San Mateo County, California – Though many areas saw general decline, the Bay Area saw minor population gain in 2024, adding about 2,500 more residents, according to figures from the California Department of Finance that was recently released. Amid this modest regional rise, two San Mateo County communities particularly stood out for their growth rates, underlining a tendency favoring smaller Peninsula municipalities.
With a population of little over 25,000, Belmont saw the fastest growth across the whole Bay Area, at 3.9%. Reflecting the city’s increasing attractiveness, perhaps because of its residential nature, enhanced infrastructure, and closeness to major job centers, this means more than 1,000 new people relocating to Belmont. Nearby Burlingame came in second with a significant 2.6% rise, bringing its population to over 31,500.
Berkeley appeared as another interesting example across the Bay, growing to be the largest city in the East Bay to show substantial growth. Berkeley’s 1.3% increase throughout the year brought in another 1,700 people. The rise indicates ongoing appeal potentially related to Berkeley’s job and educational opportunities…