Palo Alto, CA Demographics

A map of Palo Alto's Population by Race

Palo Alto, California has an estimated population of 67,237, a slight decrease from the 68,572 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.0% White, 38.1% Asian, 7.9% Hispanic, 6.5% Multiracial, 1.8% Black, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Palo Alto, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Palo Alto has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Palo Alto, that probability was 63.0% in 2020 and 64.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Palo Alto is ranked the 137th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Palo Alto was ranked the 135th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Palo Alto's White Population

30,262 residents of Palo Alto, or 45.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Palo Alto is considerably higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Palo Alto ranks 959th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palo Alto's White population has declined by an estimated 9.0%. White residents' share of Palo Alto's population has decreased from 48.5% to 45.0%.

Palo Alto is more White than neighboring Stanford (43.8% White). Palo Alto is less White than neighboring Los Altos Hills (47.2% White), Los Altos (49.5% White), Ladera (83.1% White), and Loyola (55% White).

Palo Alto's Black Population

1,201 residents of Palo Alto, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Palo Alto is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Palo Alto ranks 497th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palo Alto's Black population has grown by an estimated 2.6%. Black residents' share of Palo Alto's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Palo Alto is more Black than neighboring Los Altos Hills (0.3% Black), Los Altos (0.1% Black), Ladera (0% Black), and Loyola (1.1% Black). Palo Alto is less Black than neighboring Stanford (3.9% Black).

Palo Alto's Asian Population

25,620 residents of Palo Alto, or 38.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Palo Alto is significantly higher than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Palo Alto ranks 54th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palo Alto's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.7%. Asian residents' share of Palo Alto's population has increased from 35.4% to 38.1%.

Palo Alto is more Asian than neighboring Stanford (28.3% Asian), Ladera (7.1% Asian), and Loyola (35.9% Asian). Palo Alto is less Asian than neighboring Los Altos Hills (40.9% Asian), and Los Altos (38.9% Asian).

Palo Alto's Hispanic Population

5,280 residents of Palo Alto, or 7.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Palo Alto is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Palo Alto ranks 1412th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palo Alto's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Palo Alto's population has increased from 7.4% to 7.9%.

Palo Alto is more Hispanic than neighboring Los Altos Hills (4.1% Hispanic), Los Altos (6.1% Hispanic), Ladera (1.5% Hispanic), and Loyola (3.1% Hispanic). Palo Alto is less Hispanic than neighboring Stanford (15.6% Hispanic).

Palo Alto's Native American/Other Population

488 residents of Palo Alto, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Palo Alto is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Palo Alto ranks 1023rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palo Alto's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 28.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Palo Alto's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Palo Alto is more Native American/Other than neighboring Ladera (0% Native American/Other), and Loyola (0.2% Native American/Other). Palo Alto is less Native American/Other than neighboring Los Altos Hills (3% Native American/Other), Stanford (1.3% Native American/Other), and Los Altos (1% Native American/Other).

Palo Alto's Multiracial Population

4,386 residents of Palo Alto, or 6.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Palo Alto is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Palo Alto ranks 461st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palo Alto's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Palo Alto's population has increased from 6.0% to 6.5%.

Palo Alto is more Multiracial than neighboring Los Altos Hills (4.4% Multiracial), Los Altos (4.4% Multiracial), and Loyola (4.7% Multiracial). Palo Alto is less Multiracial than neighboring Stanford (7.1% Multiracial), and Ladera (8.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.