Los Altos, CA Population in 2026: Official counts and How few homes sell
The Census Bureau's latest estimate puts the Los Altos, CA population at 30,864 residents as of mid-2024.
Key takeaway
With about 30,864 residents, Los Altos is a small city where homes rarely come up for sale, so turnover matters more than the raw headcount. Detached houses sell fast and above asking, while the small condo market moves slowly enough to leave room for negotiation.
Who this guide is for
You are weighing a move to Los Altos and want to know how big the city is and what its size means for finding and winning a home.
What is the population of Los Altos, CA?
The headcount itself says little about how hard it is to buy here. Because the housing stock is fixed, how often homes change hands says more.
Latest census count
The official benchmark is the decennial census, which recorded 31,625 residents on April 1, 2020. That is the federal baseline for official reporting. Every figure published since is an estimate, not a complete headcount.
Recent population trends and housing targets
The Census Bureau's July 1, 2024 estimate of 30,864 is about 761 residents below the 2020 count.
The state has asked Los Altos to plan for new homes by 2031 through its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) target. A housing target is a zoning plan, not homes under construction, so competition for existing houses is unlikely to ease quickly. The city's annual Housing Element progress report shows what has been permitted.
Housing units and density
The 2020 Census counted 11,783 total housing units on 6.54 square miles of land area, roughly 4,835 people per square mile. That low density reflects a city built mostly around detached houses on larger lots. Density is a citywide average, though, and lot sizes vary considerably across Los Altos neighborhoods.
How often homes sell in Los Altos
Buyers purchased 76 homes of all types in Los Altos during the 90 days ending September 30, 2026. The pace splits sharply by property type: you compete for a house, but you can negotiate on a condo.
Single-family homes
Detached houses went under contract in a median of 8 days and sold for 108% of the asking price. You have days, not weeks, to tour, inspect and decide, and you should expect to pay over asking.
If you want a detached house inside Los Altos city limits, have an over-list offer plan ready before you tour. That pace leaves little room for contingencies or a slow inspection. Ask the listing agent whether the seller has a pre-listing inspection and disclosure package available.
Condos
Condos are a small, slower segment. The 12 condos that sold in the same window sat for a median 69 days and closed at 98% of list price. That gives you time to inspect and room to negotiate on price or terms.
Twelve sales is a thin sample, and condo prices swing with which units happen to sell. Monthly HOA dues also add to the carrying cost. For any condo, ask the HOA for current monthly dues, the latest reserve study and any planned special assessments.
Home sales compared with the total housing stock
For illustration only: if the pace of 76 sales in 90 days held steady, Los Altos would see roughly 300 sales a year. Against the city's housing units, that means about one home in 39 sells in a given year. A city this size produces only a few homes a month that fit a specific search, so set alerts and be ready to act.
The window covers summer and early fall, so annualizing it likely overstates winter activity. Treat the result as a rough sense of scale, not a prediction.
Los Altos vs Los Altos Hills population
The City of Los Altos and the Town of Los Altos Hills are separate incorporated municipalities. Each has its own population count and its own local government. Los Altos Hills had a 2020 Census count of 8,489 residents.
The town requires much larger lots. Under its municipal code, no parcel may have a net area under one acre (43,560 square feet).
A Los Altos mailing address does not confirm a property is inside City of Los Altos limits. The Santa Clara County Assessor parcel lookup shows whether an address falls in the City of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills or unincorporated county land. If land matters more than a city address, the comparison of Los Altos vs Los Altos Hills sets out how lot sizes and housing differ.
How to use these numbers
First, decide whether you need a detached house or whether a condo would work. If you need a house, read 'Single-family homes' and plan an over-list offer strategy. If a condo would work, read 'Condos', where the slower pace gives you time and room to negotiate.
Next, decide whether the address must be inside Los Altos city limits or whether lot size is the bigger priority. If land matters more, read 'Los Altos vs Los Altos Hills population'.
Finally, if you need a figure to cite, choose between the official decennial count and the most current estimate. 'Where to find official Los Altos population data' explains which source gives which.
If you need help comparing current house and condo listings, reach out. I can help you review the available inventory.
Where to find official Los Altos population data
Several government agencies track the local population, and they don't always agree. When citing a figure, note its source and vintage: the 2020 Census, a Census Bureau estimate year or a DOF January 1 estimate.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts
QuickFacts gives the federal numbers: the 2020 count, the annual estimate, housing units, owner-occupied rate and land area. It is also the place to look for age and household detail.
Many QuickFacts rows come from American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, which average several years. Because ACS data come from a sample, every estimate carries a margin of error based on a 90 percent confidence level. That margin matters more for a small city.
California Department of Finance estimates
The California Department of Finance (DOF) January 1 city estimates (Report E-1) are the figures the state uses for planning and funding. They are often more current than the Census Bureau's estimates. DOF uses different methods from the Census Bureau and revises prior years, so the two rarely match exactly.
Bay Area Census
The regional Bay Area Census site repackages decennial census tables for Los Altos alongside neighboring cities, which is useful for side-by-side comparisons. It does not reflect changes since the April 2020 count.
Related guides: Where Is.
At a glance
All homes, median sale price: $4,617,801, up 12% year over year (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
All homes, sales: 76 sold, median 9 days on market, 106.3% sale-to-list, 60% sold above list (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
All homes, supply: 39 listings, 1.6 months of supply, median $1,970 per sq ft (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Single-family, price: median sale price $4,906,044, up 7% year over year; median $2,152 per sq ft (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Single-family, sales and supply: 60 sold, 69.5% sold above list, 25 listings, 1.3 months of supply (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Condo, price: median sale price $1,549,841, down 46.5% year over year. Based on only 12 condo sales, so the drop likely reflects which units sold rather than a market-wide fall (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Condo, sales and supply: median $1,155 per sq ft, 16.6% sold above list, 13 listings, 3.1 months of supply (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Los Altos, CA population FAQs
What is the cost of living in Los Altos, California?
Housing is the biggest cost. The all-homes median sale price was $4,617,801, or $1,970 per square foot, over the 90 days ending September 30, 2026.
What is the Los Altos, CA population in 2025?
The California Department of Finance estimates the city's population at 31,972 as of January 1, 2025. This may differ slightly from the Census Bureau estimate used for federal reporting.
Is Los Altos safe?
Check the Los Altos Police Department's annual crime statistics for the most recent full year, and compare reported incidents per 1,000 residents using the census count.
What county is Los Altos, CA in?
Los Altos is in Santa Clara County. The city was incorporated in December 1952.
What is the ZIP code for Los Altos, CA?
ZIP codes 94022 and 94024 serve the City of Los Altos, CA, along with the PO Box-only ZIP 94023. These ZIPs also cover parts of Los Altos Hills and unincorporated land.
Why is Los Altos so expensive?
The city has a small, fixed stock of detached houses meeting steady demand. Single-family homes sold for a median $2,152 per square foot with only 1.3 months of supply during the 90 days ending September 30, 2026.
Is Los Altos Hills a city?
No. It is a separate incorporated town, incorporated on January 27, 1956.
Why is Los Altos called Los Altos?
The Altos Land Co., formed in 1906, named the town "Los Altos" (Spanish for "the heights"). The land was the highest point on the planned rail cutoff between Mayfield and Los Gatos.
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