 +$9,786
People below the poverty line 6.3% ±1.0 pts 6.7% 12.0% −2.7 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line 5.6% ±2.1 pts 6.2% 15.0% −6.0 pts
Households receiving SNAP 6.2% ±1.4 pts 5.1% 12.4% –
Households with a computer 98.4% ±0.5 pts 97.7% 96.9% –
Households with a broadband subscription 95.4% ±1.1 pts 95.7% 93.5% –

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 Redwood City?

Owners occupy 48.6% of Redwood City's occupied homes and renters 51.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,801,700 by its owner (±$68,925). The median renter pays $2,968 a month including utilities, and 41.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure Redwood CitySan Mateo CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $1,801,700 ±$68,925 $1,559,600 $734,700 +$262,102
Median gross rent $2,968 ±$76 $2,922 $2,036 no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 41.6% ±2.7 pts 40.3% 46.0% no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $4,000 or more $4,000 or more $2,946 –
Owner-occupied homes 48.6% ±1.8 pts 58.5% 55.9% no clear change
Renter-occupied homes 51.4% ±1.8 pts 41.5% 44.1% –
Housing units 32,135 ±744 287,184 14,644,735 no clear change
Homeowner vacancy rate 0.2% ±0.2 pts 0.7% 0.8% –
Rental vacancy rate 8.6% ±1.9 pts 8.5% 4.2% –
Single-family detached homes 43.2% ±1.4 pts 55.3% 57.0% –
Mobile homes 1.9% ±0.5 pts 1.1% 3.5% –
Built 2020 or later 1.0% ±0.3 pts 1.0% 1.3% –
Built 2010 to 2019 9.9% ±0.9 pts 5.4% 6.5% –
Built 1939 or earlier 8.1% ±0.9 pts 8.6% 8.9% –
Households with no vehicle 6.2% ±0.9 pts 5.8% 7.1% –

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 Redwood City building?

Builders took permits for 236 new housing units in Redwood City in 2025 (52 in single-family houses), 2.9 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.

  • 2019 201 units
  • 2020 (3 months) 145 units
  • 2021 193 units
  • 2022 49 units
  • 2023 53 units
  • 2024 91 units
  • 2025 236 units

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 Redwood City work and get to work?

55.3% of Redwood City's workers drive alone and 26.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure Redwood CitySan Mateo CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 69.0% ±1.5 pts 67.3% 63.8% –
Unemployment rate 4.1% ±0.9 pts 4.8% 6.6% +1.2 pts
Drove alone to work 55.3% ±2.0 pts 56.7% 65.7% –
Carpooled 9.5% ±1.5 pts 8.7% 9.5% –
Public transportation 3.8% ±0.7 pts 5.1% 2.9% –
Walked 2.4% ±0.6 pts 2.3% 2.4% –
Worked from home 26.7% ±1.8 pts 24.3% 17.2% +22.1 pts
Mean travel time to work 24.3 min ±0.8 26.4 min 28.7 min −2.2 min

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 Redwood City?

18 census tracts lie mostly in Redwood City, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $74,988 (Tract 6102.01) to $250,000 or more (Tract 6098).

Census tracts in Redwood City, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (the 12 with the most residents inside it; every tract on the full list)
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Redwood City
Tract 6103.03San Mateo County7,229 $222,107 $1,990,100100%
Tract 6110San Mateo County6,515 $140,426 $1,619,800100%
Tract 6107San Mateo County6,302 $146,476 $1,884,70098%
Tract 6111San Mateo County6,347 $185,875 $2,000,000 or more90%
Tract 6102.01San Mateo County5,596 $74,988 $996,700100%
Tract 6104San Mateo County5,447 $120,453 $1,278,100100%
Tract 6102.02San Mateo County5,064 $185,920 not published100%
Tract 6103.02San Mateo County4,823 $142,212 $276,30093%
Tract 6100San Mateo County4,477 $164,852 $2,000,000100%
Tract 6103.04San Mateo County4,444 $200,426 $1,513,400100%
Tract 6108San Mateo County4,426 $105,293 $980,000100%
Tract 6098San Mateo County4,491 $250,000 or more $2,000,000 or more76%

Every census tract in Redwood City, with its figures

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 Redwood City) · Census block assignment files

How does Redwood City compare with other places in California?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Redwood City is the 451st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 104th-most populous of 483 in California.

Redwood City ranks 126th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Redwood City's rank in California (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate104th483
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)283rd469
Residents per square mile287th1,077
Median household income126th1,037
Per capita income130th1,073
Median home value76th1,054
Median gross rent100th987
Poverty rate686th836
Bachelor's degree or higher193rd988
Median age657th1,075
Owner-occupied share924th1,064
Work from home169th822
Travel time to work756th1,069

Redwood City's figures with every place in California (CSV)

Every place in California, sortable · Compare Redwood City 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 Redwood City?

2 of the 57 figures for Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City.