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Los Gatos

city

Los Gatos is a town in Santa Clara County, California, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco. As of 2026, its population is estimated to be around 32,719. Known for its charming, small-town atmosphere and pedestrian-oriented downtown, Los Gatos offers a blend of residential, commercial, and light industrial areas. The town is closely tied to Silicon Valley's economy, hosting over 3,000 businesses. Key industries include technology, healthcare, retail, and education. Netflix, a major streaming service, is headquartered in Los Gatos, contributing significantly to the local economy. The downtown area, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, attracts visitors with its restaurants, hotels, and specialty shops. Los Gatos is distinctive for its blend of historic charm and modern innovation. With a strong sense of community, excellent schools, and numerous parks and recreational opportunities, it offers a high quality of life. The town's location provides easy access to both the cultural amenities of the San Francisco Bay Area and the natural beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Los Gatos, California

Overview

Classification: Town
Country: United States
County: Santa Clara County

Geography

Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Elevation: 423 ft
Total Area: 11.6 sq mi
Land Area: 11.5 sq mi
Water Area: 0.077 sq mi
Latitude: 37.2244
Longitude: -121.9753
Climate: Mild Mediterranean climate with dry, warm summers and temperate, semi-moist winters.
Notable Features: Santa Cruz Mountains · Los Gatos Creek · El Sereno Mountain · El Sombroso Mountain
Neighboring Areas: San Jose · Campbell · Monte Sereno · Saratoga

Demographics

Population (2020): 33,529
Est. Population (2026): 32,719
Median Age: 44.7
Median Income: $217,554
Poverty Rate: 4.19%
Family Households: 70.3%
Owner-Occupied: 62.5%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: The racial composition of Los Gatos includes 63.92% White, 20.9% Asian, 3.14% other race, and smaller percentages for Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Governance

Government Type: Council-Manager
Governing Body: Town Council
Body Size: 5 members
School District: Los Gatos Union School District
Municipal Services: Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library

U.S. Congress

Padilla, Alex

Schiff, Adam B.

Schiff, Adam B.D

U.S. Representative

Huffman, Jared

Huffman, JaredD

U.S. Representative - District 2

Kiley, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 3

Thompson, Mike

Thompson, MikeD

U.S. Representative - District 4

McClintock, Tom

McClintock, TomR

U.S. Representative - District 5

Bera, Ami

U.S. Representative - District 6

Matsui, Doris O.

Matsui, Doris O.D

U.S. Representative - District 7

Garamendi, John

Garamendi, JohnD

U.S. Representative - District 8

Harder, Josh

U.S. Representative - District 9

DeSaulnier, Mark

DeSaulnier, MarkD

U.S. Representative - District 10

Pelosi, Nancy

U.S. Representative - District 11

Simon, Lateefah

Simon, LateefahD

U.S. Representative - District 12

Mullin, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 15

Khanna, Ro

U.S. Representative - District 17

Lofgren, Zoe

U.S. Representative - District 18

Panetta, Jimmy

Panetta, JimmyD

U.S. Representative - District 19

Fong, Vince

U.S. Representative - District 20

Costa, Jim

U.S. Representative - District 21

Valadao, David G.

Valadao, David G.R

U.S. Representative - District 22

Obernolte, Jay

Obernolte, JayR

U.S. Representative - District 23

Carbajal, Salud O.

Carbajal, Salud O.D

U.S. Representative - District 24

Ruiz, Raul

U.S. Representative - District 25

Brownley, Julia

Brownley, JuliaD

U.S. Representative - District 26

Whitesides, George

Whitesides, GeorgeD

U.S. Representative - District 27

Chu, Judy

U.S. Representative - District 28

Rivas, Luz M.

U.S. Representative - District 29

Friedman, Laura

Friedman, LauraD

U.S. Representative - District 30

Cisneros, Gilbert Ray

Cisneros, Gilbert RayD

U.S. Representative - District 31

Sherman, Brad

U.S. Representative - District 32

Aguilar, Pete

U.S. Representative - District 33

Gomez, Jimmy

U.S. Representative - District 34

Torres, Norma J.

Torres, Norma J.D

U.S. Representative - District 35

Lieu, Ted

U.S. Representative - District 36

Kamlager-Dove, Sydney

Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD

U.S. Representative - District 37

Sánchez, Linda T.

Sánchez, Linda T.D

U.S. Representative - District 38

Takano, Mark

U.S. Representative - District 39

Kim, Young

U.S. Representative - District 40

Calvert, Ken

U.S. Representative - District 41

Garcia, Robert

Garcia, RobertD

U.S. Representative - District 42

Waters, Maxine

Waters, MaxineD

U.S. Representative - District 43

Barragán, Nanette Diaz

Barragán, Nanette DiazD

U.S. Representative - District 44

Tran, Derek

U.S. Representative - District 45

Correa, J. Luis

Correa, J. LuisD

U.S. Representative - District 46

Min, Dave

U.S. Representative - District 47

Issa, Darrell

U.S. Representative - District 48

Levin, Mike

U.S. Representative - District 49

Peters, Scott H.

Peters, Scott H.D

U.S. Representative - District 50

Jacobs, Sara

U.S. Representative - District 51

Vargas, Juan

U.S. Representative - District 52

Economy

Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Economic Profile: Residential / suburban · Commercial
Employment Sectors: Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services · Manufacturing · Health Care & Social Assistance
Major Employers: Netflix · El Camino Hospital Los Gatos

Education

Students: 2,673
Teachers: 129
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20.9:1
School Districts: Los Gatos Union School District · Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District

Infrastructure

Transportation: State Route 17 · Highway 85 · Los Gatos Creek Trail
Utilities: Municipal water · Fiber/broadband
Major Facilities: El Camino Hospital Los Gatos

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Vasona Lake County Park · Los Gatos Creek Trail · Lexington Reservoir
Parks & Trails: Vasona Park · Oak Meadow Park · Los Gatos Creek Trail

History

Founded: 1850s
Incorporated: 1887
Named After: Mountain lions and bobcats in the area, from the Spanish name La Rinconada de Los Gatos ('The Corner of the Cats').
Historical Significance: From its origins as a milling and logging town, Los Gatos has evolved into a vibrant Silicon Valley community, retaining its historic charm and strong sense of community.
Key Events: Establishment of Forbes Mill in the mid-1850s. · Incorporation in 1887. · Logging industry in the late 19th century. · Transition to agricultural town in the early 20th century. · Suburban development after World War II.