The Bay Area is bustling! The San Francisco Bay Area is a sprawling metropolis with nine counties, each with its own major cities, attractions, culture, and real estate opportunities. The Bay Area is an incredible place to live, yet it can be hard to find the right place for you.
An easy way to narrow your options is to compare Bay Area counties to each other. Look at what each county has to offer, find one that appeals to you, and then look at its most important cities and towns. You can also examine census-designated places and unincorporated communities that can offer affordable real estate and convenient access to attractions.
There’s a lot to learn about counties in the Bay Area – and if you’re planning a move, working with experienced Bay Area movers can make the transition smooth and stress-free. Here’s your comprehensive guide!
The Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area consists of nine counties bordering San Francisco Bay and its estuaries. It gets its name from the bay, which covers 400-1,600 square miles. The area is synonymous with the San Francisco metro area. It’s in central California along California’s coast with the Pacific Ocean.
Definitions of counties in the Bay Area vary depending on who you talk to. Some locals include additional counties along the Central Coast and Central Valley. However, nearly all locals include the nine core counties bordering San Francisco Bay. Nearly all locals also divide the area into a few major sections based on geography. The North Bay area is north of the bay, the East Bay area is east of the bay, and the South Bay area is south of the bay.
Human settlements first formed in the Bay Area at least 8,000 years ago. The Ohlone and Miwok peoples were the first to live in the area. Spanish settlers arrived in the area in 1769, and the Mexican government took control of the territory in 1821. The American government then took over the area in 1848, and the area soon expanded during the California Gold Rush. The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 destroyed nearly all of San Francisco and most buildings in counties in Bay Area, but the area was rebuilt quickly.
The Bay Area is well-known for its progressive politics, thriving arts scenes, and diverse population. People move to counties in the Bay Area for many reasons. Some people move for school, attending top colleges and universities like Stanford University. Other people move for work. Fortune Magazine‘s list of the 100 best companies to work for includes 16 companies in the Bay Area, including Cisco, which was ranked first. You can also move to retire and enjoy incredible attractions like Pier 39, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Exploratorium.
Bay Area Demographics
- Bay Area population: 7,765,640
- Bay Area median age: 40.7
- Bay Area median household income: $128,151
- Median price of Bay Area homes for sale: $1,450,000
- Bay Area area: 6,966 square miles
- Bay Area density: 1,114.8 people per square mile
- Bay Area educational attainment: 89.2% of residents over 25 have graduated high school, 48.9% have a bachelor’s degree
Counties in the San Francisco Bay Area
There are nine core counties in the Bay Area. Here is a list of Bay Area counties, sorted in descending order of population.
#1. Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County is the largest Bay Area county in terms of population. The county is best known for being home to Silicon Valley, which contains over 6,000 technology companies. eBay, Apple, and Intel have their headquarters in Santa Clara County. It’s also the wealthiest county in the Bay Area because of Silicon Valley.
San Jose is the county seat in Santa Clara County. It’s the largest city in the Bay Area by population and land area. It’s also located in Silicon Valley, and most companies in the valley have offices or headquarters in the city limits. San Jose is well known for its Mediterranean climate, with warm and dry summers and mild winters, and its diverse population. San Jose contains one of the world’s largest populations of overseas Vietnamese, Japanese, and Portuguese people. San Jose is one of the most diverse San Francisco Bay Area counties.
- Santa Clara County population: 1,936,259
- Santa Clara County population growth: 8.7% increase from 2010 to 2020
- Santa Clara County area: 1,304 square miles
- Santa Clara County median age: 37.7
- Santa Clara County median household income: $150,839
- Median price of Santa Clara County homes for sale: $1,675,000
- Santa Clara County crime rate: 3,641.3 crimes per 100,000 people
- Santa Clara County map
Does Santa Clara County sound perfect for you? Contact the experienced team of Santa Clara movers at AMS Relocation today, and start a stress-free move to Santa Clara!
#2. Alameda County
Alameda County is on the eastern bank of the Bay Area, also known as the East Bay. Oakland, CA is the county seat for Alameda County, and it’s the most populous city in the East Bay. Oakland is home to the headquarters of the University of California, making it a good city for students and young professionals. Berkeley is another major city located in Alameda County. It is home to the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), which US News considers to be the best public university in the country and amongst San Francisco Bay Area counties.
Alameda County has one of the most expansive parks departments amongst the 9 Bay Area counties. You can visit over 300 different parks in Alameda County, each with unique features. Tilden Park covers over 2,000 acres and contains dog-friendly and horse-friendly trails. Vargas Plateau Regional Park contains nature habitats for frogs, snakes, and birds, making it a top destination for wildlife observation and photography.
- Alameda County population: 1,682,353
- Alameda County population growth: 11.4% increase
- Alameda County area: 821 square miles
- Alameda County median age: 38.4
- Alameda County median household income: $122,159
- Median price of Alameda County homes for sale: $1,210,000
- Alameda County crime rate: 7,025 crimes per 100,000 people
- Alameda County map
#3. Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County is also located in the East Bay. Unlike other Bay Area counties, Contra Costa County is more suburban than urban, with a family-friendly and quaint atmosphere. Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa, with a population of 129,295, less than one-fourth of Oakland or San Jose’s population. The Concord Jazz Festival is one of the largest musical festivals in the Bay Area. You can attend additional concerts and live musical performances at the Concord Pavilion.
However, Contra Costa County is largely free of major attractions and major cities. While this makes the county less vibrant than other counties in the Bay Area, it makes the county suitable for retirees or professionals who want a quiet home after work.
Contra Costa County is the safest county in the Bay Area. The county’s crime rate is roughly the national average, and your chances of experiencing crime are extremely low.
- Contra Costa County population: 1,165,927
- Contra Costa County population growth: 11.1% increase
- Contra Costa County area: 804 square miles
- Contra Costa County median age: 40.1 years
- Contra Costa County median household income: $120,061
- Median price of homes for sale Contra Costa County: $865,000
- Contra Costa County crime rate: 2,332 offenses per 100,000 people
- Contra Costa County map
#4. San Francisco County
San Francisco County is synonymous with the City of San Francisco. San Francisco is on the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, with the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. San Francisco is the cultural and commercial sector of Central California and the 9 Bay Area counties, with more attractions and businesses than any other location. You can visit landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Oracle Park.
Nearly half a million people have jobs in San Francisco, and San Francisco jobs are some of the highest-paying in the country. Professional services is the largest job sector in the city-county, and its median earnings are $266,711 a year. According to Payscale, San Francisco jobs have a median salary of $113,000 and an average hourly rate of $30.84.
San Francisco County is the densest county in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the entire United States outside of New York City. It has a density of 18,634.7 people per square mile of land, far higher than any other Bay Area counties. The city’s population has expanded every decade since 1980, so the density will likely remain high.
- San Francisco County population: 873,965
- San Francisco County population growth: 8.5% increase
- San Francisco County area: 232 square miles
- San Francisco County median age: 39.3
- San Francisco County median household income: $136,692
- Median price of San Francisco County homes for sale: $1,403,500
- San Francisco County crime rate: 4,938 offenses per 100,000 residents
- San Francisco County map
Are you interested in moving to San Francisco? Schedule an appointment with AMS Relocation, the best San Francisco movers in the moving industry!
#5. San Mateo County
San Mateo County is south of San Francisco County, taking up most of the San Francisco Peninsula. It’s popular amongst commuters with jobs in San Francisco and families with children who attend San Francisco schools. If you want convenient access to San Francisco but don’t want to live in the city limits, San Mateo County is your best choice.
Daly City, San Mateo, and Redwood City are the three most populous cities in San Mateo County. Daly City borders San Francisco directly to the south, but it’s a suburban community with only a few attractions. Daly City real estate is cheaper than San Francisco real estate; the median cost of Daly City homes for sale is $1,025,000. You have many options for single-family homes and condos, including in upscale neighborhoods like Westlake.
- San Mateo County population: 764,422
- San Mateo County population growth: 6.4% increase
- San Mateo County area: 744 square miles
- San Mateo County median age: 40.3 years
- San Mateo County median household income: $145,388
- Median price of homes for sale San Mateo County: $1,875,000
- San Mateo County crime rate: 2,630 offenses per 100,000 residents
- San Mateo County map
#6. Sonoma County
Sonoma County is the northernmost county in the Bay Area. It’s inside the North Bay area, and it has a long coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Most of the county contains undeveloped green spaces and protected nature preserves, making it the best Bay Area county for outdoor enthusiasts.
Sonoma County is in California’s Wine Country, and it’s the leading county for wine and beer production in the country. You can visit over 300 different wineries, as well as upscale restaurants and resorts, including Francis Ford Coppola Winery, more than any other counties in the Bay Area. Santa Rosa is the largest city in Sonoma County and the seat of government in the county. The city is in the Redwood Coast, bordering major nature preserves like Safari West and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
- Sonoma County population: 488,863
- Sonoma County population growth: 1.0% increase
- Sonoma County area: 1,768 square miles
- Sonoma County median age: 42.7 years
- Sonoma County median household income: $96,830
- Median price of Sonoma County homes for sale: $828,500
- Sonoma County crime rate: 2,988 offenses per 100,000 residents
- Sonoma County map
#7. Solano County
Where is Solano County? Solano County is in the eastern section of the North Bay, though it’s not in the East Bay. Solano County is one of the most diverse Bay Area counties. 29.1% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% identify as Asian, and 12.7% identify as Black or African American. 6.8% of Solano County residents identify as two or more races, more than 1.5 times the national average.
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County and the second-largest city in the North Bay. Vallejo was initially a shipping and naval hub, but the community has transformed into a top city for college students and families. It’s home to the California Maritime Academy, the only maritime academy on the East Coast. Families with young children can visit Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, which contains 40 attractions, including animal enclosures and rollercoasters. Vallejo is one of the most affordable places to live in the Bay Area. According to RentCafe, Vallejo apartments cost just $2,061 a month, lower than nearly all cities in the Bay Area.
- Solano County population: 453,491
- Solano County population growth: 9.7% increase
- Solano County area: 906 square miles
- Solano County median age: 38.8 years
- Solano County median household income: $92,959
- Median price of homes for sale Solano County: $576,500
- Solano County crime rate: 3,568 offenses per 100,000 people
- Solano County map
#8. Marin County
Marin County is in the northwestern part of the Bay Area. It’s best known for its outdoor attractions, including the Muir Woods National Monument. It’s one of the best Bay Area counties for beach enthusiasts, with some of the cleanest and most popular beaches in California. Point Reyes National Seashore covers 80 miles of coastline that provide beautiful sunset views and top spots for camping and sunbathing.
Marin County is one of the oldest Bay Area counties, with a median age almost nine years older than the national median. However, it’s also one of the healthiest counties in the country. According to Marin Health and Human Services, the average life expectancy in the county is 85.2 years, 8.8 years higher than the national average.
- Marin County population: 262,321
- Marin County population growth: 3.9% increase
- Marin County area: 828 square miles
- Marin County median age: 47.4 years
- Marin County median household income: $136,214
- Median price of Marin County homes for sale: $1,575,000
- Marin County crime rate: 4,299 crimes per 100,000 residents
- Marin County map
Are you ready to start living in Marin County? Hire the experienced team of Marin City movers at AMS Relocation now!
#9. Napa County
Napa County is in the North Bay. It is world famous for Napa Valley, a top spot for wine production. You can visit over 100 different wineries in Napa Valley, many of which have restaurants and resorts where you can stay. Castello di Amorosa is in a 14th-century style Tuscan castle, and you can enjoy wine tastings throughout the year. The French Laundry has received three Michelin stars and serves French food in a classy, upscale, and romantic setting.
The Napa County economy caters largely to tourists. However, year-round residents can enjoy a comfortable life in the county. The City of Napa is the largest city in the county, and it’s one of the best cities for shoppers amongst Bay Area counties. Napa Premium Outlets is an outlet mall with upscale stores like Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren.
- Napa County population: 138,019
- Napa County population growth: 1.1% increase
- Napa County area: 789 square miles
- Napa County median age: 42.5 years
- Napa County median household income: $100,318
- Median price of Napa County homes for sale: $950,000
- Napa County crime rate: 2,366 offenses per 100,000 residents
- Napa County map
Bay Area Counties Map
You can use this Bay Area Counties map to see where each county is and find the best restaurants, things to do, and amenities in each county.
FAQ Section
How Many Counties Are in the Bay Area?
The Bay Area contains nine counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.
What Is the Most Populous County in the Bay Area?
Santa Clara County is the most populous county in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a population of 1,936,259.
What Is the Wealthiest County in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Santa Clara County is the wealthiest county in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a median household income of $150,839.
What County Is the Largest in Land Size?
Sonoma County is the largest Bay Area county by land size, covering 1,768 square miles.
What Is the Most Crowded Bay Area County?
San Francisco County is the most crowded Bay Area county, with a density of 18,634.7 people per square mile of land.
What Bay Area Counties Are Best for You?
What counties are in the Bay Area? Bay Area counties include Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties.
Bay Area counties are incredibly diverse, with a plethora of family-friendly attractions, homes for sale, and top schools. If you want a vibrant place to live, you can move to San Francisco County or Napa County. If you prefer a more quaint and residential suburb, you can move to Contra Costa County or San Mateo County.
No matter where you’ve decided to move, AMS Relocation can lend you a hand. We’re the top moving company in the Bay Area, with over 75 years of experience. Call 650-284-2931 for a free estimate today.
