Mountain View
cityMountain View, California, nestled in Santa Clara County, is a vibrant city within the San Francisco Bay Area, renowned as a cornerstone of Silicon Valley. As of 2020, the city's population was 82,376, with estimates placing it closer to 89,587 in 2026. Mountain View offers a blend of urban amenities and suburban charm, attracting a diverse population of tech professionals, families, and young adults. Mountain View's economy is heavily driven by the technology sector, with major employers like Google, Intuit, and Microsoft maintaining significant presences. The city is also home to the NASA Ames Research Center, further solidifying its role as a hub for innovation and scientific advancement. This concentration of high-tech industries contributes to a thriving job market and a high median household income. What sets Mountain View apart is its pivotal role in the history and evolution of Silicon Valley. From the establishment of Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory in 1956 to its current status as the headquarters of global tech giants, Mountain View has consistently been at the forefront of technological progress. The city also boasts a rich cultural scene, with attractions like the Computer History Museum and the Shoreline Amphitheatre, as well as numerous parks and trails that enhance the quality of life for its residents.
Mountain View, California
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 06-49670
- Country
- United States
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Region
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Elevation
- 105 ft
- Total Area
- 12.236 sq mi
- Land Area
- 11.958 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.278 sq mi
- Latitude
- 37.38611
- Longitude
- -122.08389
- Climate
- Mountain View has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The temperature typically varies from 44°F to 76°F.
- Notable Features
- Santa Cruz Mountains · San Francisco Bay
- Neighboring Areas
- Palo Alto · Los Altos · Sunnyvale
- Population (2020)
- 82,376
- Est. Population (2026)
- 89,587
- Median Age
- 35.5
- Median Income
- $189,917
- Poverty Rate
- 3.2%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial composition of Mountain View includes 39.61% White, 36.32% Asian, 6.67% other race, and smaller percentages for Black or African American, Native American and multiracial populations.
- Government Type
- Council–manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- Mountain View Whisman School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.5%
- Economic Profile
- Commercial · Technology-driven
- Employment Sectors
- Technology · Healthcare · Retail · Education
- Major Employers
- Google · Intuit · El Camino Hospital
- Schools
- 12
- Students
- 4,591
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19:1
- School Districts
- Mountain View Whisman School District · Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Carnegie Mellon University Silicon Valley
- Transportation
- U.S. Route 101 · State Route 85 · Caltrain · VTA Light Rail · Buses · MVgo Shuttles
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Gas & Electric · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- El Camino Hospital
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Shoreline Park · Stevens Creek Trail
- Parks & Trails
- Shoreline Park · Stevens Creek Trail · City Parks
- Founded
- 1852
- Incorporated
- 1902
- Named After
- Views of the Santa Cruz Mountains
- Historical Significance
- Integral to the early history and growth of Silicon Valley
- Key Events
- Settled as a stagecoach station · Became a shipping point for fruit and grain · Home to Moffett Field Naval Air Station · Establishment of NASA Ames Research Center
