RANK #807 / 996 · POP 1,162,648 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Mount Diablo, a 3,849-foot peak, is a prominent landmark in Contra Costa County, California, offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area. Located in the East Bay, the county is approximately 30 minutes from Oakland and 45 minutes from San Francisco, with commute options including BART, carpooling, and ferry services. The region boasts a Mediterranean climate and extensive natural amenities, including over 1,200 miles of hiking and biking trails, numerous parks, and access to the San Joaquin River Delta for water activities. Notable towns like Walnut Creek offer upscale dining and shopping, while Lafayette provides a quieter charm.
Life in Contra Costa County often involves a suburban feel, attracting families and professionals. The county's public schools are highly rated, with districts like San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Acalanes Union High School District recognized for academic excellence. The economy, while experiencing modest growth, is largely driven by service sectors such as education and healthcare. Major investment is also flowing into commercial and residential developments, data centers, and industrial and logistics sectors, particularly along the Northern Waterfront. The county is also working to diversify its economy beyond its historical reliance on the petroleum industry.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 11.9x — home prices are high 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Perseus Data Center (Pittsburg Technology Park)
Avaio Digital Partners
|
$800M | Planned |
|
Delilah Energy Storage
Unknown
|
$504M | Planned |
|
Bridgehead Industrial Project (Warehouse & Logistics)
Unknown
|
$150M | Approved |
|
Bayview Residential Project
Unknown
|
$75M | Proposed |
|
Phillips 66 Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex Solar Project
Phillips 66
|
$60M | Planned |
|
Keller Canyon Renewable Natural Gas Plant
Ameresco, Republic Services, PG&E
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Contra Costa County has a Boom Town Index score of 19/100, ranking #807 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $120,020, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Contra Costa County is $787,300 with median rent at $2,234/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1524, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed -4.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.85% of Contra Costa County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.