Gurdwara Sahib, 2009
El Sobrante’s story
El Sobrante in pictures
Census counts: 10,535 in 1980, 15,524 in 2020. The archive holds 7 old photos and papers going back to 2009 and 8 maps from 1895 on.
Explore the history →
El SobranteContra Costa County, CA
It is a town of 16,294 residents in California.
4 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Coro · CC BY-SA 3.0
Population
16,294
Census survey, 2020–24
Typical home
$670K
−0.1% in a year
Household income
$115K
median
Median age
39.3
years
Jobs based here
997
A commuter town
TownGrade
C+
#304 of 841 in CA
What should you know before moving to El Sobrante?
Some subjects shine; others lag. Its weakest subject is cost of living — the typical home is worth about $670K, 4.9 years of the San Francisco metro’s $136K median household income. It lags on hazard risk as well — FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 91% of U.S. communities, with earthquakes at the top. Walkability is its strong suit: it is more walkable than 91% of U.S. towns. Health is a strength too: it is healthier than 73% of U.S. towns. The overall grade comes out at C+, better than 38% of U.S. towns. In the ranking it comes 304th of 841 in California. El Sobrante’s July high is 76°F, below both California’s towns (89°F) and U.S. towns (85°F).
Figures: health, CDC PLACES · home values, Zillow · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24 · FEMA National Risk Index · NOAA normals, 1991–2020.
What makes El Sobrante stand out
Where El Sobrante beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
WalkabilityA
More walkable than 91% of U.S. towns
5% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
32 measures vs. California
6 better26 too close to call0 worse
| Widest gap | El Sobrante | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 8.2% | 10.6% |
HealthB+
Beats CA on 6 of 32 CDC measures, trails it on none
Less healthyHealthier
CDC PLACES 2025 estimates.
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD−
Earthquakes and inland flooding at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
A growing town
El Sobrante has grown 23% from 2010 to 2020
12,669 counted in 2010 and 15,524 in 2020.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts
How El Sobrante grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far El Sobrante is from typical.
Hazard riskEarthquakes top the listD−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 12.1 of 20; 2.1% of households have no carAOpen →Cost of livingHomes are among the least affordable for local incomesC−Open →HealthAlta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp 8.4 miles awayB+Open →Jobs & income$115K median household incomeB+Open →SchoolsWeaker than most of the towns comparedC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 77° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market$670K typical home, down 0.1% in a year–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 39.3; 36% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 261 attractions →Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and 197 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around El Sobrante. Close and well known come first.
Big draw12 mi MuseumAlcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Big draw14 mi MuseumUSS Hornet
Big draw13 mi LandmarkLombard Street
Big draw15 mi Stadium & arenaChase Center
Big draw14 mi Stadium & arenaOracle Park
Big draw15 mi GardenPresidio of San FranciscoSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary: druchoy, CC BY-SA 2.0 · USS Hornet: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0 · Lombard Street: The original uploader was Y6y6y6 at English Wikipedia., Public domain · Chase Center: Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oracle Park: User Coasttocoast on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Presidio of San Francisco: Robert Campbell, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Getting set up
Moving to El Sobrante: who provides what
El Sobrante is unincorporated, so Contra Costa County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerPG&E37.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterEBMUDNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet7 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesContra Costa CountyContra Costa County provides services here
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereContra Costa County Elections DivisionContra Costa County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2025
ZIP codes94803, 9480694803 94% · 94806 6%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in El Sobrante.
El Sobrante has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns and has home values still below their peak, but it has little public open land.
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D−
El Sobrante faces a very high natural-hazard risk, led by earthquakes
Households in El Sobrante have drawn federal disaster aid in 2 declared disasters, most recently in 2022. FEMA puts just over three fifths of the town’s expected hazard losses down to earthquakes, and 36% to inland flooding. One claim on flood insurance has been paid out locally since 2017.
91risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland flooding
1
paid flood claims since 2017
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SchoolsC+
Public schools in El Sobrante fall behind 64% of California districts
The public schools here belong to the West Contra Costa Unified school district. Two of its 5 schools are shown below, with the reason for each. El Sobrante’s only public school teaches 372 students.
36%of CA districts it outscoresC+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betty Reid Soskin MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 372 | – |
| Bethel Christian Academy PrivateLargest high schoolGrades K–9 | Grades K–9 | 50 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
Most people working in El Sobrante commute elsewhere
El Sobrante has 997 jobs for its 6,582 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out.
Only 2% of working residents stay in El Sobrante for work; the rest commute out. Jobs here fell by 172 from 2013 to 2023, to 997. The town’s mean commuting time stands at 34 minutes. Half of commuters travel less than 14 miles.
2%work in town
| El Sobrante | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 34 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $115,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 1.5% | 6.6% | 8% |
| Work from home | 16% | 14% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In El Sobrante2%
San Francisco17%
Oakland11%
Richmond8%
Berkeley7%
14 mi
median commute distance
997
jobs based in El Sobrante
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 91% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HealthB+
El Sobrante’s grade for health is a B+
Against the 6,464 U.S. towns with household incomes like El Sobrante’s, it is less healthy than 54%: its national edge comes with its incomes.
Two figures for adults in El Sobrante: 9.8% smoke cigarettes, 72% had a checkup this year. Among adults here, 19% have been diagnosed with depression.
73%healthier than U.S. townsB+Health Grade
| El Sobrante | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 22% | 23% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 9.8% | 11% | 14% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 72% | 72% | 79% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 14% | 14% |
32 measures vs. California
6 better26 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | El Sobrante | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 8.2% | 10.6% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 14.6% | 17.9% |
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp
8.4 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
63rd
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
Expect mild winters and pleasant summers in El Sobrante
January nights average 42.3°, milder than in 95% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 75.6°.
El Sobrante’s January low is 42°F. Snowfall is close to zero.
77°summer high
| El Sobrante | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 76°F | 89°F | 85°F |
| January low | 42°F | 40°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter43–58°
Spring48–66°
Summer55–76°
Fall51–71°
+1.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
77°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade C−
El Sobrante’s grade for cost of living is a C−
The typical value, about $670K, is 14% below its June 2022 peak. At about $670K, home values are down 5% in five years, against a rise of 13% across California.
The typical rent for El Sobrante comes to $2,216 a month. Two thirds of El Sobrante households live in a home they own.
$670KZillow home value
| El Sobrante | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,216 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 67% | 64% | 73% |
Typical home value
El Sobrante$670K
California$762K
−0.1%
value change, 1 year
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Who lives here
A typical California spread of ages in El Sobrante
Among adults 25 and older, 37% have a four-year degree or more, against 37% across California. The age mix tracks California closely: no broad group is more than 4 points off. The share of residents in El Sobrante who are under 18: 21%.
39.3median age · CA 37.9
| El Sobrante | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 37% | 29% | 29% |
| Under 18 | 21% | 22% | 22% |
| Aged 65 or older | 18% | 16% | 18% |
El SobranteCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
17%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma9%
High school21%
Some college25%
Associate’s8%
Bachelor’s23%
Graduate13%
Women and men · all residents
48% women, 52% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.3 points. Across California, 50.1% of residents are women.
| El Sobrante | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 11.1% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.6% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.6% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 17.2% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.6% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.5% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 11.4% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 6.9% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 9.2% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 21% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 24.9% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.3% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 23.2% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 13.3% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
OutdoorsC−
Protected land: 0.5% of El Sobrante
Just 9 of its 1,970 acres are conserved, so there is little public open land in El Sobrante itself; its outdoors grade is C−.
Trails run 0.4 miles in 1 park or preserve. For El Sobrante, the trail network density is 0.1 miles per square mile.
0.5%conserved
| El Sobrante | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.1 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 0.5% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
0.5%
conserved · 9 of 1,970 acres
0.4 mi
of trails · 0.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Stewart Draw Park | — | 1 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Keep exploring
Everything we know about El Sobrante
18pages on El Sobrante
The big questions
Out and about
After high school
Colleges nearby
32 within 15 miles of the center of El Sobrante
Contra Costa CollegeCommunity college · Public · San Pablo1.9 mi$1,312 in-state tuitionDominican School of Philosophy & TheologyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley6.7 miUniversity of California-BerkeleyUniversity or college · Public · Berkeley7.4 mi$16,347 in-state tuition
About 6 of every 100 El Sobrante residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across California.
A commuter town
98% of working residents leave El Sobrante for work
Where El Sobrante’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
997jobs based in El Sobrante
2%of working residents work in town
14 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About El Sobrante
Census-designated place in United States
El Sobrante (pronounced [el soˈβɾante]; Spanish for 'The Surplus') is a census-designated place (CDP) in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 15,524 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 2.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 187 ft
- ZIP code
- 94803, 94820
- Area code
- 510
El Sobrante’s neighbors
4 towns share a border with El Sobrante.
It grades higher overall than all 4 graded towns on its borders; Pinole (C) comes closest.
RichmondPinoleSan PabloRollingwoodEl Sobrante
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Sobrante | #304 | C+ | C− | — | C+ | B+ |
| Richmond | #605 | D | C− | D | C+ | C+ |
| Pinole | #411 | C | D | C− | C+ | B+ |
| San Pablo | #616 | D | C | D | C+ | C |
| Rollingwood | #446 | C | C+ | — | C+ | B− |
El Sobrante and Rollingwood report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare El Sobrante with a neighbor →
Questions about El Sobrante
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is El Sobrante, CA a good place to live?
El Sobrante grades C+ overall, better than 38% of U.S. towns and #304 of 841 in California. It grades B+ for health and C+ for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is El Sobrante, CA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.