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Foster City, CA

Frequently asked questions

Foster City, CA
 

Foster City is a master-planned city located in San Mateo County, California, United States. Foster City is sometimes considered to be part of Silicon Valley for its local industry and its proximity to Silicon Valley cities. There are many notable companies headquartered in Foster City like Gilead Sciences, Zoox, Sledgehammer Games, and Replit. Visa used to be headquartered in Foster City.

The 2020 census put the population at 33,805, an increase of more than 10% over the 2010 census figure of 30,567. Foster City is one of the United States’ safest cities, with an average of one murder per decade

Foster City was founded in the 1960s, built on the existing Brewer Island in the marshes of the San Francisco Bay on the east edge of San Mateo, and enlarged with an engineered landfill. The city was named after T. Jack Foster, a real estate magnate who owned much of the land comprising the city and who was instrumental in its initial design. His firm, Foster Enterprises, now run by his descendants, relocated to San Mateo in 2000 and is still active in real estate affairs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

In the early 1960s, the first homes built in Foster City were sold for under $18,000. By the late 1960s, the average home price was just under $30,000. United States census data shows the median household income for Foster City residents in 1970 was $30,000 and in 1980 was $60,000. As of 2020, the median household income for Foster City was $161,000. In 2024, the average home value was $1,926,381.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.8 square miles (51 km2), of which 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) is land and 16.1 square miles (42 km2) is water. The total area is 81.07% water. Foster City has ongoing issues with water intrusion from the San Francisco Bay and is potentially subject to permanent inundation as the sea level rises. A project to improve the existing levee with a steel-reinforced wall has been underway since FEMA designated the entire area as a floodplain making residents subject to much higher flood insurance rates.

Foster City gives importance to health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Foster City Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Foster City Fitness Court, Orangetheory Gym, and The Body Studio For Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Foster City, such as the Levee Pedway and the Baywinds Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Foster City, CA are Filoli Historic House & Garden, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, and Leo J. Ryan Park.

Population: 32,180 (2023). ZIP code: 94404. Area code: 650. Elevation: 7 ft (2 m). Area: 19.8 square miles (51 km2).

FAQs

Is Foster City, CA a nice place to live?

Foster City is in San Mateo County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Foster City offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Foster City, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Foster City and residents tend to be liberal. 

Is Foster City, CA expensive to live in?

Foster City is part of the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City Metro Div. metro area, which is ranked 3 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Foster City is estimated to be 169.9% of the national average making it one of the most expensive cities in the US. The total monthly expenditure you can expect to incur depends on the cost of housing, food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other miscellaneous goods and services. 

What is the average household income in Foster City, CA?

In 2020, Foster City, CA had a population of 33.1k people with a median age of 38.9 and a median household income of $163,322. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Foster City, CA declined from 33,997 to 33,056, a −2.77% decrease and its median household income grew from $158,529 to $163,322, a 3.02% increase.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Foster City

Foster City’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Foster City Fitness Court

Orangetheory Gym 

The Body Studio For Fitness

Levee Pedway

Baywinds Park

Filoli Historic House & Garden

San Mateo-Hayward Bridge

Leo J. Ryan Park

Niche

Zero Down

Data USA

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