County · California
Alameda County, California
Alameda County, California. Alameda County had 1,636,630 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). It holds 20 places (14 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 379 census tracts. GEOID 06001.
Alameda County is one of the 5 counties of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,636,630
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,682,353 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,649,473
Median household income
$129,367
±$1,284 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$1,090,100
±$6,313 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,357
±$16 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
How many people live in Alameda County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 1,682,353 residents in Alameda County. The Census Bureau estimates 1,636,630 for July 1, 2025, down 2.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 1,649,473 over 737 square miles of land.
| Measure | Alameda County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,649,473 | 39,287,377 | −7,281 |
| Households | 598,246±1,734 | 13,548,091 | +21,069 |
| Average household size | 2.70±0.01 | 2.84 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 637,212±385 | 14,644,735 | +29,116 |
Alameda County's population since 2000
From 1,443,741 in 2000 to 1,636,630 in 2025: up 13.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Alameda County?
Alameda County holds 20 places: 14 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Oakland with 440,838 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Oakland | 440,646 | $101,600 |
|---|---|---|
| Fremont | 230,504 | $181,506 |
| Hayward | 162,954 | $113,318 |
| Berkeley | 124,321 | $108,092 |
| San Leandro | 91,008 | $101,420 |
| Livermore | 87,955 | $160,775 |
| Pleasanton | 79,871 | $190,124 |
| Alameda | 78,280 | $137,697 |
| Dublin | 72,589 | $214,385 |
| Union City | 70,143 | $133,715 |
| Castro Valley | 66,441 | $142,779 |
| Newark | 47,529 | $169,064 |
| San Lorenzo | 29,581 | $112,660 |
| Ashland | 23,823 | $81,702 |
| Albany | 20,271 | $144,107 |
| Cherryland | 15,808 | $86,418 |
| Emeryville | 12,905 | $117,092 |
| Fairview | 11,341 | $148,667 |
| Piedmont | 11,270 | $250,000 or more |
| Sunol | 922 | $215,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Alameda County?
The median resident of Alameda County is 39.0 years old; 19.8% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Asian residents at 32.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 27.4%. 34.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Alameda County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0±0.2 | 37.9 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 19.8% | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4% | 15.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 23.4% | 40.2% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 27.4%±0.1 pts | 33.8% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.3%±0.1 pts | 5.2% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 32.7%±0.1 pts | 15.3% | +2.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 34.7%±0.3 pts | 27.0% | +2.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 47.2%±0.3 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.0%±0.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 10.3%±0.2 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.0%±0.2 pts | 6.6% | −0.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.8%±0.3 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 52.2%±0.5 pts | 37.1% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 23.4%±0.4 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.1 pts | 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 Alameda County earn?
Half of Alameda County's 598,246 households earn less than $129,367 a year (±$1,284), against $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $122,338 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,029 after inflation. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Alameda County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $129,367±$1,284 | $99,122 | +$7,029 |
| Mean household income | $177,144±$1,624 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $65,862±$642 | $49,513 | +$7,633 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.2%±0.3 pts | 12.0% | −0.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.8%±0.6 pts | 15.0% | −2.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9%±0.3 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.4%±0.2 pts | 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 Alameda County?
Owners occupy 54.4% of Alameda County's occupied homes and renters 45.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,090,100 by its owner (±$6,313). The median renter pays $2,357 a month including utilities, and 41.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Alameda County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,090,100±$6,313 | $734,700 | +$143,327 |
| Median gross rent | $2,357±$16 | $2,036 | +$145 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.8%±0.9 pts | 46.0% | +1.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,810±$32 | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.4%±0.5 pts | 55.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Housing units | 637,212±385 | 14,644,735 | +29,116 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.7%±0.4 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.0%±0.4 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3%±0.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.6%±0.3 pts | 8.9% | – |
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 Alameda County building?
Builders took permits for 2,778 new housing units across Alameda County in 2025 (1,117 single-family), 1.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Alameda County get to work?
52.6% of Alameda County's workers drive alone and 25.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Alameda County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.9%±0.3 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±0.2 pts | 6.6% | +0.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 52.6%±0.6 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.3%±0.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 7.7%±0.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.8%±0.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 25.7%±0.4 pts | 17.2% | +19.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.0 min±0.2 | 28.7 min | −3.3 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 are Alameda County's census tracts?
Alameda County is divided into 379 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $19,981 (Tract 4028.02) to $250,000 or more (Tract 4511.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Alameda County compare with California's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 40th of 58 |
| Residents per square mile | 4th of 58 |
| Median household income | 5th of 58 |
| Median home value | 5th of 58 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 58 |
| Median age | 33rd of 58 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Alameda County 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' school search.