North Fair Oaks metal entry sign, 2022
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North Fair OaksCA
A town in California, home to 13,100 people.
2 bordering townsMap →
Photo: KenShirriff · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
13,100
Census survey, 2020–24
Median home value
$1.28M
Census ACS
Household income
$105K
median
Median age
32.7
years
Jobs based here
3,891
A commuter town
TownGrade
C+
#284 of 841 in CA
Is North Fair Oaks a good place to live?
Strong in places, weak in others. At C+ overall, North Fair Oaks ranks 284th of 841 in California. It comes out better than nearly two fifths of U.S. towns. Its weakest subject is cost of living — the typical home is worth about $1.3 million, 9.4 years of the San Francisco metro’s $136K median household income. Hazard risk is weaker too (D) — FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 91% of U.S. communities, with earthquakes at the top. Walkability is its strong suit (A): it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 91% of U.S. towns. North Fair Oaks’ July high is 75°F, where California’s towns sit at 89°F and U.S. towns at 85°F. Its other grades sit near the middle: B for health and B for incomes.
Figures: home values, Zillow · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24 · FEMA National Risk Index · health, CDC PLACES · NOAA normals, 1991–2020.
What makes North Fair Oaks stand out
Where North Fair Oaks 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.
KIPP Excelencia Community Preparatory District
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| KIPP Excelencia Community Preparatory | K–8 | 711 |
| Garfield Elementary | K–5 | 280 |
| Connect Community Charter | K–8 | 143 |
SchoolsB+
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD
Earthquakes and inland flooding at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
A commuter town
96% of working residents leave North Fair Oaks for work
Where North Fair Oaks’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
3,891jobs based in North Fair Oaks
4%of working residents work in town
10 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How North Fair Oaks grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far North Fair Oaks is from typical.
Its grades run from A for walkability (better than 91% of comparable towns) to D− for cost of living (better than 4%), so the C+ overall blends very different results.
Cost of livingHomes are among the least affordable for local incomesD−Open →Hazard riskEarthquakes top the listDOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 11.6 of 20; 5.4% of households have no carAOpen →SchoolsAhead of most towns comparedB+Open →HealthKaiser Foundation Hospital - Redwood City 1.5 miles awayBOpen →Jobs & income$105K median household income; 3,891 jobs based hereBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsConserved land, trails and parksC−Open →HistoryBased on listed places, the town’s age and notable peopleC+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 76° summer afternoons–Open →Who lives here28% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 251 attractions →Levi's Stadium and 225 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around North Fair Oaks. Close and well known come first.
Big draw14 mi Stadium & arenaLevi's Stadium
Big draw27 mi MuseumAlcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Big draw14 mi Theme parkCalifornia's Great America
Big draw21 mi MuseumUSS Hornet
Big draw23 mi Stadium & arenaChase Center
Big draw23 mi Stadium & arenaOracle ParkSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Levi's Stadium: Matthew Roth, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary: druchoy, CC BY-SA 2.0 · California's Great America: Oleg Alexandrov, CC BY-SA 4.0 · USS Hornet: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0 · Chase Center: Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oracle Park: User Coasttocoast on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Getting set up
Moving to North Fair Oaks: who provides what
North Fair Oaks is unincorporated, so San Mateo County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerPG&E37.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCalifornia Water Service - Bear GulchNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet8 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesSan Mateo CountySan Mateo County provides services here
SchoolsRedwood City Elementary School DistrictSequoia Union High School District2 districts serve North Fair Oaks; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
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 hereSan Mateo County Clerk - ElectionsSan Mateo County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Oct 2024
ZIP codes94063, 9402594063 74% · 94025 25%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 North Fair Oaks.
North Fair Oaks has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns, owes part of its health edge to its incomes and has commutes shorter than most of California.
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Very high risk in North Fair Oaks, with earthquakes at the top
Flood insurance has paid out on 10 claims in North Fair Oaks since 1978. FEMA puts just over three quarters of the town’s expected hazard losses down to earthquakes, and 24% to inland flooding.
91risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland flooding
10
paid flood claims since 1978
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SchoolsB+
North Fair Oaks’ public schools outperform 70% of California districts
The KIPP Excelencia Community Preparatory District runs its public schools. Two of its 7 schools are below, each with the reason it’s listed. The 4 public schools in North Fair Oaks teach 1,358 students between them.
70%of CA districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIPP Excelencia Community PreparatoryLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–8 | Grades K–8 | 711 | C+ |
| Everest Public HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 224 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
Most of North Fair Oaks’ workers head elsewhere: there are 0.7 jobs for each of them
The average commute for its 5,231 working residents takes 22.1 minutes, against 28.7 across California.
Among residents in North Fair Oaks, 13% live below the poverty line. Only 4% of working residents stay in North Fair Oaks for work; the rest commute out. The mean commuting time in the town is 22 minutes. The median commute is under 10 miles.
4%work in town
| North Fair Oaks | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 19% | 14% | 11% |
| Average trip to work | 22 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $105,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 13% | 10% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In North Fair Oaks4%
Redwood City12%
Palo Alto8%
San Francisco7%
San Jose7%
10 mi
median commute distance
3,891
jobs based in North Fair Oaks
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 91% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
North Fair Oaks: mild winters and pleasant summers
January nights average 42.5°, milder than in 96% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 74.9°.
North Fair Oaks’ January low stands at 43°F. Snow is almost unheard of.
76°summer high
| North Fair Oaks | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 75°F | 89°F | 85°F |
| January low | 43°F | 40°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter43–60°
Spring48–67°
Summer55–75°
Fall51–71°
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
76°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
Young adults are more common in North Fair Oaks than in California
Adults 18 to 34 are 31% of residents (24% statewide). North Fair Oaks’ median age comes in at 32.7 years. California has 37% of adults 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or more; here it is 28%. 27% never finished high school.
32.7median age · CA 37.9
| North Fair Oaks | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.7 years | 39.1 years | 40.5 years |
| Aged 65 or older | 13% | 16% | 18% |
| Under 18 | 21% | 22% | 22% |
North Fair OaksCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
19%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma27%
High school20%
Some college19%
Associate’s6%
Bachelor’s15%
Graduate13%
Women and men · all residents
52% women, 48% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±7.6 points. Across California, 50.1% of residents are women.
| North Fair Oaks | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 13.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.1% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 11.7% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 18.9% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 11.3% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.2% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 8.6% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 4.1% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 27% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 20.1% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 18.7% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 6.3% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 15.2% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 12.7% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HealthB
North Fair Oaks ranks healthier than 62% of the country’s towns
Against the 7,856 U.S. towns with household incomes like North Fair Oaks’s, it is less healthy than 63%: its national edge comes with its incomes.
In North Fair Oaks, 27% of adults get no exercise outside work. On the CDC’s 32 measures, North Fair Oaks is ahead of California on 6 and behind on 8. 30% of adults in North Fair Oaks sleep under 7 hours; 27% have high blood pressure.
62%healthier than U.S. townsBHealth Grade
| North Fair Oaks | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 66% | 72% | 79% |
| No health insurance, 18–64 (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 9% | 8.1% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 35% | 36% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 31% | 35% |
32 measures vs. California
6 better18 too close to call8 worse
| What stands out | North Fair Oaks | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 4.8% | 6.4% |
| Fewer adults with COPD | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| More uninsured adults | 16.9% | 10.6% |
Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Redwood City
1.5 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
50th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
HousingCost of living grade D−
A home in North Fair Oaks sells for about $1.4M at the median
For households locally, the share who own their home is 48%. North Fair Oaks’ going rate for rent is $2,314 a month. Homes sold in North Fair Oaks spent a median 21 days on the market.
$1.4Mmedian sale price
| North Fair Oaks | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,314 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 48% | 64% | 73% |
Market temperature
21
days on market
102.7%
sale-to-list price
7
homes sold in September
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about North Fair Oaks
16pages on North Fair Oaks
The big questions
Out and about
The story
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
17 within 15 miles of the center of North Fair Oaks
Menlo CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Atherton1.7 mi$53,630 tuitionCanada CollegeCommunity college · Public · Redwood City3.9 mi$1,332 in-state tuitionCalifornia State University-East BayUniversity or college · Public · Hayward15 mi$7,583 in-state tuition
About 7 of every 100 North Fair Oaks residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California.
About North Fair Oaks
Census-designated place in California, United States
North Fair Oaks is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area located in San Mateo County, California, United States, adjacent to Redwood City, Atherton, and Menlo Park. As of the 2020 census the area had a total population of 14,027. Because of the large number of residents from one Mexican state the area is also known as Little Michoacán. The larger area including North Fair Oaks and adjacent parts of Redwood City has a large Hispanic/Latino population and is known locally as Little Mexico. The neighborhood is distinctive, as it is one out of only three communities (the others being East Palo Alto and Pescadero) in San Mateo County that have a majority-Hispanic/Latino population.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 1.2 sq mi
- Elevation
- 26 ft
North Fair Oaks’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with North Fair Oaks.
Redwood CityAthertonNorth Fair Oaks
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Fair Oaks | #284 | C+ | D− | — | B+ | B |
| Redwood City | #160 | B | D− | C− | A | A |
| Atherton | #34 | A− | D− | B | A+ | A+ |
North Fair Oaks reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare North Fair Oaks with a neighbor →
Questions about North Fair Oaks
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is North Fair Oaks, CA a good place to live?
North Fair Oaks grades C+ overall, better than 39% of U.S. towns and #284 of 841 in California. It grades B for health and B+ for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is North Fair Oaks, CA expensive?
Yes. The typical home is worth about $1,277,000, 68% above the California typical home. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.