West Menlo Park, California
Encyclopedia
West Menlo Park is a census-designated place
and an unincorporated area
in San Mateo County, California
, located
between the majority of City of Menlo Park
, the Town of Atherton
, the Sharon Heights neighborhood of Menlo Park and Stanford University
(in Santa Clara County
). As of the 2010 census, the community had a population of 3,659.
The area consists of suburban housing and a small business district along Alameda de las Pulgas, often just referred to as "the Alameda" (literally, "Avenue of the Fleas": in Spanish "Alameda" means a row of trees or a street lined with trees, which extends the length of the Pulgas family land grant—whose name means "fleas"). It is served by the highly rated Las Lomitas School District and Menlo Park Fire District. More recently, West Menlo Park has gained a reputation as one of the most desirable places to live in North America. A notable newspaper recently ranked West Menlo Park #4 on its "top residential areas in California" article.
, the CDP has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. West Menlo Park has a mild climate.
was 7,526.9 people per square mile (2,906.2/km²). The racial makeup of West Menlo Park was 2,983 (81.5%) White, 28 (0.8%) African American, 2 (0.1%) Native American, 416 (11.4%) Asian, 4 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 52 (1.4%) from other races
, and 174 (4.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 201 persons (5.5%).
The Census reported that 3,650 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 5 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 4 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 1,356 households, out of which 574 (42.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 830 (61.2%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 98 (7.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 42 (3.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 61 (4.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 11 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 292 households (21.5%) were made up of individuals and 122 (9.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69. There were 970 families
(71.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.17.
The population was spread out with 1,069 people (29.2%) under the age of 18, 101 people (2.8%) aged 18 to 24, 998 people (27.3%) aged 25 to 44, 1,004 people (27.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 487 people (13.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
There were 1,422 housing units at an average density of 2,925.2 per square mile (1,129.4/km²), of which 1,091 (80.5%) were owner-occupied, and 265 (19.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%. 2,999 people (82.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 651 people (17.8%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 3,629 people, 1,420 households, and 955 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 7,299.8 people per square mile (2,802.3/km²). There were 1,451 housing units at an average density of 2,918.7 per square mile (1,120.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP in 2010 was 77.6% non-Hispanic White, 0.7% non-Hispanic African American, 0.1% Native American, 11.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races
, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.5% of the population.
There were 1,420 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $125,881, and the median income for a family was $145,946. Males had a median income of $100,000+ versus $70,486 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $62,302. 2.9% of the population and 0.4% of families were below the poverty line. 0.3% of those under the age of 18
and 4.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
, Woodside
, Atherton and Hillsborough
also have a higher average annual income than much of the surrounding areas. By some estimates, the Silicon Valley area, of which all the aforementioned are a part, is one of the wealthiest places in the world.
West Menlo Park is located in the 11th Senate
District, represented by Democrat
Joe Simitian
, and in the 21st Assembly
District, represented by Democrat Rich Gordon
. Federally, West Menlo Park is located in California's 14th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of D +18 and is represented by Democrat Anna Eshoo
.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County is a county located in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. It covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula just south of San Francisco, and north of Santa Clara County. San Francisco International Airport is located at the northern end of the county, and...
, located
between the majority of City of Menlo Park
Menlo Park, California
Menlo Park, California is a city at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, in the United States. It is bordered by San Francisco Bay on the north and east; East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and Stanford to the south; Atherton, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City...
, the Town of Atherton
Atherton, California
Atherton is an incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, United States. Its population was 6,914 at the 2010 census. In September 2010, Forbes magazine placed Atherton's zip code of 94027 at #2 on its annual list of America's most expensive zip codes, with a median home price of $4,010,200...
, the Sharon Heights neighborhood of Menlo Park and Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
(in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County, California
Santa Clara County is a county located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 it had a population of 1,781,642. The county seat is San Jose. The highly urbanized Santa Clara Valley within Santa Clara County is also known as Silicon Valley...
). As of the 2010 census, the community had a population of 3,659.
The area consists of suburban housing and a small business district along Alameda de las Pulgas, often just referred to as "the Alameda" (literally, "Avenue of the Fleas": in Spanish "Alameda" means a row of trees or a street lined with trees, which extends the length of the Pulgas family land grant—whose name means "fleas"). It is served by the highly rated Las Lomitas School District and Menlo Park Fire District. More recently, West Menlo Park has gained a reputation as one of the most desirable places to live in North America. A notable newspaper recently ranked West Menlo Park #4 on its "top residential areas in California" article.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. West Menlo Park has a mild climate.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that West Menlo Park had a population of 3,659. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 7,526.9 people per square mile (2,906.2/km²). The racial makeup of West Menlo Park was 2,983 (81.5%) White, 28 (0.8%) African American, 2 (0.1%) Native American, 416 (11.4%) Asian, 4 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 52 (1.4%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 174 (4.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 201 persons (5.5%).
The Census reported that 3,650 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 5 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 4 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 1,356 households, out of which 574 (42.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 830 (61.2%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 98 (7.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 42 (3.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 61 (4.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 11 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 292 households (21.5%) were made up of individuals and 122 (9.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69. There were 970 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(71.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.17.
The population was spread out with 1,069 people (29.2%) under the age of 18, 101 people (2.8%) aged 18 to 24, 998 people (27.3%) aged 25 to 44, 1,004 people (27.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 487 people (13.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
There were 1,422 housing units at an average density of 2,925.2 per square mile (1,129.4/km²), of which 1,091 (80.5%) were owner-occupied, and 265 (19.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%. 2,999 people (82.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 651 people (17.8%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,629 people, 1,420 households, and 955 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 7,299.8 people per square mile (2,802.3/km²). There were 1,451 housing units at an average density of 2,918.7 per square mile (1,120.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP in 2010 was 77.6% non-Hispanic White, 0.7% non-Hispanic African American, 0.1% Native American, 11.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.5% of the population.
There were 1,420 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $125,881, and the median income for a family was $145,946. Males had a median income of $100,000+ versus $70,486 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $62,302. 2.9% of the population and 0.4% of families were below the poverty line. 0.3% of those under the age of 18
and 4.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Similar Areas
This wealthy area is not the only one of its kind in the Bay Area. Los Altos HillsLos Altos Hills, California
Los Altos Hills is an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 7,922 at the 2010 census. Located in Silicon Valley, Los Altos Hills is one of the wealthiest cities in the nation.-Strictly residential:...
, Woodside
Woodside, California
Woodside is a small incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, United States, on the San Francisco Peninsula. It uses a council-manager system of government. The U.S. Census estimated the population of the town to be 5,287 in 2010....
, Atherton and Hillsborough
Hillsborough, California
Hillsborough is an incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hillsborough is one of the wealthiest communities in America and has the highest income of places in the United States with populations of at least 10,000...
also have a higher average annual income than much of the surrounding areas. By some estimates, the Silicon Valley area, of which all the aforementioned are a part, is one of the wealthiest places in the world.
Politics
The city is mostly Democratic, with 47% being registered Democrats and 32% Republicans. In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
West Menlo Park is located in the 11th Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Joe Simitian
Joe Simitian
Saren Joseph Simitian is a Democratic California State Senator elected in 2004. Simitian represents the 11th Senate District, which encompasses all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties....
, and in the 21st Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Democrat Rich Gordon
Rich Gordon
Richard S. Gordon is an American politician from Menlo Park, California who currently serves in the California State Assembly representing the 21st district...
. Federally, West Menlo Park is located in California's 14th congressional district
California's 14th congressional district
California's 14th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. It is located between San Francisco and San Jose. The district includes portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties and most notably contains part of Silicon Valley. Major cities in...
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of D +18 and is represented by Democrat Anna Eshoo
Anna Eshoo
Anna Georges Eshoo is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, which includes part of Silicon Valley, includes the cities of Redwood City, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto...
.