Atherton｜What It’s Like to Live in America’s Most Expensive Zip Code
- Marketing Alpha
- Jul 11
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Atherton Atherton is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, close to Palo Alto where Stanford is located. Atherton is one of the most expensive and wealthy cities in the United States.
(*Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdepietro/2018/07/31/housing-1998-2018-most-expensive-zip-codes/?ctpv=searchpage, from Forbes )
From 1998 to 2018, 20 years later, Atherton (zip code 94027) was once again ranked by Forbes as the "Most Expensive ZIP Code in the United States" ( Forbes magazine's annual "Most Expensive ZIP Code in the United States" ranking is based on data from Altos Research. In order to compile this list, the listed prices of single-family homes and apartments were used to calculate the median house prices in more than 28,500 ZIP codes across the United States (covering 95% of the US population) ) .
It is said that wealthy people in Silicon Valley, including Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, HP CEO Meg Whitman, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Facebook COO Shery Sandberg, and securities brokerage tycoon Charles Schwab, all live here. Do you also yearn to live in this low-key and luxurious city? This article will unveil the mystery of Atherton and bring you the most complete guide to life!
(* Atherton, from Google Maps)
Atherton is located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay Peninsula and belongs to San Mateo County. It is known as the "golden area of the golden area" in Silicon Valley. It is adjacent to Menlo Park in the north, Palo Alto in the east, Woodside in the west, and Redwood City in the south. Its superior geographical location allows it to conveniently enjoy the technology and business resources in the core area of Silicon Valley while enjoying a quiet and private living environment.
In terms of transportation, Atherton is close to Highway 101 and Highway 280, 10 minutes away from Stanford University and Palo Alto Business Center, 20 minutes away from Facebook headquarters, and 30 minutes away from San Francisco International Airport. The efficient commuting network seamlessly connects various important nodes in the Bay Area.
1. Education & School District
(*Atherton Primary School rating map, from GreatSchools)
Although there is no public school directly located in Atherton, its school districts are all top-notch in the United States. There are many high-scoring elementary schools (GreatSchools rating 9-10 points) in the surrounding area, such as:
Brittan Acres Elementary School
White Oaks Elementary School
La Entrada Middle School
Oak Knoll Elementary School
North Star Academy
Woodside Elementary School
(*Atherton High School rating map, from GreatSchools)
Top high schools:
*Menlo-Atherton High School district boundary map, from SUHSD)
Menlo-Atherton High School (GreatSchools test score: 9 points). As the top high school and national blue ribbon school for Atherton students, it provides students with 24 rich college advanced courses (AP courses), covering a variety of fields from art history to American history. The AP test pass rate is 77%, and most graduates are admitted to top universities such as Stanford, Harvard, and California Institute of Technology . Menlo-Atherton High School covers a number of high-end communities. The following briefly lists the core communities in these school districts to help parents understand their living options:
Lindenwood: Located between Middlefield and 101, it has a rich history and was once the summer home of "Silver Mine King" Jame. C. Flood. Most of the houses in the community cover an area of about one acre, and the design and materials are luxurious and can be called works of art. Spacious single-family villas stand beside the tree-lined streets, with exquisite gardens and courtyards, creating a quiet and warm living atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for family living.
Crystal Springs Community: This community is blessed with a unique geographical location. Some houses have excellent views, overlooking the magnificent mountain and golf course views. The living environment is high-end and private. Most of the houses in the community are single-family large-sized houses with reasonable spacing to ensure the privacy of residents. Most of the neighbors are elites from all walks of life, forming a high-quality, high-net-worth social circle.
Atherton Oaks: Most of the houses in the community are one acre or larger. The styles of the houses vary from classical elegance to modern simplicity. Among them, the houses at the end of the lane next to Fair Oaks are the most expensive, where the environment is quiet and like a paradise; while the houses on the main streets at the edge of the community or along the California Railway are about 14%-15% lower than those in the center.
West of the Alameda: As the quietest and most private area in Atherton, the undulating terrain makes the distance between houses farther than other communities. The architectural style is mostly rural, which complements the surrounding natural environment. Due to its proximity to the prestigious West Atherton, the housing prices in this community have also risen accordingly.
(* Sequoia Union High School District official website , from SUHSD)
Atherton (94027) belongs to Sequoia Union High School District, which has four high schools: Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, Sequoia, and Woodside. Atherton is surrounded by not only top elementary and middle schools, but also world-renowned universities such as Stanford University. The strong academic atmosphere and rich educational resources have formed a high-quality ecological chain from basic education to higher education, providing unlimited possibilities for children's future development.
2. Community Introduction
(*Zip Code map, from Zipmap)
The ZipCode for Atherton is mainly 94027.
(*94027 housing price map, from Zillow)
The communities in 94027 mainly include West of the Alameda, Lindenwood, Fair Oaks, Atherton (the entire area of Atherton City), etc. The following is a detailed introduction:
West of the Alameda: Located on the southern edge of the city of Atherton, West of the Alameda offers a beautiful natural environment with ancient oak trees, providing residents with good privacy.
Lindenwood: A more exclusive and upscale community with winding streets and tall oak trees forming natural tunnels, creating a quiet and private atmosphere.
Fair Oaks: Fair Oaks is located in North Fair Oaks. Although it is surrounded by some of the most expensive zip codes in the United States, it has its own unique style and is a mature and culturally diverse community with many unique and customized community signs.
Atherton: Atherton itself is an area known for its wealth, high-end and park-like environment. It is a symbol of Silicon Valley wealth and luxury, and is home to many CEOs of technology and venture capital companies, famous athletes, and Hollywood stars.
(*Atherton Police " 2024 Annual Report", sourced from ci.atherton.ca.us)
In 2024, the Atherton Police Department handled a total of 96 cases, 5 fewer cases than in 2023, when there were 101. Atherton is affiliated with the San Mateo County Police District, and enjoys a separate police force, short response time to calls, and well-trained police officers who are familiar with the community environment. The extremely short response time to calls and efficient policing mechanisms have kept the burglary rate among the lowest in the Bay Area all year round.
(*Menlo Medical Clinic, from Google Maps)
Atherton is also impeccable in terms of public service facilities. In terms of medical resources, it is close to the world-renowned Stanford Medicine, which is a global leader in cancer treatment, heart surgery, neuroscience and other fields; Menlo Medical Clinic can also provide residents with convenient and professional basic medical services. The top medical resources protect the health of residents, allowing high-net-worth individuals to live here without any worries.
3. Housing Market
(*Atherton housing market trends, sourced from Redfin)
In May 2025, the median house price in 94027 was approximately $8.44 million, nearly 20 times the national average of $440,000 and an increase of 14.8% over last year, highlighting its status as a top luxury residential area.
(*Atherton Redfin competition score, sourced from Redfin)
Homes in 94027 sold in 12.5 days; the average home sold for approximately 2%-4% above list price.
The core driving factors are significant:
Scarcity and privacy: Atherton is dominated by low-density residential areas, with extremely scarce land resources and few newly built houses. In addition, the community’s strict building codes ensure a high-end and private living environment, making competition for existing housing extremely fierce.
Circle value: This is where the world's wealthy people, technology giants, and business elites live. Living here means integrating into the top social circles and enjoying unique network resources and lifestyle.
Value preservation and appreciation: With its superior geographical location and top-notch supporting resources, Atherton's properties have maintained stable appreciation over the long term and have strong risk resistance, making it a high-quality choice for global asset allocation.
⚠️ Property tax and purchase cost tips:
The property tax rate in Atherton is about 1.1% to 1.2% (depending on the location and additional levies). The annual tax for a $8 million home is between $90,000 and $100,000.
New construction or renovation must comply with local building review regulations, strictly control building density, height, and privacy, and the process time is approximately 12 to 24 months;
It is recommended that homebuyers make structural plans in advance.
4. Population structure
(*Atherton data analysis, from datausa)
According to datausa, as of 2023, Atherton has a permanent population of approximately 7,000 people.
(*Atherton's race and ethnicity are from DataUSA)
Whites account for more than 63%, Asians account for about 18.6%, and Hispanics account for about 4.99%.
(*Atherton's race and ethnicity are from DataUSA)
Whites account for more than 63%, Asians account for about 18.6%, and Hispanics account for about 4.99%.
(*Atherton family income, from datausa)
By 2023, the median annual household income will exceed $250,000 and the number of households will exceed 2,000.
5. Noise & Air Quality
(*Atherton Noise, from noise-map)
Atherton's community environment is quiet and pleasant, away from the hustle and bustle, as if you are in a quiet private estate. Commercial activities are prohibited in the community, further ensuring the privacy and purity of living.
(*Atherton Air Quality, sourced from IQAir)
Atherton's air quality remains at an "excellent" level all year round, with an annual average concentration of PM2.5 of only 6.2 µg/m³, far exceeding the US federal and WHO standards. The community is shaded by trees and surrounded by parks, golf courses and other leisure facilities, providing residents with an excellent place to get close to nature and relax.
Atherton, a city that brings together top resources, luxurious life and unlimited investment potential, is the only choice for those who pursue high-quality life and steady asset appreciation. If you also want to have a place in Atherton, want to know the current scarce luxury housing resources in Atherton, or have any questions about buying a house in Atherton, please contact us for exclusive Off-Market listings and customized housing purchase plans. We will help you realize your dream of a top life!
Editor: Axis Realty
Text｜Part of it comes from the Internet, for reference only
Pictures｜Part of them are from the Internet, the copyright belongs to the original author
Data｜Referenced from DataUSA, GreatSchools, Zillow, Redfin, IQAir and other platforms, combined with data from 2023-2025, some real estate prices and market trends are updated to the first half of 2025
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