Santa Clara County California

The County of Santa Clara, also referred to as "Silicon Valley," is unique because of its combination of physical attractiveness and economic diversity.  With its numerous natural amenities and one of the highest standards of living in the country, the County has long been considered one of the best areas in the United States in which to live and work.

The County's population of nearly 1.7 million is one of the largest in the state, following Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange Counties, and the largest of the nine Bay Area counties.  Its population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population.

There are 15 cities including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale ranging from Palo Alto to the north, to Gilroy in the south.  San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of nearly 900,000, and is the administrative site of County Government.  A significant portion of the county's land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland.  Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities.

The latest 2000 census reports put the Median value of owner-occupied housing in Santa Clara County at $446,400, compared to the California state Median value of $211,500.