View source for Alamo, California

{{Short description|Unincorporated community in California, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Alamo, California 
|settlement_type          = [[Unincorporated Community]]<br> [[Census Designated Place]]
|image_skyline            = Alamo, CA 001.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Alamo
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = Contra_Costa_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Alamo_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Contra Costa County, California|Contra Costa County]] and the state of [[California]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|pushpin_relief           = 1
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|California}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Contra Costa County, California|Contra Costa]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = [[California's 9th State Senate district|State Senator]]
|leader_name1             = {{Representative|casd|9|fmt=sleader}}<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators
 |title=Senators
 |access-date=March 28, 2013
|publisher=State of California}}</ref>
|leader_title2            = [[California's 16th State Assembly district|State&nbsp;Assembly]]
|leader_name2             = {{Representative|caad|16|fmt=sleader}}<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers
 |title=Members Assembly
 |access-date=March 28, 2013
|publisher=State of California}}</ref>
|leader_title3            = [[California's 10th congressional district|U. S. Congress]]
|leader_name3             = [[Mark DeSaulnier]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/CA/10|title=California's 10th Congressional District - CA-10 Representatives & District Map|website=GovTrack.us}}</ref>
|established_date         = 
<!-- Area------------------>
|area_magnitude           = 
| unit_pref               = Imperial
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 30, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi        = 9.82
| area_land_sq_mi         = 9.82
| area_water_sq_mi        = 0.00
| area_total_km2          = 25.42
| area_land_km2           = 25.42
| area_water_km2          = 0.00
| area_water_percent      = 0
| area_note               = 
|elevation_ft             = 259
|elevation_m              = 79
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 15314
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 602.38
|population_density_sq_mi = 1560.11
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|51|01|N|122|01|56|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 94507
|area_code                = [[Area code 925|925]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 06-00618
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
|blank1_info              = {{GNIS4|1657900}}, {{GNIS4|2407707}}
|footnotes                = 
|website                  = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}

'''Alamo''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Álamo''; meaning "[[Populus|poplar tree]]") is an [[Unincorporated area#United States|unincorporated community]] and [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Contra Costa County, California]], in the United States. It is a suburb located in the [[San Francisco Bay Area|San Francisco Bay Area's]] [[East Bay]] region, approximately {{convert|28|mi}} east of [[San Francisco]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.distancebetweencities.net/alamo_ca_and_san-francisco_ca/route|title=Map of Alamo, CA and San Francisco, CA}}</ref> Alamo is equidistant from the city of [[Walnut Creek, California|Walnut Creek]] and the incorporated town of [[Danville, California|Danville]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 15,314.

Police services are provided by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff. Fire and [[Emergency medical services|EMS]] services are provided by the [[San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District]].

Alamo has a median household income of $385,967 ({{as of|2022|lc=y}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Alamo CDP, California; Templeton CDP, California; Mayflower Village CDP, California; Cerritos city, California; Spring Valley CDP, California
|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/california/alamo
|access-date=19 August 2024}}</ref>
The average home price in Alamo is $2,400,000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.redfin.com/city/21136/CA/Alamo/housing-market|title=Alamo Housing Market: House Prices & Trends &#124; Redfin|website=www.redfin.com}}</ref> (as of January 2024). In August 2007, a group of citizens launched a new initiative to incorporate the community,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/08/06/residents-of-alamo-begin-path-to-cityhood/|title=Residents of Alamo begin path to cityhood|last=Benca|first=Jeanine|date=August 6, 2007|website=East Bay Times|language=en-US|access-date=April 6, 2019}}</ref> the latest in a series of attempts that go back to the early 1960s or before; it was defeated by referendum in March 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.danvilleweekly.com/story.php?story_id=5718|title=Incorporation's end|date=March 6, 2009|website=Danville Express|publisher=Danvilleweekly.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218080133/http://www.danvilleweekly.com/story.php?story_id=5718|archive-date=February 18, 2010|access-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref> Previous failed Alamo incorporation efforts always included parts of other nearby unincorporated areas: Alamo-Danville (1964)<ref name="museumsrv1">{{cite web |author=Museum of the San Ramon Valley |url=http://www.museumsrv.org/srvm_History_HomeRuleII.html |title=Museum of the San Ramon Valley&#124;History&#124;Home Rule II |publisher=Museumsrv.org |access-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103234445/http://www.museumsrv.org/srvm_History_HomeRuleII.html |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Alamo-Danville-San Ramon (1976).<ref name="museumsrv1"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Museum of the San Ramon Valley |url=http://www.museumsrv.org/srvm_history_HomeRuleIII.html |title=Museum of the San Ramon Valley&#124;History&#124;Home Rule III |publisher=Museumsrv.org |date=June 8, 1982 |access-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103233747/http://www.museumsrv.org/srvm_history_HomeRuleIII.html |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
Alamo was first inhabited by the Tatcan Indians over 5000 years ago. The Tatcan Indians, a [[Bay Miwok]] tribe closely connected to the Saclans of [[Walnut Creek, California|Walnut Creek]], lived in Alamo in the eighteenth century.

After [[Mission San José (California)|Mission San José]] was founded in 1797, its grazing area stretched throughout the [[San Ramon Valley]]. The Mexican land grant [[Rancho San Ramon (Pacheco-Castro)|Rancho San Ramon]] was deeded to [[Mariano Castro]] and his uncle Bartolo Pacheco in 1833. It covered modern-day [[Danville, California|Danville]] and Alamo. Castro owned the northern half, which included Alamo.

[[File:Alamo, CA 002.jpg|thumb|left|Alamo, CA looking East towards Mount Diablo.]]
In 1843 much of the Alamo, Las Trampas and Tice Valley areas were granted to brothers Inocencio and José Romero. It was called Rancho El Sobrante de San Ramon. Because of missing title papers, the brothers lost their ranch in American courts in 1857.

Pioneers Mary Ann and John Jones traveled through Alamo in 1847. She provided the earliest English description of the area in her diary. Her husband stopped the wagon saying, "Mary, look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?" She wrote later:

<blockquote>''On every side, the valley and surrounding hills were covered with thick, velvety clover, and with wild oats standing waist high waving and rippling in the summer breeze, like the bosom of a lake.''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/historycontraco00hulagoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/historycontraco00hulagoog/page/n143 97]|quote= On every side, the valley and surrounding hills were covered with thick, velvety clover, and with wild oats standing waist high waving and rippling in the summer breeze, like the bosom of a lake.|title=The History of Contra Costa County. California|last=Hulaniski|first=Frederick J.|date=1917-01-01|publisher=Elms Publishing Company|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>
The Jones family returned to Alamo in 1851, after California had become a state. John became the first postmaster in 1852 and she applied her considerable energies to schooling children and beginning a Cumberland [[Presbyterian]] church. Other early Alamo founders included David Glass, George Engelmeyer, Silas and Susanna Stone, Captain Wall, Joshua Bollinger, and James Foster.

The area was named Alamo, which comes from the Spanish word ''álamo'', meaning "poplar" or "[[Populus sect. Aegiros|cottonwood]]." Alamo was named after the [[Alamo Mission in San Antonio]]. Because of its location and climate, Alamo grew quickly. An early road from the redwoods near Moraga ran through Tice Valley to Alamo, since Americans preferred [[Coast redwood|redwood]] for building materials instead of Mexican [[adobe brick]].

The Hemme, Bollinger, Jones and Stone ranches began by grazing cattle and raising wheat and other grains. In 1891 the Hemme train station was placed near today's Hemme Avenue; later it was renamed the Alamo station.

[[File:North Downtown Alamo CA.jpg|thumb|Looking south into downtown Alamo]]
Eventually orchards and vineyards spread across the area. Almonds, walnuts, pears, grapes and other fruit thrived in the temperate climate. In 1873, Alamo pioneer Myron Hall grafted Persian cuttings to native [[walnut]] trees and helped start the prosperous walnut industry in Contra Costa County. This "mother tree" was tended for over 100 years.

The Alamo post office is the oldest continuously operated one in the valley. It was always an important community gathering place. According to longtime postmaster Bertha Linhares, when the mail was expected the men <blockquote>''sat in the post office-store in the winter … the women went into our sitting room and visited with my mother … We always heard all the news and troubles of the Alamo residents.''{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}</blockquote> Her father, brother and sister were also postmasters from 1905 to 1960.

==Geography==
[[Image:Las Trampas Waterfall.jpg|thumb|right|A small cascade in the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness west of Alamo]]
Alamo is located in [[Contra Costa County, California|Contra Costa County]], at the northern end of the {{convert|20|mi}}-long San Ramon Valley between two [[California Coast Ranges|Coast Ranges]] − the Las Trampas Ridge to the west and the [[Diablo Range]] to the east.{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}} The city of [[San Ramon, California|San Ramon]] and the town of [[Danville, California|Danville]] are also located in this valley. Just to the north of Alamo lies the city of [[Walnut Creek, California|Walnut Creek]]. San Francisco and [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] lie {{convert|28|mi}} to the west and {{convert|46|mi}} to the south, respectively.{{Citation needed|date=October 2013}} A few miles to the east of Alamo stands the {{convert|3,864|ft}}-tall [[Mount Diablo]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|9.7|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

{{Geographic Location
|Center    = Alamo
|North     = [[Walnut Creek, California|Walnut Creek]]
|Northeast = [[Shell Ridge, California|Shell Ridge]]
|East      = [[Diablo, California|Diablo]]
|Southeast = [[Diablo, California|Diablo]], [[Danville, California|Danville]]
|South     = [[Danville, California|Danville]]
|Southwest = [[Las Trampas Regional Wilderness]]
|West      = [[Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, California|Rossmoor]], [[Moraga, California|Moraga]]
|Northwest = [[Lafayette, California|Lafayette]]
}}

===Climate===
Alamo experiences a warm-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Summer high temperatures are hot, but due to the high degree of seasonal [[diurnal temperature variation]], the mean temperature remains low enough to qualify as a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, staying below {{convert|71.6|F}}. Temperatures occasionally reach {{convert|100|F}} or higher in the warmest months, and frost occurs on some clear mornings during the coldest months.{{Citation needed|date=October 2013}} There are, on average 42 days per annum with at least {{convert|0.1|inch}} of rain (days when it is considered useful to carry an umbrella). During cold winter storms, snow can fall on top of nearby Mount Diablo, but very seldom falls in the Valley.

{{Weather box|width=60%
|location = Alamo, California
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 	55.5	|Jan mean F = 	47.5	|Jan low F = 	39.5	|Jan precipitation inch = 		4.93
|Feb high F = 	60.4	|Feb mean F = 	51.1	|Feb low F = 	41.8	|Feb precipitation inch = 		4.94
|Mar high F = 	64.6	|Mar mean F = 	54.2	|Mar low F = 	43.9	|Mar precipitation inch = 		3.56
|Apr high F = 	70.1	|Apr mean F = 	58.0	|Apr low F = 	45.9	|Apr precipitation inch = 		1.41
|May high F = 	74.8	|May mean F = 	62.3	|May low F = 	49.9	|May precipitation inch = 		0.96
|Jun high F = 	80.0	|Jun mean F = 	66.8	|Jun low F = 	53.5	|Jun precipitation inch = 		0.16
|Jul high F = 	85.6	|Jul mean F = 	70.6	|Jul low F = 	55.7	|Jul precipitation inch = 		0.02
|Aug high F = 	84.9	|Aug mean F = 	70.4	|Aug low F = 	56.0	|Aug precipitation inch = 		0.08
|Sep high F = 	82.3	|Sep mean F = 	68.5	|Sep low F = 	54.6	|Sep precipitation inch = 		0.17
|Oct high F = 	75.3	|Oct mean F = 	62.6	|Oct low F = 	49.9	|Oct precipitation inch = 		1.23
|Nov high F = 	64.0	|Nov mean F = 	53.9	|Nov low F = 	43.9	|Nov precipitation inch = 		2.89
|Dec high F = 	55.9	|Dec mean F = 	47.6	|Dec low F = 	39.4	|Dec precipitation inch = 		4.61
|year high F = 	71.1	|year mean F = 	59.5	|year low F = 	47.8	|year precipitation inch = 		24.98
|precipitation colour = green
|source=PRISM Climate Group<ref name="PRISM">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/
|publisher=Oregon State University
|title=PRISM Climate Group
|access-date=April 23, 2020
}} Input coordinates: 37.8501 N, 122.0348 W.</ref>
|date=October 2013
}}

===Parks===

====Andrew H. Young Park====
[[File:Aerial view of Andrew Young park.JPG|thumb|400px|Aerial view of Andrew Young park]]
Located at the corner of Danville Blvd. & Jackson Way, this 1 acre park is named in memory of Alamo resident Andrew H. Young, who served as chairman of the county Planning Commission in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cocohistory.com/youngpark.html|title = Andrew H. Young Memorial Park}}</ref>

====Livorna Park====
[[File:Aerial view of Livorna Park.JPG|thumb|400px|Aerial view of Livorna Park]]
Located at the corner of Livorna Road & Miranda Avenue, this 4.4-acre neighborhood park features a large open-air gazebo, a bocce ball court, a multi-use sports court, playground structures, large play areas, drinking fountain, restrooms, two barbecue areas, ample grassed area and off-street parking. The park typically hosts a children's Easter egg hunt each year on Easter Sunday. This is organized by the Rotary Club of Alamo.

====Rancho Romero School Sports Field and Park====
Located at 180 Hemme Avenue, this 5.4-acre park features soccer and softball fields, playground structures and restroom facilities. Note that it is open to the public only after normal school hours.<ref name="co.contra-costa.ca.us">{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Rancho Romero Sports Field and Park |url=https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3951/Rancho-Romero-PDF?bidId= |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=Contra Costa County}}</ref>

====Alamo School Sports Field====
Located at 100 Wilson Road, this 2.2-acre community park offers soccer and baseball fields, batting cages, two multi-use sport courts and a picnic area. Note that it is open to the public only after school hours.<ref name="co.contra-costa.ca.us" />

====Hap Magee Ranch Park====
[[File:Aerial view of Hap Magee Ranch Park showing childrens playground in the foreground, picnic area on the left and park area in the background.JPG|thumb|400px|Aerial view of Hap Magee Ranch Park showing children's playground in the foreground, picnic area on the left and park area in the background]]
Located on the Alamo-Danville Border at 1025 La Gonda Way. This 16.3-acre park has several historic structures and is managed jointly by Alamo and [[Danville, California|Danville]]. A barn façade at the park entrance memorializes the park's former use as a ranch for longhorn steer with the owner being Hap Magee during the years of 1953 and 1985.

Before the cattle ranch, the site was a summer camp for San Francisco orphans, known as Camp Swain. The property was purchased in 1874 by Captain Isaac and Ann Trasker Swain on behalf of an orphanage in San Francisco. The Swains thought the children should have a warm place to go during San Francisco's damp summers. In 1911 the San Francisco Protestant Orphanage first brought their children to Camp Swain. The orphans came to the valley from 1911 to 1952, using the train and then buses. There is a drinking fountain commemorating Camp Swain with a plaque and a brick rendering of children playing.

Today there are picnic facilities, children's water play area, a large meadow with a spectacular heritage oak, dog parks and off-street parking. The park sits near the intersection of the Iron Horse Trail and the Las Trampas to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alamore.org/mageehistory.htm|title=History of Hap Magee Ranch Park|website=www.alamore.org}}</ref>

====Las Trampas Regional Wilderness====
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness is a {{convert|5342|acre|adj=on|abbr=off|lk=on}} park<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebparks.org/parks/las_trampas |title=Las Trampas Regional Wilderness &#124; East Bay Regional Parks |publisher=Ebparks.org |access-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref> located to the immediate southwest of the town. The wilderness contains numerous plant and animal communities, including forested hillsides and riparian woods.

===Geology===

The Mount Diablo [[thrust fault]] runs through Alamo releasing small tremors about every other month. The fault line has never had a history of being dangerous. However, the [[Hayward Fault]], a close neighbor, is extremely active.

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1960= 1791
|1980= 8505
|1990= 12277
|2000= 15626
|2010= 14570
|2020= 15314
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br>1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County  |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050629/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=1960CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-c.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br><br /> ''Area reported as '''Alamo-Danville'''<br /> during the 1970 census,<br /> which recorded a population of 14,059.''<br>''(The two communities of Alamo and Danville<br> were again reported separately in 1980.)''
}}

Alamo first appeared as an unincorporated place in the [[1960 U.S. census]];<ref name=1960CensusCA1/> and then in the [[1970 U.S. census]] under the name '''Alamo-Danville''' after being joined with the community of [[Danville, California|Danville]]<ref name=1970CensusCA/> (Danville had a population of 3,585 in the 1960 Census).<ref name=1970CensusCA/> The two communities were again separated in the [[1980 United States census]] and redesignated as [[census designated place]]s.<ref name=1980CensusCA/> A portion of Alamo was carved out to form the [[Diablo, California|Diablo CDP]] prior to the [[2000 U.S. census]].<ref name=2000CensusCA/>

The [[2020 United States census]] reported that Alamo had a population of 15,314. The population density was {{convert|1,560.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Alamo was 76.4% [[White Americans|White]], 0.8% [[African Americans|African American]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 11.8% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 9.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 7.3% of the population.

The Census reported that 99.6% of the population lived in households, 0.4% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and none were institutionalized.

There were 5,392 households, out of which 32.4% included children under the age of 18, 74.2% were married-couple households, 3.4% were [[cohabitation|cohabiting]] couple households, 14.2% had a female householder with no partner present, and 8.3% had a male householder with no partner present. 14.2% of households were one person, and 9.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.83. There were 4,457 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (82.7% of all households).

The age distribution was 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% aged 18 to 24, 13.3% aged 25 to 44, 32.4% aged 45 to 64, and 24.3% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 49.6{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males.

There were 5,594 housing units at an average density of {{convert|569.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 5,392 (96.4%) were occupied. Of these, 91.3% were owner-occupied, and 8.7% were occupied by renters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alamo CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0600618 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alamo CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0600618 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref>

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income in 2023 was more than $250,000, and the [[per capita income]] was $144,575. About 0.4% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alamo CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0600618 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 25, 2025}}</ref>

==Education==
Public education in the majority of Alamo is provided by the [[San Ramon Valley Unified School District]].<ref name=ContraCostaSDmap>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06013_contra_costa/DC20SD_C06013.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Contra Costa County, CA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=December 25, 2022}}</ref>
There are three schools in total; two elementary schools and one middle school:
[[File:Aerial view of Alamo school during the annual hoedown celebration.JPG|thumb|400px|Aerial view of Alamo school during the annual hoedown celebration]]
*Alamo School: Today's Alamo Elementary School at 100 Wilson Road opened in 1965. It is the fourth Alamo school bearing the name. It has the original school bell from the 1880s in its courtyard. The dedication ceremony for the bell was March 22, 1974. The bell has a San Ramon Valley Historical Society plaque that commemorates the history of early education in Alamo. The three previous Alamo Schools were built near what is today the corner of Stone Valley Road West and Danville Boulevard. The first Alamo school was built back in 1871.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.museumsrv.org/srvm_vh_AlamoSchool.html |title=Museum of the San Ramon Valley&#124;History&#124;Alamo School |access-date=May 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508025045/http://www.museumsrv.org/srvm_vh_AlamoSchool.html |archive-date=May 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.museumsrv.org/MSRVMarkersOverview.html |title=Museum of the San Ramon Valley&#124;Markers&#124;Overview |access-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703035143/http://www.museumsrv.org/MSRVMarkersOverview.html |archive-date=July 3, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Rancho Romero Elementary School.jpg|thumb|Rancho Romero Elementary School]]
*Rancho Romero Elementary School: The school was originally built in 1959. At that time it consisted of 12 classrooms and a small teachers' room/office combination. In 1961, a main office, kindergarten, library, multi-use room and additional classrooms were added. At present, there are 556 students and 25 self-contained classrooms. Measure A funds were used during the 1993–94 school year for a $2.5 million reconstruction of the entire school. In 1998, Rancho was designated by the Alamo Parks and Recreation Committee (R7A) to receive $350,000 for field and playground renovations and to establish park amenities for the community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rres-srvusd-ca.schoolloop.com/aboutrancho|title = About Rancho}}</ref>
*Stone Valley Middle School is a [[Middle school|Middle School]] in the suburbs of Alamo. The school has a 21-1 student to teacher ratio. Stone Valley has been newly remodeled with a budget of around US$29 million. It has an estimated 560 students (52% boys and 48% girls).

A small portion of Alamo is in the [[Walnut Creek Elementary School District]]<!--ELM 41250--> and the [[Acalanes Union High School District]]<!--SEC 01650-->.<ref name=ContraCostaSDmap/>

==Transportation==
[[File:Aerial view of I680 passing through Alamo near Hap Magee Ranch Park.JPG|thumb|400px|Aerial view of [[Interstate 680 (California)|I-680]] passing through Alamo near Hap Magee Ranch Park]]
[[Interstate 680 (California)|Interstate 680]], running north–south, is the main highway serving the San Ramon Valley. It runs north through cities such as Walnut Creek and [[Concord, California|Concord]], providing access to [[Wine Country (California)|Wine Country]], [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] and [[Lake Tahoe]] (accessible via [[Interstate 80 in California|Interstate 80]]). Going south, I-680 passes through cities including [[Pleasanton, California|Pleasanton]] and [[Fremont, California|Fremont]], ultimately reaching [[San Jose, California|San Jose]].

[[California State Highway 24|State Highway 24]], which intersects I-680 in adjacent Walnut Creek, provides access to [[San Francisco]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] and [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]] via the [[Caldecott Tunnel]] running under the Berkeley Hills.

The closest [[Bay Area Rapid Transit]] (BART) station is {{bart|Walnut Creek}} on the {{lnl|BART|Yellow}}. [[County Connection]] routes 21 and 321, running on weekdays and weekends respectively, provide local bus service along Danville Boulevard in Alamo, south to Danville and San Ramon and north to Walnut Creek, terminating at the BART station.

==Notable people==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
* [[Brandon Belt]] - [[San Francisco Giants]] MLB player
* [[Joan Buchanan]] - former member of the [[California State Assembly]]
* [[Steven Burd]] - [[Safeway Inc.]] Supermarket president and CEO
* [[Stephen Curry]] - NBA player for the Golden State Warriors
* [[Mark Davis (American football)|Mark Davis]] - [[Oakland Raiders]] Owner
* [[David Duffield]] - billionaire co-founder of [[Workday, Inc]] and [[PeopleSoft]]
* [[Tony Eldridge]] - film producer, [[The Equalizer 2]], raised in Alamo.
* [[Mason Filippi]] - [[auto racing]] driver<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mason Filippi|url=https://jdcmotorsports.com/personnel/mason-filippi/|access-date=May 7, 2023|website=jdcmotorsports.com|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Bret Hedican]] - former [[Anaheim Ducks]] [[NHL]] player
* [[Vili Helu]] - [[rugby union]] player
* [[Greg Kent]] - ex [[American Football League|AFL]]/[[National Football League|NFL]] player for the [[Detroit Lions]] and [[Oakland Raiders]] 
* [[Greg Kragen]] - ex NFL player for the [[Denver Broncos]], [[Kansas City Chiefs]], and [[Carolina Panthers]]
* [[Tony La Russa]] - MLB manager of the Chicago White Sox
* [[Katherine Langford]] - actress
* [[JT Marcinkowski]] - soccer player<ref>{{Cite web |title=JT Marcinkowski |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/players/m/jt-marcinkowski |access-date=August 3, 2025 |website=[[United States Soccer Federation]]}}</ref>
* [[Mark McGwire]] - former MLB player
* [[Mike Moore (baseball)|Mike Moore]] - former [[Oakland Athletics]] pitcher
* [[Jason Newsted]] - former [[Metallica]] bassist
* [[Greg Sestero]] - actor, star of cult classic ''[[The Room]]'', author of ''[[The Disaster Artist]]'', raised in Alamo
* [[Alan Silvestri]] - composer and conductor known for his film and television scores.
* [[Ellen Tauscher]] - former Congresswoman for [[California's 10th congressional district]]
* [[Bree Turner]] - actress, starred on NBC's ''[[Grimm (TV series)|Grimm]]'', raised in Alamo
* [[Kristi Yamaguchi]] - [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medalist

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
;Notes
*{{gnis|1657900}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Alamo (California)}}
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.alamore.org Alamo Community Web Site]

{{Contra Costa County, California}}
{{SF Bay Area}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Contra Costa County, California]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in California]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Contra Costa County, California]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in California]]