About Los Altos
U.S. Census Facts for Los Altos
- Total Population: 28,976
- 11,493 housing units – 84.7% owner occupied
- Median household income: $157,907
- Bachelors degree or higher: 84.1%
- Median age: 46.2
The Bullis Charter School (BCS) was founded as a reaction to the Los Altos School District (LASD) board’s decision to close the Bullis-Purissima Elementary School in February 2003. The BCS has sued the LASD multiple times. Currently the two have agreed to a 5 year “cease-fire”.
In 1906 Paul Shoup, an executive of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and some colleagues formed the Altos Land Company and started the development of Los Altos. The company purchased 140 acres of land from Sarah Winchester with the plan of creating a town to take advantage of the Southern Pacific “cutoff” between Mayfield(now part of Palo Alto) and Los Gatos. In March 1907 the Altos Land company sponsored an outdoor land sale and the first town lots were sold. Southern Pacific Railroad began train service through Los Altos on April 19, 1908 with five trains per day along what is now Foothill Expressway. By 1949 many residents were afraid that the town would be annexed by either Palo Alto or Mountain View and decided to try to incorporate. Los Altos became the eleventh city in Santa Clara county on December 1, 1952. By 1964 increased use of automobiles lead Southern Pacific Railroad to cease operations to Los Altos.
Los Altos Real Estate Trends

Los Altos home prices were some of the first to recover from the 2008 downturn. Home prices have nearly doubled between 2009 and 2015.

Since the beginning of 2012, on average, Los Altos homes have been selling over list price. This is also reflected in the strong increase in average and median prices.
Los Altos Schools

Los Altos School District, 201 Covington Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650-947-1150
website
Mountain View/Los Altos Union High School District, 1299 Bryant Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94040
650-940-4650.