Palo Alto, CA Demographics

A map of Palo Alto's Population by Race

Palo Alto, California had a population of 68,572 in 2020. It was 48.5% White, 1.7% Black, 35.4% Asian, 7.4% Hispanic, 1.0% Native American/Other, and 6.0% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Palo Alto, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Of the 1,611 places in California, Palo Alto is the 135th most populous. 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's White Population

33,243 residents of Palo Alto identify as White, or 48.5%. This makes the White share of the population of Palo Alto larger than the White share of the population of California (34.7% White). Of the 1,611 places in California, Palo Alto is ranked #957 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Palo Alto is less White than neighboring Los Altos Hills (55.8% White), Stanford (49.6% White), Los Altos (52.6% White), Ladera (73.5% White), and Loyola (57.3% White).

Palo Alto's Black Population

1,170 residents of Palo Alto identify as Black, or 1.7%. This makes the Black share of the population of Palo Alto roughly similar to the Black share of the population of California (5.4% Black). Of the 1,611 places in California, Palo Alto is ranked #490 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Palo Alto is more Black than neighboring Los Altos Hills (0.3% Black), Los Altos (0.6% Black), Ladera (0.3% Black), and Loyola (0.5% Black). Palo Alto is less Black than neighboring Stanford (5% Black).

Palo Alto's Asian Population

24,246 residents of Palo Alto identify as Asian, or 35.4%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Palo Alto considerably larger than the Asian share of the population of California (15.1% Asian). Of the 1,611 places in California, Palo Alto is ranked #54 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Palo Alto is more Asian than neighboring Los Altos Hills (33.7% Asian), Stanford (24.6% Asian), Los Altos (35.2% Asian), Ladera (10.5% Asian), and Loyola (31.8% Asian).

Palo Alto's Hispanic Population

5,091 residents of Palo Alto identify as Hispanic, or 7.4%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Palo Alto considerably less than the Hispanic share of the population of California (39.4% Hispanic). Of the 1,611 places in California, Palo Alto is ranked #1411 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Palo Alto is more Hispanic than neighboring Los Altos Hills (3.9% Hispanic), Los Altos (4.9% Hispanic), Ladera (6.7% Hispanic), and Loyola (3.7% Hispanic). Palo Alto is less Hispanic than neighboring Stanford (11.6% Hispanic).

Palo Alto's Native American/Other Population

686 residents of Palo Alto identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.0%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Palo Alto roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of California (1.3% Native American/Other). Of the 1,611 places in California, Palo Alto is ranked #965 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Palo Alto is more Native American/Other than neighboring Los Altos Hills (0.9% Native American/Other), Los Altos (0.8% Native American/Other), Ladera (0.3% Native American/Other), and Loyola (0.9% Native American/Other). Palo Alto is less Native American/Other than neighboring Stanford (2.2% Native American/Other).

Palo Alto's Multiracial Population

4,136 residents of Palo Alto identify as Multiracial, or 6.0%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Palo Alto roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of California (4.1% Multiracial). Of the 1,611 places in California, Palo Alto is ranked #456 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Palo Alto is more Multiracial than neighboring Los Altos Hills (5.5% Multiracial), and Loyola (5.8% Multiracial). Palo Alto is less Multiracial than neighboring Stanford (7% Multiracial), and Ladera (8.8% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.