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What once was a brief stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad evolved after World War II to a tree-lined city providing a quiet housing enclave for Silicon Valley. Since incorporation in 1952, Los Altos has grown to a community of mostly single-family homes, rather than apricot and plum orchards, a winery and ranch land.

Today, Los Altos encompasses seven square miles, stretching from Palo Alto to Sunnyvale and Cupertino, sandwiched between Mountain View and Los Altos Hills. Highways have replaced local railroad service, with easy access via Highway 85 and Interstate 280 to nearby metro centers.

Known for its excellent schools and neighborhoods replete with mature trees, Los Altos supports seven commercial areas serving its close to 30,000 residents. And for those still yearning for apricot orchards, a weekly farmers' market offers a chance for neighbors to interact while shopping for local produce and flowers.


FACTS

2008-2009 CITY OPERATING BUDGET: $28.9 million revenues; $27.7 million expenditures
POPULATION (2005): 27,999
HOUSEHOLDS (2000): 10,462
OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING (2000): 8,954
RENTER-OCCUPIED HOUSING (2000): 1,508
MEDIAN HOME-SELLING PRICE: $1,875,000 (single-family homes, December 2007 through November 2008)
$866,500 (condominiums, December 2007 through November 2008)
ESTIMATED MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME (2005): $143,832

Los Altos Neighborhoods:

• Central Los Altos
• Country Club
• Loyola Corners
• North Los Altos
• Old Los Altos
• Rancho
• South Los Altos
• Woodland Acres/The Highlands