You can find Los Gatos tucked away to the south of San Jose, but this city used to have the name Forbes Mill. After a Spanish land grant, the town got its new name. La Rinconada de Los Gatos, or The Corner of Cats was an ode to the mountain lion population. The town’s official logo still has two mountain lions on either side, flanking an illustration of the sunny and fertile land.
The incorporated town of Los Gatos has roughly 33,500 residents, all enjoying its many perks. The downtown area is gorgeous and full of dining, shopping, or entertainment for your free time. Los Gatos is also fully supported by excellent schools and nearby healthcare facilities. And then, there’s all of that nature at your front doorstep (or the backyard). There are green spaces all over Los Gatos, in nearby towns, and the mountain ranges that flank the Bay Area.
Los Gatos is pressed up against the Santa Cruz Mountains, extending up the hillside and into the forest. If you drive directly south from Central San Jose, it takes about 15 minutes to travel the 10 or so miles. Monte Sereno is the neighboring city to the west of Los Gatos, while Almaden Valley is the eastern neighbor. Directly north are Cambrian and Campbell. To drive over to Santa Cruz and soak up the Pacific sun or see the boardwalk, it’s a trivial 30-minute drive.
The short answer is that, no, Los Gatos is not seeing population growth at the moment. Between 2020 and 2024, the population seems to have decreased slightly. Population data can fluctuate, but the data seems to show a slight decrease, starting from the most recent census. Los Gatos got most of its population growth after the 1950s. From about 5,000 residents, it took just thirty years to increase almost six-fold to 28,600.
Living in Los Gatos is impossible to sum up in a few sentences because its area is quite large. The town is approximately 11.2 square miles large, containing dozens of differently-styled neighborhoods. Los Gatos has become quite an affluent nook of Santa Clara County. Large and often luxurious homes are well-served by shopping and amenities of matching standards. These days, residents are usually high-income and middle-aged. Over 60% of locals own their homes.
The weather is pleasant in Los Gatos, with dry heat in the summer and mild moist winters. Snow is extremely rare. The whole area, and not just Los Gatos, is known for Mediterranean heat, typically between 40-60°F. Crime is significantly below national averages in many categories. The data shows that Los Gatos has over half as many assaults and eight-and-a-half times fewer robberies. More than a third of residents have a Master’s degree or higher, while almost 40% have a Bachelor’s.
The largest Los Gatos age demographic is 65+ years old, making up 20% of the population. Second is the 45-54 years old age bracket, with 17%. The median age is 47.2 years old, much higher than the California median of 36.5.
Los Gatos is not a town that offers a rock-bottom cost of living. In fact, it’s 136% higher than the national average. It ranked as the 26th most expensive Californian city, although most residents have more income than the average American.
Los Gatos is an active participant in the economy of Silicon Valley and California. One of the biggest names there is Netflix, with headquarters near the Vasona Reservoir and the Los Gatos Creek. There are also medical facilities in Los Gatos that employ a large number of people.
Other industries in Los Gatos:
There’s growth on the horizon, with a projected 33.60% average for Los Gatos, compared to 30.54% average growth projected for the US. That being said, Los Gatos (and the US) both experienced reduced job growth this past year. The average income for Los Gatos is $104,035, while the average household income is $166,642. Many Los Gatos residents will travel around San Jose to their employers. There are delays during rush hour, this can be tricky, but that can be avoided sometimes.
Our best Los Gatos listings are multi-million dollar properties, usually with expansive back and front yards. Listings have a median of $1,404,000 as of February 2024, though several sources list medians closer to $2,000,000. The Los Gatos real estate market follows the same seasonal trends that California does. We see low sales volume around January and New Year, with a huge uptick starting around February. Desirable areas like Los Gatos become more or less competitive at different times of the year. The most homes are usually sold from February to May. The Los Gatos real estate market is usually in a slight slumber from December, January, and sometimes early February.
Using the neighborhoods in this section, you’ll have a starting point. These Los Gatos communities are definitely worth a look.
Eating and Wine Tasting: There are several award-winning wineries near and inside Los Gatos, like Testarossa Winery. This historic property is one of the best places to book a tasting and soak up the scenery in peace. It’s not the only one on the list and residents will have plenty more to discover. Within Los Gatos, North Santa Cruz Avenue is a good place to get rid of hunger pangs, with Italian, French, Asian, and American cuisine.
Entertainment: Los Gatos has always been regarded as an artsy area of Silicon Valley. You’ll see that reflected in the town, especially in the New Museum, or NUMU. The restored and renovated Cinelux Theater has the same charm, dating back to 1915. In the summer months, there’s Music in the Park every Sunday, showcasing lots of genres for local families.
Exercise and Nature: Like most Silicon Valley neighborhoods, living in Los Gatos brings you much closer to nature. Despite being such a high-tech area, Los Gatos and Silicon Valley are just as well-known for its scenery and environment. Vasona Lake is one of the most beautiful places around, where you can test your fishing ability, or just paddle around. There are many others, like Castle Rock, plus the Santa Cruz mountains to the south.
Shopping: North Santa Cruz Avenue is the place to find boutique shops, whether you need clothing, home decor, or a bite to eat. This is where you’ll find the Los Gatos Farmer’s Market, USPS, and the Lyndon Plaza. A similar destination is the Los Gatos Shopping Center, further north down the road. New Town Shopping Center and Cornerstone of Los Gatos are two other spots to satisfy shoppers.
Education options are scattered across Los Gatos, with high schools, elementary schools, and nearby access to Silicon Valley’s finest universities. Some of the bordering areas around Los Gatos are Monte Sereno, Campbell, Cambrian, and Almaden Valley. Each one has different amenities, shopping, golf courses, and other services.
Los Gatos Public Schools:
Los Gatos Private Schools:
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