The County, with its diverse population (47% are non-white), high standard of living, and strong economic vitality has attracted people from all over the world. Its location provides residents with a suburban lifestyle, while providing close access to nature and the outdoors.

However, over the last few decades, the County of Santa Clara has been experiencing many changes to the number of people living in the county, the diversity of the population, and household characteristics. As the Valley continues to evolve and grow, it will have to find new and innovative ways to provide adequate housing, generate energy, conserve water, and provide adequate infrastructure. In addition, the County will need to continue to provide social support services for all of its residents young and old, native and foreign.

Population Growth
Between 1980 and 1990, the County of Santa Clara grew by 202,506 people. This growth represents a 16% increase in population. Similarly, between 1990 and 2000, the County grew by an additional 185,008, which accounts for a 12% change in population. It is predicted that the County's population will continue to grow, but at a slower rate. Moderate rates of growth in employment and housing development may account for this slow down in population growth. According to the Association of Bay Area Governments, by 2010, the County of Santa Clara's population is projected to increase by 197,115 people to 1,879,700. From 2010 to 2020, the County of Santa Clara's population is predicted to increase an additional 127,800 people to 2,007,500.

Household and Demographic Characteristics
As of 2000, there were 565,863 households in the County of Santa Clara. This is an 8% increase in the number of households from 1990. The number of people living in each household has also been increasing from 2.81 persons per household in 1990, to 2.92 in 2000. Homeowner vacancy rates since 1990 have dropped from 1.4% to 0.5% in 2000. Rental vacancy rates have similarly dropped from 4.5% in 1990 to 1.8% in 2000.

Race and Ethnicity Characteristics
The County of Santa Clara is made up of people from diverse cultures, nationalities, and racial groups. As of 2000, approximately 54% of the population was White, 26% Asian, 3% Black, 0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 17% of the population was of some other race or two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population consists of 24% of the total population.

Many people bring diverse cultures into the County of Santa Clara from places outside of the United States. In 2000, approximately 34% of the population in the County of Santa Clara was born outside of the United States.

For more information, please visit the County of Santa Clara Planning Office below.

• The County of Santa Clara Planning Office - Census 2000