Stanford, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Stanford, California is 17,958 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 373rd-largest city in California. The median household income is $70,651, the median home value is $2,000,001, and the median age is 22.7.
17,958
Population
6530
People / sq mi
$70,651
Median Income
$2,000,001
Median Home Value
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Stanford covers 2.8 sq mi of land at 6530 people per square mile.
About Stanford, CA
Stanford is defined demographically by education — 91.1% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national average. Stanford is a city in California with a population of 17,958.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $70,651 — below the US median of $78,538. About 7.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $2,000,001, with typical rent around $1,925.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US cities — 91.1% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 21.4%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Stanford usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 50.3% |
| Black or African American | 4.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$70,651
Median Household Income
$42,003
Per Capita Income
7.0%
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$2,000,001
Median Home Value
$1,925
Median Rent
25.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
98.2%
High School+
91.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
2.8%
Drive Alone
18.5%
Public Transit
21.4%
Work From Home
15.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
32.2%
Foreign Born
61.1%
Non-English at Home
0.7%
Veterans
6.7%
With Disability
98.0%
Health Insurance
99.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 60.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 12.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.3% |
| Manufacturing | 2.4% |
| Public Administration | 2.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.5% |
| Information | 1.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 1.4% |
| Retail Trade | 0.7% |
| Construction | 0.7% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Stanford, California has a population of 17,958 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 373rd-largest city in California.
The median household income in Stanford, California is $70,651, with 7.0% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Stanford, California is $2,000,001, with median monthly rent at $1,925 and a homeownership rate of 25.5%.
The median age in Stanford, California is 22.7 years. The population is 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
Where to stay in Stanford
Visiting or relocating to Stanford, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.