RANK #524 / 996 · POP 1,916,831 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.6%
Often called the "Valley of Heart's Delight" for its past as a major fruit-producing region, Santa Clara County sits at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. San Jose, the county seat, is California's third-largest city. Commute options include major freeways like US-101 and I-280, along with Caltrain and Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail and buses. The county boasts a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters, contributing to its appeal for outdoor activities. Residents can access 28 regional parks, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. Notable natural areas include Castle Rock State Park with its panoramic views and Alviso Marina County Park for birdwatching.
Santa Clara County offers a diverse community with over 100 languages spoken. The public school system includes 31 districts, with many schools recognized for their quality. The economy is driven by its position as a global hub for technology and innovation, home to numerous high-tech companies. This economic activity fuels ongoing investment in commercial and residential development, as well as infrastructure related to data centers and energy. The county government is also a significant employer.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Speculative pricing
Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Santa Clara Valley Water District Capital Improvement Program
Santa Clara Valley Water District
|
$10,390M | Planned |
|
Tasman East Specific Plan
Multiple Developers (e.g., Ensemble Investments, Related California, Summerhill Apartment Communities)
|
$2,000M | Under Construction |
|
Vantage Data Centers Santa Clara I Campus Expansion
Vantage Data Centers
|
$770M | Operating |
|
CoreSite SV9 Data Center
CoreSite
|
$500M | Completed |
|
Tokay Storage Battery Energy Storage System
Undisclosed
|
$102M | Planned |
|
Kifer Energy Storage LLC (50 MW BESS)
Ameresco Inc.
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Santa Clara County has a Boom Town Index score of 47/100, ranking #524 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $153,792, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Santa Clara County is $1,316,800 with median rent at $2,719/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1168, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed -1.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.44% of Santa Clara County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.