Always wanted to live in a small town with big city amenities? Then, you’ll love living in Piedmont, California. Piedmont is a city in northern California named after a region in Italy. Initially considered a neighborhood of Oakland, the community was officially incorporated in 1907 following a vote by residents. However, it wasn’t fully developed until the 1920s and 1930s. Modern Piedmont is known for its gorgeous rolling hills and impressive estates. Piedmont is a great place to live, offering excellent schools, spacious homes, and easy access to Oakland.
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Where Is Piedmont, CA?
Piedmont, CA, is in Alameda County, within the Oakland metro area. The city of Oakland surrounds it, but it’s considered a separate municipality. It borders nearby Oakland neighborhoods like the Grand Rustic Lake, Montclair, Crocker Heights, and Glenview District. It’s also close to the Hayward Fault, a geographical fault line that runs through the East Bay, and it’s less than 10 miles from the San Francisco Bay.
Piedmont is 3 miles or a 13-minute drive from downtown Oakland and about 14 miles or a 50-minute drive from San Francisco.
Piedmont Population & Demographics
The population of Piedmont is 11,270 according to the 2020 census, which is a 5% increase compared to 2010. The population density is 6,629.4 residents per square mile. Piedmont has the highest median income in Alameda County and the 11th highest in California. Many famous residents have lived in Piedmont, including actor Clint Eastwood, writer Jack London, and investor Charles Schwab.
Piedmont tends to attract an older demographic and the median age is 45.4 years old and 46% are ages 40-69 years old. However, there are also plenty of families as well and 0-18 year olds make up about 30% of the population.
Other Piedmont Demographics
- The population of Piedmont is 51% male and 49% female.
- The racial and ethnic breakdown of Piedmont is 73.4% White (70.7% non-Hispanic), 20.6% Asian, 3.2% Hispanic, 1.4% Black or African American, and 4.4% two or more races.
- The median household income is $250,001, which is more than double the amount in the rest of California.
- Piedmont is a highly educated community, and 99.6% of residents have a high school diploma, while 85.7% have bachelor’s degrees.
- The foreign-born population of Piedmont is 11.8%.
Living in Piedmont CA is very safe, although there is some minor property crime. The total crime rate is 3,442 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 33.4% higher than the rest of the country and 46.7% higher than the rest of the state. However, the violent crime rate is 161 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 63.6% lower than the country and 58.5% lower than the state. But, the property crime rate is 3,281 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 53.4% higher than the national average and 67.5% higher than the statewide average.
The Piedmont Police Department controls crime in the area and employs 30 total law enforcement personnel, including 20 total officers and 10 civilians.
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Cost of Living in Piedmont, CA
Due to its location in the Bay Area, living in Piedmont is not the most affordable. However, it offers plenty of value for your money. The cost of living index for Oakland is 153.9, which indicates that it’s 53.9% more expensive than the US overall.
According to the Family Budget Calculator developed by the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four with two adults and two children would need to earn $123,239 to afford to live in Alameda County. So, budget accordingly if you plan on moving to Piedmont.
Typical Piedmont Living Expenses
- Inexpensive restaurant: $25
- Cappuccino: $5.04
- Bottle of coke: $2.75
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.91
- Loaf of bread: $4.81
- 12 eggs: $5.45
- 1 pound of chicken: $6.75
- 1 pound of beef: $8.00
- 1 pound of apples: $3.22
- 1 pound white rice: $2.38
- Average Westfield utilities per month: $564
Source: Numbeo
*numbers reflect the Oakland metro area but will be similar to Piedmont
The Piedmont real estate market is highly in-demand, which means higher prices. Redfin states the median price of homes for sale in Piedmont, CA is $2 million. That means the average home price in Piedmont, CA, is 129% higher than the US average. The price per square foot of Piedmont CA homes for sale is $992 per square foot.
The majority of Piedmont CA real estate is owner-occupied, and only about 12% of residents are tenants. However, there are still plenty of options for renters, and RentCafe states that the average rent in Piedmont is $2,755. Prices start at about $1925 for a studio and go up to $3,200 for a 2-bedroom.
Piedmont Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Piedmont
If you’re thinking of moving to Piedmont, you’ll likely want to know about the best neighborhoods. Although Piedmont is a small community, there are still a few distinct areas to check out. The most desirable neighborhoods tend to be in the northwest part of the city, while the most affordable are in the southwest. Piedmont is often divided into two distinct areas that offer a unique vibe, Upper Piedmont and Lover Piedmont.
Lower Piedmont | An Upscale Urban Community
Lower Piedmont is more of an upscale urban neighborhood that is similar to other nearby Oakland communities and offers direct access to Piedmont Avenue, a major commercial strip that features great shopping and restaurants.
Upper Piedmont | A Suburban Paradise in the City
Upper Piedmont is slightly more suburban and offers large homes on lush, well-maintained lawns. It’s a highly coveted area with some of the best schools and most desirable Piedmont real estate.
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Weather Piedmont, CA
According to the Koppen classification system, the Piedmont climate is a cool-summer Mediterranean, which means long, dry summers and short, wet winters. The city features fairly mild weather year round, and the temperature usually stays between 43°F and 76°F. Although in the summer, it can get as hot as 86°F, and in the winter, the temperature can get down to 35°F.
You won’t have to worry about snow if you plan on moving to Piedmont. But you may want to pack an umbrella because Piedmont averages about 25 inches of rain per year.
Things to Do in Piedmont
Piedmont is mainly a residential city; however, you can still find many fun things to do close by, from parks to theaters to museums. The best shopping is found along Piedmont Avenue, which is technically in Oakland by runs adjacent to the city. There are many great shops on Piedmont Avenue, including the Good Neighbor Jewelry Store, Mulberry Market, and Maple Street Denim. Beyond shopping, here are a few of the best things to do in Piedmont, CA.
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is a large community green space that is known for the gorgeous fountain in the center and features walking paths, sports fields, and a playground.
356 Highland Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611 (510) 420-3050
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Grand Lake Theater
Grand Lake Theatre is a historic cinema in the nearby neighborhood of Grand Lake that features an old-school Wurlitzer organ and themed auditoriums.
3200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 (510) 465-7586
The Children’s Fairyland
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Piedmont with kids, the Children’s Fairyland is a great spot that is easily accessible and offers rides and theatrical performances with a storybook theme.
699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 (510) 452-2259
Additional Piedmont Attractions
If you’re looking for more fun things to do, the city of Piedmont Parks and Recreation Department maintains the public parks and often hosts community events.
Piedmont Restaurants
Most of the best restaurants in the Piedmont area are found along Piedmont Avenue, which is easily accessible and offers many options, from fine dining to casual cuisine.
Pomet
Pomet is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in Piedmont, CA, and perhaps the entire Bay Area, with delicious menu items like liberty duck leg and bone-in rib-eye steaks.
4029 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 450-2541
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Mago
Mago is a trendy Piedmont, CA, restaurant with a stylish dining room and rotating menu of South American and California cuisine, such as Wagyu brisket and tostada with mascarpone.
3762 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 344-7214
Belotti Bottega
Belotti Bottega is a sophisticated Italian eatery serving fresh pasta dishes and meats with an extensive wine list.
4001-B, Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 350-7619
Jobs in Piedmont
Moving to Piedmont also offers plenty of great job opportunities, as the city has a very strong economy supported by industries like professional, scientific, and technical services, healthcare and social assistance, and education. Most jobs in Piedmont CA are in management, sales, or business and financial occupations.
Some of the largest employers in Alameda County include:
- Alameda County Law Enforcement
- Dell EMC
- Peoplesoft INC
- Kaiser Permanente Oakland Med
- California State University East Bay
Payscale states that the average wage for a worker in Piedmont, CA, is $25.49 per hour. Although most employment opportunities will be found in the broader Oakland area, residents will still find plenty of great Piedmont jobs, from supply chain management to data analysis.
Piedmont Schools
Piedmont is also well known for its excellent school system. The Piedmont School District is one of the best in the Bay Area and ranks #68 in the state of California. The district features three elementary schools, one middle, and two high schools. Considered one of the best Bay Area high schools, Piedmont High School is also very well respected and ranks within the top 300 high schools in the country, according to US News and World Report. It’s also been awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the US Department of Education and features an AP Participation rate of 85%.
The Corpus Christi School is a private Catholic School in Piedmont. A few other top-rated private schools in the area also serve students in Piedmont, including Grand Lake Montessori and St. Paul’s Episcopal School.
Residents can also stop by the Piedmont Avenue Branch of the Oakland Public Library to take out books or attend community events.
Piedmont Statistics & Information
- County: Alameda County
- Area: 1.7 square miles
- Piedmont CA zip codes: 94602, 94610, 94611 & 94618
- Area codes: 510 and 341
- Elevation: 331 feet
- Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (GMT-5)
- Closest airport: The Oakland Airport (OAK), which is about 13.5 miles away or a 31-minute drive
Piedmont, CA Map
Explore more fun things to do, attractions, and restaurants with this map of Piedmont.
Ready to relocate to this upscale Oakland community? Trust our experienced movers in Piedmont, CA to make your journey simple and stress-free. Call 650-284-2931 today for a complimentary moving estimate.
