Published county profile · Official data · FIPS 06085

Santa Clara County, California

County-level income, housing, jobs, education, health, and population with transparent statewide comparisons and source periods.

Population1,902,047
Household income$164,281
Unemployment4.1%
Life expectancy83.8 years

County overview

Living metrics at a glance

Santa Clara County has 1,902,047 residents and ranks #6 by population among California county equivalents. Median household income is $164,281. The annual-average unemployment rate is 4.1%. Its clearest relative strength is median household income. Its county population is above the state county median. Every figure below stays at county scope.

Within California

County population range

The marker places this county between the smallest and largest county populations in the state.

State rank#6 of 58
Smallest county1,902,047 residentsLos Angeles County

Relocation guide

Moving to Santa Clara County: what to check

Data narrows the search; municipality, neighborhood, commute, schools, and current listings complete the decision.

Before moving

Before moving, compare municipalities inside Santa Clara County, because county averages do not describe every neighborhood. Review current housing inventory, commute destinations, school districts, healthcare access, and job locations. Its clearest relative strength is median household income.

Cost and housing

Housing benchmarks are $1,490,600 median home value and $2,857/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $164,281, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

Who it may suit

Santa Clara County may be worth a closer look for movers prioritizing median household income, uninsured, and bachelor’s degree or higher. College attainment is 56.5% and life expectancy is 83.8 years.

Potential advantages

  • Median household income: $164,281, rank #1 of 58 available California counties.
  • Uninsured: 4.1%, rank #2 of 58 available California counties.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 56.5%, rank #3 of 58 available California counties.

Trade-offs to check

  • Median gross rent: $2,857/mo, rank #55 of 56; investigate local variation before moving.
  • Median home value: $1,490,600, rank #56 of 58; investigate local variation before moving.
  • Mental health access: 1 per 221 residents, rank #26 of 58; investigate local variation before moving.

Income, housing, jobs, education & health

County metrics within California

Rank and range use only counties in California with that field available. A lower rank number is stronger when the metric has a clear direction.

Median household income $164,281

$164,281; above the state county median of $83,473.

State rank #1 of 58 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Median home value $1,490,600

$1,490,600; above the state county median of $481,100.

State rank #56 of 58 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Median gross rent $2,857/mo

$2,857/mo; above the state county median of $1,624/mo.

State rank #55 of 56 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Unemployment rate 4.1%

4.1%; below the state county median of 5.5%.

State rank #6 of 58 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Bachelor’s degree or higher 56.5%

56.5%; above the state county median of 25.7%.

State rank #3 of 58 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Life expectancy 83.8 years

83.8 years; above the state county median of 78.2 years.

State rank #4 of 57 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Poor or fair health 14.8%

14.8%; below the state county median of 18.4%.

State rank #7 of 58 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Uninsured 4.1%

4.1%; below the state county median of 7.3%.

State rank #2 of 58 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Primary care access 1 per 935 residents

1 per 935 residents; below the state county median of 1 per 1,459 residents.

State rank #8 of 57 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Mental health access 1 per 221 residents

1 per 221 residents; below the state county median of 1 per 247 residents.

State rank #26 of 58 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Common questions

Santa Clara County FAQ

Is Santa Clara County a good place to live?

Santa Clara County may be worth a closer look for movers prioritizing median household income, uninsured, and bachelor’s degree or higher. College attainment is 56.5% and life expectancy is 83.8 years.

What should I know before moving to Santa Clara County?

Start with housing, employment, commute, schools, healthcare access, and the specific municipality. Housing benchmarks are $1,490,600 median home value and $2,857/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $164,281, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

What is the population of Santa Clara County?

Santa Clara County has 1,902,047 residents in the 2020–2024 ACS 5-year dataset.

What is the FIPS code for Santa Clara County?

The five-digit county FIPS code is 06085; the parent state FIPS is 06.

What is the median household income in Santa Clara County?

The ACS median household income is $164,281.

How much does housing cost in Santa Clara County?

Housing benchmarks are $1,490,600 median home value and $2,857/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $164,281, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

What is the unemployment rate in Santa Clara County?

The BLS LAUS annual-average unemployment rate is 4.1%.

Similar population

Nearby counties in the state ranking

Source and gate

Methodology and source periods

All records join by five-digit FIPS. Profiles publish when ACS county population is at least 100,000 or the county is the state’s largest. Missing source values remain unavailable and are excluded from ranks. Runtime data was generated 2026-07-26.

Continue exploring

See the state context