Los Altos is about 40 miles south of San Francisco and developed over time first through land grants of the Mexican government and then by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The city of Los Altos was incorporated in 1952 when the local residents sought to protect their community from being annexed into another nearby municipality. Today, Los Altos serves as a hometown for many of the top high-tech executives who work in the prestigious Silicon Valley.
The residents of Los Altos enjoy a way of life that includes family values, a small-town atmosphere, excellent schools and numerous annual events that showcase the spirit of the community.
Los Altos demographics reflect an upscale and highly educated workforce. The U.S. Census reported that Los Altos was home to nearly 29,000 people in 2010. The Los Altos, California population is:
• 70.6% white
• 23.5% Asian
• 0.5% African American
• 0.2% Native American
• 0.2% Pacific Islander
The remainder of the community includes people from other races or those who have two or those of mixed race, according to the Census Bureau. Hispanics and Latinos make up about 3.9% of the Los Altos population. They are included in the percentage of whites. Of all the residents, 23 percent are foreign born.
The median age for residents in Los Altos is 42 years old, which is slightly higher than the national average at 36 years old. Almost 40 percent of residents are 50 years and older, while almost 25 percent are younger than 20 years old. With a slightly older population than the rest of the country, many residents live with their families, instead of as singles. The average household size is 2.6, and over 35 percent of households have kids, which is higher than the national average. Singles in Los Altos number at 17 percent of the population, with slightly more single males than single females. The national average for singles is around 27 percent.
Los Altos is known for offering “more house” for the money in the Bay Area, according to top real estate experts in the city. While Los Altos has an expensive real estate market compared to the rest of the country, the affluence of the community and comparative pricing in surrounding cities has led to 84 percent of the homes in Los Altos to be occupied by their owner, while renters make up about 16 percent of the community.
Los Altos is an affluent community with beautiful homes and a high quality of life. This is reflected in area income levels. The 2010 median household income in Los Altos was $151,856, which is double the state average, which is $61,632, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Per capita income is $77,267. The national per capita is $29,634. This high level of income can be attributed to the high level of education of Los Altos residents. Of the population that is 25 years and older, almost 99 percent have their high school diploma, compared to the 81 percent in the nation who have theirs. The percentage of those in Los Altos who have at least their bachelor’s degree is more than double the national average, with 76.7 percent compared to 30.2 percent.