City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Santa Clara, CA

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

129,239
Residents
$173,670
Median income
$1,527,900
Median home
$2,912
Median rent (state)

Santa Clara - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Santa Clara places in the 97th percentile for household income and the 20th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

97th
percentile, household income
99th
percentile, home value
97th
percentile, median rent
20th
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: Santa Clara, CA

California's Santa Clara is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 129,239 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Santa Clara brings in $173,670 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.4%. Typical homes in Santa Clara are valued around $1,527,900, and the median resident age is 34.5 years. Educational attainment runs 65.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 68.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 97 residential building permits were authorized in Santa Clara (Construction Slowdown), down 85% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2683.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,912 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 17.7 minutes, with 61.0% driving alone and 23.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

129,239 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$173,670 /yr

Poverty 4.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Santa Clara compare to other US cities?

Here's how Santa Clara stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 97% higher than other cities
Home value 99% pricier than other cities
Median rent 97% pricier than other cities
Safety 20% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, Santa Clara ranks #336 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Santa Clara's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

97thIncome percentile
20thSafety percentile

97th percentile nationally for median household income · 20th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Santa Clara's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Santa Clara'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Santa Clara'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 Santa Clara's home value compares nationally

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

$1,527,900 1st percentile more affordable than 1% 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. Santa Clara $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 - Santa Clara, CA Santa Clara, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA median $173,670/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%
Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 65.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.6%

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

Population
129,239
Median Income
$173,670
Median Home Value
$1,527,900
Median Age
34.5
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor force participation
68.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
65.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2683.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
182.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2501.9
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
24
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
128,000 residents130,000 residents132,000 residents134,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 128,614 residents 133,446 residents ▲ +3.8%
Santa Clara's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
97
housing units authorized
Single-Family
61
detached homes
Multifamily
36
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 628
2020 612
2021 409
2022 2,543
2023 898
2024 97

Permit volume decreased 85% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.7 minutes
Drive Alone
61.0%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
2.5%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
23.7%
Other
2.7%

Based on 73,109 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 Santa Clara sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,912/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Simi Valley
125,769 people
Thousand Oaks
125,676 people
Vallejo
124,637 people
Concord
124,260 people
Clovis
122,719 people
Victorville
135,983 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Santa Clara's 129,239 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fargo, ND
129,064 people
Norman, OK
128,714 people
Lewisville, TX
128,313 people
Lehigh Acres, FL
127,391 people
Columbia, MO
127,200 people
Abilene, TX
127,130 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Santa Clara's $173,670 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hopkinton, MA
$173,750 median income
Annetta, TX
$173,750 median income
Linganore, MD
$173,763 median income
Salisbury, NY
$173,808 median income
Shinnecock Hills, NY
$173,523 median income
Queensland, MD
$173,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 31.9% 47.6% 8.2% 9.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.1% White 31.9% Black or African American 2.1% Asian 47.6% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.7% Some other race 8.2% Two or more races 9.2% 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 Santa Clara 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
Santa Clara (this city) 129,239 $173,670
Simi Valley 125,769 $117,703
Thousand Oaks 125,676 $134,367
Vallejo 124,637 $89,496
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Santa Clara, CA?

What is the population of Santa Clara, CA? +

Santa Clara, CA counts 129,239 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Santa Clara, CA? +

The median household income in Santa Clara is $173,670 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Santa Clara? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Santa Clara; 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 Santa Clara, CA safe? +

Santa Clara has a total crime rate of 2683.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Santa Clara, CA? +

Santa Clara's median home value sits at $1,527,900, 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 Editorial

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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.