RANK #930 / 996 · POP 754,250 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.3%
Redwood City, the county seat, boasts the slogan "Climate Best by Government Test" due to its 255 sunny days per year. San Mateo County sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. It is approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco and north of San Jose, with commute options including Caltrain, BART, SamTrans buses, and various shuttle services. The community offers a blend of urban and suburban environments, with significant rural and coastal areas. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with nearly three-quarters of the county designated as open space. Residents can explore redwood forests, coastal trails, and tide pools at places like Crystal Springs Regional Trail, Coyote Point Recreation Area, and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
Life in the county is shaped by its proximity to Silicon Valley and a diverse economy. Many families reside here, with 23 public school districts and three community colleges serving the area. The economy is stable, with ongoing investments in sectors like biotechnology and artificial intelligence. Recent initiatives aim to support local businesses and help residents, including recent graduates, find employment through wage subsidies. The county also sees continuous investment in commercial and residential development, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Speculative pricing
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
SamTrans 10-Year Capital Program
San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans)
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Hillsdale Shopping Center Redevelopment
Undisclosed
|
$500M | Planned |
|
San Mateo Residential Developments (Multiple Projects)
Various Developers (e.g., Pulte Homes, KEMS Real Estate Development, SDG Architects, Terra Holdings Corp.)
|
$300M | Proposed/Under Construction |
|
Wright Solar Project
Centaurus Renewable Energy LLC (power purchased by Peninsula Clean Energy)
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Cordilleras Mental Health Facility
San Mateo County Joint Powers Financing Authority (JPFA)
|
$155M | Completed |
|
Gonzaga Ridge Wind Farm (repowering)
Scout Clean Energy and Peninsula Clean Energy
|
$148M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
San Mateo County has a Boom Town Index score of 7/100, ranking #930 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.0% and a median household income of $149,907, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in San Mateo County is $1,441,300 with median rent at $2,805/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.104, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.0%. Home values changed +0.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.97% of San Mateo County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.