Walnut Creek,
California

Population: 69,876

Welcome to Walnut Creek, California!

Here's what you need to know:

Walnut Creek, California, is a hub of activity and culture. It hosts a variety of events, such as community scavenger hunts, an annual Trunk or Treat event, and movies in the park. These events highlight the city’s commitment to the community, arts, and entertainment.

Walnut Creek is known for its blend of urban and suburban landscapes, nestled in the rolling hills of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area at the base of Mount Diablo.

The city is home to several notable establishments. The Lesher Center for the Arts and the Bedford Gallery stand out as cultural landmarks, hosting a variety of performances and exhibitions. The city also offers a range of recreational parks and facilities, contributing to its vibrant community life.

Education

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Economy

Household Income

$121,205

2020 Median

Unemployment rate

4.4%

2020 Median

Income

The median household income in Walnut Creek is $121,205.

Employment

The unemployment rate in Walnut Creek is 4.4%.

The occupations of Walnut Creek are:

Business, Science, and Arts: 66%
Service Industry: 9%
Sales and Office: 19%
Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance: 2%
Production, Transportation, and Materials: 4%

The industries in Walnut Creek are:

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting, and Mining: 0%
Construction: 4%
Manufacturing: 6%
Wholesale Trade: 2%
Retail: 9%
Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities: 4%
Information: 3%
Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate: 13%
Science, Administrative, and Waste Management: 24%
Education, Social Services, and Health Care: 24%
Arts, Entertainment, Food Services, Accommodation, and Recreation: 6%
Other Services: 3%
Public Administration: 3%

Transportation

The means of transportation in Walnut Creek are:

Drive alone: 53%
Carpool: 6%
Public transportation: 15%
Walk: 3%
Taxi, motorcycle or bicycle: 1%

Approximately 22% work from home.

Demographics and Data

Area

19.76 mi²

Land Area

Population

69,876

2020 Population

Housing

$858,000

2020 Median

Average Age

2020 Median

Population

According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Walnut Creek is 69,876.

Education

In Walnut Creek, 97% of residents have a high school diploma or higher with 70% attaining a bachelor's degree or higher.

Age distribution

The median age of Walnut Creek is 48. The majority of the population falls into the age range 70 and over.

Housing

The median home value of Walnut Creek is $858,000 and the homeownership rate is 65%.

Ethnicity and race

Walnut Creek is 63% White, 4% Hispanic or Latino, 18% Asian, and 3% Black.

Language

Approximately 26% of the population of Walnut Creek can speak a language other than English, with 6% Spanish being the most common non-English language. 74% of the population in Walnut Creek speak English only.

Gender

The population of Walnut Creek is made up of 52% female and 48% male.

History

Walnut Creek has a history spanning more than 165 years. Initially, it was inhabited by the Bay Miwok tribes, who resided along the creeks and streams in peaceful coexistence with neighboring tribes. After the Mexican Revolution in 1821, Mexico gained control of California and granted former mission lands to encourage settlement, including four in the Walnut Creek region.

The first American settler, William Slusher, arrived in 1849 and constructed a cabin on the west bank of Arroyo de las Nueces (also known as Nuts Creek). During the 1850s, the focus shifted from cattle ranching to the cultivation of wheat and other grains. Hiram Penniman settled in the Ygnacio Valley in 1852 and later built the grand Shadelands Ranch Museum in 1903.

The community experienced a period of growth during the gold rush, and with California’s statehood in 1850, the small village at Nuts Creek became known as “The Corners.” In 1862, the US Post Office officially renamed the town Walnut Creek.

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