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Santa Clara, CA


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Santa Clara, California

Introduction to Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara was given its name from the Mission Santa Clara de Asis, one of the many missions that the Spanish created during their rule in California. Although the mission was founded in 1777, the city was not officially incorporated until 1852, about two years after California received statehood. The city is part of the San Jose metropolitan area which is contiguous with the San Francisco metropolitan area, making Santa Clara a component of one of the most heavily populated areas in the United States.

Santa Clara is located in the center of the Silicon Valley, northwest of San Jose, and fifty minutes southeast of San Francisco. The city is a past winner of the National Civic League's coveted "All-America City Award". In addition, the community is home to five Fortune 1000 business headquarters. Some of the technology companies that call Santa Clara home include Intel and Sun Microsystems. Many other major high tech companies are located in surrounding Silicon Valley communities.

Santa Clara is convenient to freeways including the 101, 280, 880 and more. Santa Clara is also only ten minutes away from San Jose International Airport (SJC).

Santa Clara Arts and Entertainment

Santa Clara and surrounding communities possess many entertainment sources. Some of the most popular include:

  • Paramount’s Great Adventure, amusement park
  • The Triton Museum of Art
  • The Intel Museum
  • The Leavey Center
  • The Santa Clara Convention Center
  • The de Saisset Museum
  • The world champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps

In addition, the city is only a short drive away from the many other attractions in the communities of the Silicon Valley as well as San Francisco to the North.

Santa Clara also offers entertainment for sports lovers. In fact, the headquarters and practice facilities for the San Francisco 49ers are in Santa Clara. Other nearby professional sports teams include the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and the MLB’s San Francisco Giants. Santa Clara and nearby communities are also home to many amateur sports facilities. These include the Santa Clara Sporting Club, Fairbrae Swim & Tennis Club, and Los Gatos Swim & Racquet Club. Santa Clara is also home to thirty-eight municipal parks and playgrounds, and the championship Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club.

High Points

Santa Clara strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

CategoryTrophy
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. Peers)
Top 4%trophySanta Clara Well-Paid Single Men
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)
Top 8%Santa Clara Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. Peers)
Top 9%Santa Clara Well-Paid Single Women
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 10%Santa Clara Walking and Biking to Work
Median Family Income
(vs. Peers)
Top 14%Santa Clara Median Family Income
College Educated Adults
(vs. Peers)
Top 16%Santa Clara College Educated Adults

Comparative Profile of Santa Clara, CA

Comparing Santa Clara to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Well-Paid Single Men109
Male Share of the Population109
Racial Diversity109
Well-Paid Single Women109
Children Under 5 Years Old55
Senior Citizens45
Age of the Population45
Female Share of the Population12

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size64
Portion of People Married53

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Median Family Income99
College Educated Adults99
People in Middle Class or Better88
People Above Poverty67

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work109
Public Transportation Use77
Short Commute Times78
Working at Home53

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals109
Seasonal and Vacation Housing87
Affordability of Property Taxes65
People Living Alone57
Housing Recently Built54
Affordability of Rents11

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime78
Low Property Crime76

Detailed pages on related topics: Santa Clara collegesSanta Clara travelSanta Clara mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

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