California is home to some of the wealthiest Americans- from billionaires to Silicon Tech executives. Numerous towns in California are among the richest in the country. Below you will find a list of the 11 wealthiest towns in California.
The information presented in this article is based on data from the US Census American Community Survey and the rankings are based on median household income.
1. Atherton, CA
Atherton is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Atherton is an affluent town with lots of wealthy Silicon Valley tech executives. It is located in San Mateo county. Atherton residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $539,944.
Home values in Atherton are high with a median sale price of over $9,893,000. Most of the homes in Atherton are primarily owner-occupied with only 11.6% rentals and 88.4% owner-occupied.
Atherton has a population of 7,188. Its affluent residents are well educated with 84.6% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many families live in Atherton with 20.3% of Atherton residents under 18 years old.
Atherton’s residents enjoy a short commute to work with the average commute to work for Atherton’s residents being 23.1 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $539,944 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 84.6% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $9,893,000 |
2. Los Altos Hills, CA
Los Altos Hills is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Los Altos Hills is an affluent residential community drawing many wealthy residents from the Silicon Valley area.
Located in Santa Clara county, Los Altos Hills residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $417,418.
Home values in Los Altos Hills are high with a median sale price of over $5,638,000. Most of the homes in Los Altos Hills are primarily owner-occupied with only 5.6% rentals and 94.4% owner-occupied.
Los Altos Hills has a population of 8,489. Its affluent residents are well educated with 86.30% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many families live in Los Altos Hills with 20.3% of Los Altos Hills residents under 18 years old. Los Altos Hills residents enjoy a relatively short commute to work with an average commute to work of 27.2 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $417,418 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 86.3% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $5,638,000 |
3. Piedmont, CA
Piedmont is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Piedmont is an affluent suburb with top-rated schools located in San Francisco Bay Area’s Alameda county. Piedmont residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $360,360.
Home values in Piedmont are high with a median sale price of $2,571,000. Most of the homes in Piedmont are primarily owner-occupied with 11.9% rentals and 88.1% owner-occupied.
Piedmont has a population of 11,270. Its affluent residents are well educated with 85.70% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many families live in Piedmont with 27.20% of Piedmont residents under 18 years old. The average commute to work for Piedmont’s residents is 30 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $360,360 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 85.7% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $2,571,000 |
4. Los Altos, CA
Los Altos is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Los Altos is an affluent Silicon Valley community located in Santa Clara county. Los Altos residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $357,631.
Living in Los Altos is for the well to do with median sale price of $3,905,000. Most of the homes in Los Altos are primarily owner-occupied with 19.5% rentals and 80.5% owner-occupied.
Los Altos has a population of 31,625. Its affluent residents are well educated with 85.9% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many families live in Los Altos with 25% of Los Altos residents under 18 years old.
Los Altos’s residents have a good work-life balance with a short average commute to work of 23.7 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $357,631 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 85.9% |
| Median Sale Price | $3,905,000 |
5. Orinda, CA
Orinda is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Orinda is a beautiful suburb with top-rated schools and an easy commute to San Francisco.
It is located in Northern California’s Contra Costa county. Orinda residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $345,478.
Home values in Orinda are high with a median sale price of $1,999,000. Most of the homes in Orinda are primarily owner-occupied with only 5.9% rentals and 94.1% owner-occupied.
Orinda has a population of 19,514. Its affluent residents are well educated with 87% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Many families live in Orinda with 24.9% of Orinda residents under 18 years old. The average commute to work for Orinda’s residents is 36.5 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $345,478 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 87% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $1,999,000 |
6. Alamo, CA
Alamo is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Alamo is an affluent community with top-rated schools, outdoor parks, and sunny California weather.
Located in Northern California’s Contra Costa county, Alamo residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $332,932.
Home values in Alamo are high with a median sale price of $2,636,000. Most of the homes in Alamo are primarily owner-occupied with only 6.7% rentals and 93.3% owner-occupied.
Alamo has a population of 15,314. Its affluent residents are well educated with 76.1% of its residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Many families live in Alamo with 20.3% of Alamo residents under 18 years old. The average commute to work for Alamo’s residents is 31.5 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $332,932 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 76.1% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $2,636,000 |
7. Kentfield, CA
Kentfield is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Kentfield is an affluent community near San Francisco. It is located in Northern California’s Marin county. Kentfield residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $324,833.
Home values in Kentfield are high with a median sale price of $3,130,000. Most of the homes in Kentfield are primarily owner-occupied with 19.3% rentals and 80.7% owner-occupied.
Kentfield has a population of 6,808. Its affluent residents are well educated with 78.5% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Many families live in Kentfield with 26.40% of Kentfield residents under 18 years old. The average commute to work for Kentfield’s residents is 33.4.
| Mean Household Income | $324,833 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 78.5% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $3,130,000 |
8. Tiburon, CA
Tiburon is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Tiburon is an affluent town close to San Francisco where you can find homes with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Located in Northern California’s Marin county, Tiburon residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $304,909.
Home values in Tiburon are high with a median sale price of $2,933,000. Most of the homes in Tiburon are primarily owner-occupied with 30% rentals and 70% owner-occupied.
Tiburon has a population of 9,146. Its affluent residents are well educated with 77.6% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Many families live in Tiburon with 20.7% of Tiburon residents under 18 years old. The average commute to work for Tiburon’s residents is 27.4 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $304,909 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 77.6% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $2,933,000 |
9. Montecito, CA
Montecito is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Montecito is an affluent town with pristine homes and a relaxed lifestyle where you can dine alfresco at upscale restaurants or sunbathe on the white sand beaches.
Located in Santa Barbara county, Montecito residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $302,974.
Home values in Montecito are high with a median sale price of $5,121,000. Most of the homes in Montecito are primarily owner-occupied with 27.3% rentals and 72.7% owner-occupied.
Montecito has a population of 8,638. Its affluent residents are well educated with 75.6% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Montecito residents enjoy a short commute to work with the average commute being 17.8 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $302,974 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 75.6% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $5,121,000 |
10. Blackhawk, CA
Blackhawk is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Blackhawk is an affluent town with many homes in exclusive gated communities including the coveted homes in the gated Blackhawk Country Club.
Located in Northern California’s Contra Costa county, Blackhawk residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $296,809.
Home values in Blackhawk are high with a median sale price of $2,212,000. Most of the homes in Blackhawk are primarily owner-occupied with only 9% rentals and 91% owner-occupied.
Blackhawk has a population of 9,637. Its affluent residents are well educated with 70.8% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average commute to work for Blackhawk’s residents is 40 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $296,809 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 70.8% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $2,212,000 |
11. Malibu, CA
Malibu is one of the wealthiest towns in California. Malibu is a beautiful beachfront city with stunning views of the Pacific ocean. It is located in Los Angeles county. Malibu residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $290,715.
Home values in Malibu are high with a median sale price of $3,868,000. Most of the homes in Malibu are primarily owner-occupied with only 23.6% rentals and 76.4% owner-occupied.
Malibu has a population of 10,654. Its affluent residents are well educated with 67.90% graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average commute to work for Malibu’s residents is 32.5 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $290,715 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 67.9% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $3,868,000 |
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