Known locally as one of the most underrated areas in the San Francisco Bay area, the city of Alameda, CA is a safe haven with so much to provide its residents. As an island in the Bay, it offers a small-town feel with many great activities nearby.
Nicknamed “The Island City” or “The Island”, people living in Alameda have quick access to the big cities of Oakland and San Francisco. It is also right next to the Oakland International Airport as well as the city of San Leandro.
It was originally part of Oakland until the area voted to separate itself in 1853 and chose the name Alameda, which is Spanish for “grove of poplar trees”.
Moving to Alameda is a great choice for many families and individuals.
Table of Contents
1. People of Alameda, CA – Population & Demographics
Having grown by about 6,000 people since the year 2000, the island of Alameda is still seeing slight growth from year to year. Alameda’s current population is 78,246 with a median age of 41 years old. Residents relocating to Alameda will soon find themselves in a community that is a good fit for everyone from young families to senior citizens.
The gender ratio in Alameda leans slightly in favor of women as females add up to about 51.59% of the area, while males make up the other 48.41%. Alameda racial demographics and numbers have shown the population is made up of about 43% Caucasian, 31% Asian, 7% Black or African American, and 6% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income in Alameda is $89,045.
Alameda has been home to many notable individuals including famous sports athletes like NBA All-Star Jason Kidd. Entrepreneur and creator of Mrs. Fields Cookies, Debbi Fields, even Shirley Temple grew up here.
2. Things to Do in Alameda
Surrounded by water and with plenty of fun activities nearby, you’ll always have access to exciting things and events to do in Alameda. One of the top attractions in town is the Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, which provides access to the bay for swimming and various water sports. Visitors can enjoy a picnic under the California sun or go for a bike ride along the riding trail.
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
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Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, 8th Street, Otis Dr, Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 562-7275
Another popular place to visit in Alameda is the USS Hornet, which has been converted into a Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Once used as an aircraft carrier in WWII and as part of the Apollo 11 recovery mission, it now offers opportunities to learn about its history. Head over with your family or simply take a tour of the carrier on your own to see everything this amazing ship has been through.
USS Hornet – Sea, Air and Space Museum
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USS Hornet – Sea, Air and Space Museum, 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 521-8448
Additional Alameda Attractions
- Crab Cove Visitor Center, 1252 McKay Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
- Alameda Naval Air Museum, 2151 Ferry Point, Alameda, CA 94501
- Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501
3. Alameda Restaurants
While living in Alameda, you are sure to find a wide range of great places to eat as well. Located right in the center of town is East Ocean Seafood Restaurant, a banquet hall featuring a massive menu of Chinese food and dim sum. Enjoy delicious dishes that include everything from duck and fish to seafood and noodle plates.
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East Ocean Seafood Restaurant, 1713 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 865-3381
Also worth visiting is the popular Alameda restaurant of Cafe Jolie. This cozy diner offers breakfast options like french toast and beignets as well as lunch choices such as burgers and grilled cheese. Enjoy live music on the weekends as you eat your meal.
Cafe Jolie, 1500 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 523-4500
4. Cost of Living in Alameda, CA
While residing in Alameda comes with many perks, it is also a pretty expensive place to live. The cost of living in Alameda is about 108% higher than the national average and 50% higher than the California average. Except for home utilities, you’ll likely need to plan on paying more for everything from local transportation and groceries to healthcare and housing
Only about 47% of people moving to Alameda are homeowners with the intent to purchase a house. If you are planning on buying, the average listing price of a home in Alameda is $980,000 with a median required down payment of 31%. As you look through Alameda, CA homes for sale, keep in mind that the average sale price per square foot is about $621.
The other 53% who lease can expect to find places with the average price of rent in Alameda being about $2,571. This amount has decreased by about 8% in the last 12 months or so. A one-bedroom apartment will cost you around $2,362 per month on average, while a two-bedroom will be in the realm of $2,888 per month.
5. Alameda Neighborhoods
The island of Alameda covers about 23 square miles and has a handful of comfortable communities where you can live. People moving to Alameda will find these areas offer quick access to amenities close by as well as local schools and workplaces.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Alameda are:
- Woodstock
- West Alameda
- Leonardville
- Alameda Point
- Bay Farm Island
Alameda rests along the northwestern side of Alameda County and covers zip codes of 94501, 94502, 94601, 94606, 94607, and 94621. Although Alameda is named after the county, the city of Oakland stands as the county seat. If you’d like to get a new local phone number as soon as you’re living in Alameda, you can expect it to have either a 510 or 341 area code.
Many great places to shop are scattered around Alameda island including locations like Walgreens, Alameda Landing, CVS, Target, Safeway, Michael’s, and Downtown Alameda.
6. Alameda Schools
Home to a large population of about 10,210 children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old, school-age students make up about 13% of the Alameda residency. If you’re relocating to Alameda with kids, they will most likely be part of the local Alameda Unified School District.
Within this region, you’ll find top Alameda schools that include:
- Amelia Earhart Elementary School
- Donald D. Lum Elementary School
- Lincoln Middle School
- Bay Farm School
- Alameda Science And Technology Institute
- Alameda High School
New high school graduates who want to stay close to home will have secondary school options close by in Oakland including Mills College about 7 miles away and Holy Names University 10 miles away.
7. Jobs in Alameda
A large number of residents in this area commute from Alameda to San Francisco about 14 miles to the west across the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge. Some people also choose to work in the city of Oakland a couple of miles to the north.
People living in Alameda work in industries ranging from healthcare and retail to insurance, manufacturing, and transportation. A few of the largest employers nearby offering Alameda jobs include:
- Wind River Systems
- Alameda Unified School District
- Penumbra
- The North Face
- Alameda Hospital
8. Alameda, CA Weather
The weather in Alameda is gorgeous with average summer temperatures ranging between the upper 50s and low 70s. Winters vary slightly but still stay comfortable with temps between the mid-40s and upper 50s.
With great weather all year long, people living in Alameda are always able to enjoy local outdoor activities as places like Jean Sweeney Open Space Park and Lincoln Park. And since the area gets only about 22 inches of rain per year, you won’t have to worry about carrying an umbrella.
Living in Alameda Pros & Cons
- Pro: Enjoy island living with easy access to nearby cities like Oakland and San Francisco.
- Pro: Great neighborhoods, fun things to do, and nice places to eat.
- Con: Some may find the cost of living in Alameda is more than they can afford.
Moving to Alameda
As more people are relocating to Alameda, the area is growing more diverse and continually adds to its charm. Residing in Alameda gives you nearby beaches, great weather, and so much more.
Need help with your upcoming relocation to Alameda, CA? Here at AMS Relocation we have a team of trusted Alameda movers ready to assist you! Call us today at (650) 284-2931 or complete the Request a Quote form for a free moving estimate!
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