Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Portola Valley, CA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

4,305

Median Agei

60.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

74.4%3,203

Hispanic/Latino

10%431

Asian

9.8%422

Two or More

4.5%193

Other

1.1%48

Black

0.2%8

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

0.1%3

High School Diploma

1.8%61

Some College (<1 yr)

1.2%41

Some College (1+ yr)

8.5%284

Associate's Degree

1%32

Bachelor's Degree

38.4%1,284

Master's Degree

33.8%1,130

Professional Degree

7.4%249

Doctorate

7.4%246

HS or Higher

99.5%

BA or Higher

86.9%

Graduate+

48.6%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$2,000,001

Median Renti

$3,501

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

78.8%1,392

Renter-Occupied

21.2%375

Total Units

1,894

Homeownership

78.8%

Vacancy Rate

6.7%

Home Values

$1M+

100%1,392

Rent Distribution

$1,000–$1,250

$2,000+

296

Year Built

2020 or later

1.8%35

2010–2019

2.2%42

2000–2009

2.9%55

1990–1999

2.1%40

1980–1989

11.7%221

1970–1979

14.9%282

1960–1969

36.4%690

1950–1959

18.3%347

1940–1949

0.8%16

1939 or earlier

8.8%166

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

76.9%1,359

Electricity

17.4%308

Solar

2.9%51

Bottled/LP Gas

1%18

Fuel Oil

0.9%16

Other

0.8%15

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$250,000+

Mean Household Incomei

$464,109

Per Capita Incomei

$191,133

Poverty Ratei

6.1%

Unemploymenti

3.1%

Labor Forcei

1,526

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

1.8%31

$10K–$15K

0.8%15

$15K–$20K

5.3%94

$20K–$25K

1.1%19

$35K–$40K

0.3%6

$40K–$45K

1.2%21

$50K–$60K

0.8%14

$60K–$75K

0.7%13

$75K–$100K

4.7%83

$100K–$125K

5.4%96

$125K–$150K

7.3%129

$150K–$200K

5.1%91

$200K+

65.4%1,155

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

61014.2%

By Region

Top Countries

Philippines

140

China

Mexico

United Kingdom

India

Canada

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

1,457

Avg. Commutei

19.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

1,478

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

199(5.7% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

99%Insured

1%Uninsured