San Francisco Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area, referred to locally as The Bay Area, is the conurbation that surrounds San Francisco Bay in northern California. Home to more than 7 million people, the metropolitan area is composed of cities, towns, villages, military bases, airports, and regional, state, and national parks sprawled over nine counties, connected by a massive network of roads, highways, rail, and commuter rail.

The wealthiest region in the nation

The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the wealthiest regions in the United States.

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According to the United States Census Bureau, of the 280 defined metropolitan areas, the San Francisco Bay Area has the highest median household income in the nation with $62,024. Washington-Baltimore Metro, Anchorage (Alaska), Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities), and Greater Boston make up the rest of the top 5.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Metropolitan areas - Highest median household income in the nation - Washington-Baltimore Metro - Anchorage - Minneapolis-St. Paul - Greater Boston

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Six of the top ten California places with the highest per capita income are in the San Francisco Bay Area:

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• 1. Belvedere, California $113,595
• 3. Atherton, California $112,408
• 5. Woodside, California $104,667
• 6. Portola Valley, California $99,621
• 8. Hillsborough, California $98,643
• 9. Diablo, California $95,419

Of the 100 highest income counties by per capita income in the United States, (richest counties),

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six are in the San Francisco Bay Area:

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• 1. Marin County, California $44,962
• 14. San Mateo County, California $36,045
• 19. San Francisco County, California $34,556
• 25. Santa Clara County, California $32,795
• 45. Contra Costa County, California $30,615
• 96. Alameda County, California $26,680

Of the top highest income counties by personal per capita income,

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five San Francisco Bay Area Counties made the top 50:

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• 3. Marin County, California $67,710
• 7. San Mateo County, California $58,913
• 10. San Francisco County, California $55,735
• 12. Santa Clara County, California $54,188
• 32. Contra Costa County, California $44,484

Of the top 100 highest income counties by median household income, eight California Counties made the list, and half of those are in the San Francisco Bay Area:

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• 9. Santa Clara County, California $74,335
• 14. Marin County, California $71,306
• 18. San Mateo County, California $70,819
• 45. Contra Costa County, California $63,675

According to Forbes Magazine, published in 2005, 29 out of the top 50 most expensive Zip Codes are located in California, of which 12 are in the Bay Area. The dollar figures are denoted by median home sale price in 2004:

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• 1. 94027 Atherton, CA $2,496,553
• 6. 94957 Ross, CA $1,910,263
• 18. 94528 Diablo, CA $1,452,500
• 19. 94920 Belvedere Tiburon, CA $1,421,336
• 20. 94022 Los Altos, CA $1,392,522
• 23. 94946 Nicasio, CA $1,370,000
• 27. 94028 Portola Valley, CA $1,316,417
• 29. 94024 Los Altos, CA $1,306,432
• 31. 95030 Los Gatos, CA $1,278,645
• 37. 94123 San Francisco, CA $1,183,307
• 40. 94010 San Francisco, CA $1,152,066