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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
2012-13 CITY OPERATING BUDGET: $29.9 million revenues; $29.8 million expenditures

POPULATION (2010): 28,409

HOUSEHOLDS (2010): 10,701

OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING (2010): 9,152

RENTER-OCCUPIED HOUSING (2010): 1,549

MEDIAN HOME-SELLING PRICE: $1,827,000 (single-family homes, December 2011 through November 2012)
$877,500 (condominiums, December 2011 through November 2012)

ESTIMATED MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME (2010): $149,964


LOS ALTOS NEIGHBORHOODS:

■ Central Los Altos

■ Country Club

■ Loyola Corners

■ North Los Altos

■ Old Los Altos

■ Rancho

■ South Los Altos

■ Woodland Acres/The Highlands

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