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Alameda County, CA

RANK #834 / 996  ·  POP 1,663,823  ·  CA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.9%

Alameda County is losing people and economic momentum. This metro faces significant structural headwinds.

[01] Why Alameda County?

Alameda County, California, is often recognized for its diverse landscapes, stretching from the San Francisco Bay shoreline to rolling hills and vineyards. The city of Berkeley, home to the University of California, Berkeley, stands out for its academic environment and cultural scene. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, with over 350 parks, including Redwood Regional Park and Lake Del Valle Regional Park, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and water sports. Its mild Mediterranean climate allows for year-round enjoyment of these natural amenities. Commute options include BART, AC Transit buses, ACE Train, Amtrak, and ferry services connecting to San Francisco and other Bay Area locations.

Life in Alameda County offers a blend of urban and suburban experiences. The county is home to a diverse population, with various communities ranging from bustling Oakland to more suburban Pleasanton and Dublin. Families consider the local public and charter schools, such as Alameda High School and The Academy of Alameda, as important factors. The economy is influenced by its position in the Bay Area, with ongoing investment in sectors like advanced manufacturing and energy. The county also focuses on sustainable development and climate action initiatives.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
11.2x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.0%

Well below national median

Home Prices
-5.1%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
5.1

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
30x

Speculative pricing

Housing looks overvalued at 11.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Alameda County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
1,663,823
-0.56% YoY
Median Household Income
$122,488
Median Home Value
$999,200
-5.11% 12mo
Median Rent
$2,229
Average Annual Pay
$98,026
+3.5% YoY
Employment
790,358
-0.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.1226
Less affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.72%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$1,050,000
Days on Market
15
Very hot — homes selling fast
Months of Supply
2.5
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
106.1%
Homes selling above asking
Sold Above List
61.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.7%
Building Permits (2024)
1,743
Single-Family Permits
826

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,682M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System
Levy Alameda, LLC
$1,200M Proposed
Emerita Energy Storage
$206M Planned
Aramis Renewable Energy Project (Solar Farm)
Intersect Power
$100M Operating
Palmetto Energy Storage
$76M Planned
Arroyo Lago Residential Project
$50M Approved
Alameda Marina Project (Housing & Commercial)
$50M Proposed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.0% 18 percentile
Population Growth -0.6% 10 percentile
Income Growth +9.3% 70 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 30 percentile
Home Price Change -5.1% 2 percentile
Rent Growth +3.3% 56 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alameda County, CA a good place to move to?

Alameda County has a Boom Town Index score of 16/100, ranking #834 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $122,488, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Alameda County affordable?

The median home value in Alameda County is $999,200 with median rent at $2,229/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1226, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Alameda County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed -5.1% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Alameda County?

Yes — 3.72% of Alameda County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

San Bernardino County, CA 26 San Benito County, CA 26 Lancaster County, SC 26 Vermilion County, IL 26 Santa Fe County, NM 26 Queens County, NY 26 Sumner County, TN 26 Spokane County, WA 26