Downtown North, Palo Alto
Is Downtown North a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Palo Alto, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe444
Medium358
Low643
Other2313
191 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape48
Child involved148
Assault32
Other9
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, an 88-year-old female apparently fell and required lift assistance near Carolina Lane, cross streets Park Boulevard and Wilkie Way. | Wilkie Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, engine 64 is dispatched for a possible disabled vehicle assistance near Carolina Lane by Park Boulevard and Wilkie Way in Palo Alto. | Carolina Ln, Palo Alto, CA 94306 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical emergency response to an incident near Leander Drive close to Coleman Road and Strand Avenue in Station 17's area. | Leander Dr, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency appears to involve an 83-year-old female experiencing chest pain near Oak Creek Drive in Palo Alto. Multiple medical units responded and one unit was later canceled. | Oak Creek Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, dispatch reports a possible traffic accident near Glenheim Avenue by Tim and Dunbarton, with unit 41 responding under a Code 48. | Blenheim Ave, Redwood City, CA 94063 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic indicates a priority traffic accident reported near the 2700 block of Glenheim Avenue by the intersections with Kingman and Dunbarton, with unit 48 dispatched. | Blenheim Ave, Redwood City, CA 94063 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid was dispatched near Middlefield Road in Palo Alto for a 51-year-old man who is conscious and breathing and experiencing nausea and anxiety. Cross streets are University Avenue and Hamilton Avenue. | Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency response was dispatched to an address near Middlefield Road. | Middlefield Rd, Atherton, CA 94027 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, officers were dispatched to a possible domestic dispute at an apartment building on Middlefield Road, where a male reported being hit by a female partner. The parties had apparently separated, with the male waiting on an upper-floor hallway with two children while the female remained in the apartment and was reportedly throwing his belongings into the hallway. No prior history or weapons were reported. | Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063 | Domestic Dispute |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency services responded to a medical call near El Camino Real in Redwood City, involving unit (number withheld). | El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94063 | Medical Emergency |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$2,728,737
Average Rent
$4,967
Vacancy Rate
19.3%
Nearby neighborhoods
Downtown North Overview
Downtown North is an urban neighborhood in Palo Alto with a median home price of $2,728,737, placing it among the most expensive in California and the U.S.
The area features a high renter occupancy with many small to medium-sized apartments and a notable vacancy rate of 19.3%, higher than most U.S. neighborhoods.
UrbanHigh RentHigh VacancyExecutive Professionals
Quick Facts
| Graduate Degree Holders | 46.3% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Downtown North's housing stock is dominated by small to medium apartments and high-rise buildings, with a majority renter occupancy.
| Small Unit Share (1-2 bedrooms or studios) | 89.3% |
|---|---|
| Large Apartment Buildings | 71.4% |
| Housing Built 1970-1999 |
What buyers will notice right away
Most residences are renter occupied, reflecting a dynamic rental market.
Vacancy is notably high, which may indicate availability but also potential challenges.
The neighborhood has a near-record concentration of small apartments and studios.
Families & Lifestyle
Downtown North attracts highly educated professionals with urbane tastes and a strong presence of executives.
High owner occupancy often points to long-term residential stability.
A strong executive presence shapes the neighborhood's character.
Urban Sophisticates — Residents have refined tastes in arts and culture, living a big city lifestyle.
| Children in Poverty | 0.0% |
|---|---|
| Work From Home Rate | 40.4% |
| Bicycle Commute Rate | 5.0% |
Demographics
| Graduate Degree Holders | 46.3% |
|---|---|
| Executive & Professional Share | 84.5% |
| Income Rank | Top 15% |
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| Foreign Born | 45.8% |
| Top Languages | English (67.0%), Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Languages of India |
| Top Ancestries | Asian (24.9%), German (16.4%), Irish (11.6%), English (8.8%), Polish (5.6%) |
| Unique Ancestries | Lithuanian (3.2%), Welsh (4.3%) |
Commute
Most residents have short commutes with a significant share working from home or biking.
Downtown North offers a variety of commute options with a strong emphasis on remote work and biking.
Remote Work — A large share of residents work from home, reflecting a tech and creative economy.
Active Commutes — Bicycle commuting is notably high, supporting an active lifestyle.
| Work From Home | 40.4% |
|---|---|
| Bicycle Commute | 5.0% |
| Drive Alone | 33.6% |
| Carpool | 5.9% |
Homes for sale near 94301
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Downtown North?
The median home price is $2,728,737.
What is the vacancy rate in Downtown North?
The vacancy rate is 19.3%, higher than most U.S. neighborhoods.
How educated are residents in Downtown North?
46.3% of adults hold a graduate degree, one of the highest rates nationally.