6th most populous of 58
With 1,926,325 residents in 2024, Santa Clara County ranks 6th by population among California's 58 counties and is home to 4.9% of the state's residents.
Santa Clara County is home to 1,926,325 people (2024 estimate) on 1,291 square miles of land, with San Jose as county seat. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—and American Community Survey indicators on income, housing and employment.
Key indicators
Population
1,926,325
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
1,936,278
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−0.5%
2020–2024
Land area
1,291 mi²
3,344 km²
Population density
1,492.0 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
17,331
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
10,805
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+6,526
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+22,610
Domestic + international, 2024
Median home value
$1,490,600
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.1%
BLS annual average, 2024
Per capita personal income
$157,620
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$438.5 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$164,281
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
7.1%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
56.5%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
41.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–20241,926,325▲ 14%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 1,926,325 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 1,781,642 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 1,684,947 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +14.3% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +44,644 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −22,034 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 9.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 5.6 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in California | 6th of 58 | 2024 · calculated |
| Density rank in California | 8th of 58 | 2024 · calculated |
| County seat | San Jose | California State Association of Counties |
| Per capita personal income | $157,620 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $438.5 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $164,281 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 56.5% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 41.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $1,490,600 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $2,857/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 38.1 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 659,353 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Santa Clara County in context
Comparable indicators for Santa Clara County, California and the United States.
| Indicator | County | California | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −0.5% | −0.3% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.0 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 5.6 | 7.4 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 11.7 | 3.1 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 1,492.0 | 253.0 | 96.3 | Land area, Census Gazetteer |
| Per capita personal income | $157,620 | $86,232 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $164,281 | $99,122 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | 12.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 56.5% | 37.1% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 41.5% | 27.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $1,490,600 | $734,700 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $2,857/month | $2,036/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 38.1 years | 37.9 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.1% | 55.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
8 cities · choose how to order them
Did you know? Santa Clara County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 1,684,947 in 2000 to 1,926,325 in 2024, a change of +14.3%, compared with +16.0% for California as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 17,331 births and 10,805 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 6,526.
Peak population in 2017
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 1,932,251 in 2017. The 2024 figure is 5,926 lower.
8th in density
Santa Clara County has about 1,492.0 residents per square mile of land, ranking 8th of 58 counties; California averages 253.0.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $164,281 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 1st of 58 California counties; the state median is $99,122.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $438.5 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 2nd largest among 58 California counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 6.1% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2023 5-year
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts