Households in Richmond

Total population 103,012
   In households 101,384
   In group quarters 1,628
Total homes 37,217
   Single detached 21,069
   Single attached 2,931
   Multiple dwellings (2-4) 5,292
   Multiple dwellings (5+) 7,804
   Mobile homes 121
Total occupied homes 35,751
Percent vacant homes 3.94
Persons per household 2.836

Richmond offers a variety of housing options from the historic areas of Point Richmond on the shore of San Francisco Bay to the Richmond Hills, with views of the Oakland skyline to the south and Mount Tamalpais to the west. Easy access to freeways and the BART system permits convenient commuting to the Bay Area's major employment centers.

Prices of housing from condominiums to mansions vary from a few in the $200,000 range to some well over $1,000,000. The average residential property sale price in 2004 was $394,062. As of July 2005, that figure had increased to $465,846. A growing population and a scarcity of available housing stock continue to cause prices to increase and exacerbate the affordability challenge even further.

— Submitted by Terry Murphy, West Contra Costa Association of Realtors

You will find homes in all sizes, shapes and price ranges in Richmond. Affordable housing programs make home ownership available to those who otherwise might not afford the Bay Area. For more information, please contact the City of Richmond , (510) 307-8140, Community Housing Development Corporation, (510) 412-9290, or Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, (510) 237-6459.

A knowledgeable realtor is a must when you're buying real estate in Richmond. Go to our Membership Directory to find a local realtor.


Adopt-a-School Articles from Chamber News

Schools and the business community need one another. Recognizing the potential synergies in that relationship, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Richmond's school district have developed the Adopt-a-School program (download pdf). For more information on the School District, please visit its website, www.wccusd.k12.ca.us.

March, 2005: SimsMetal has adopted Nystrom School. This company has painted the interior of the school; they furnished a computer lab with 28 computers and desks with the help of General Chemical and Levin Terminals. They do mentoring and a boot camp at their facilities every Saturday for four months at a time. They sponsor holiday parties for the students. Mr. Jimmie Buckland, Plant Manager, has served as Principal for a Day. (SimsMetal also works with the Robotics class at Richmond High and gives them lots of lovely metal with which to build robots.)

Richmond Rotary has adopted Peres School. They provide each teacher with $100.00 to be spent in his/her classroom. They act as mentors and tutors. They read to students. They sponsor a Spirit of Excellence program where, if students meet eligibility requirements, they may be awarded a computer for their homes. Rotary has also donated computers as raffle prizes for Back to School Night, enticing more parents to come out and participate at the school. The Rotary Club shows the students, the families and the teachers that the community cares.

Dr. Dan Tanita, a Chamber member and past Rotary President, has started a free dental clinical at Peres School. Dan got the equipment for the onsite dental office donated and has Dentists who volunteer. They see 300 students, most of whom are screened and given a check-up and cleaning. It is usually the first time the student has ever seen a dentist. Those who stay at Peres get an annual check-up. Dental care has made a big difference in the lives of these children. Our hats are off to Dr. Tanita and his team.


April, 2005: Businesses are not the only entities that adopt local schools: many of Richmond's Neighborhood Councils do so also.

The May Valley N.C. has worked with its seven schools for several years, giving annual awards for one girl and one boy from each school who are recognized by their Principals and teachers as student leaders. The awards come with gifts of money and are given to the students when they still have a year to go at that school. May Valley supports many of the local schools' activities and publicizes them in its monthly newsletter.

The North & East N.C. has been working with Grant Elementary School in a variety of ways: The Shoes That Fit Program identifies kids in need of shoes and clothing which neighbors provide. The LINK Program (Linking the Interests of Neighbors and Kids) brings adults into the classroom one time to talk about a career, a hobby, a trip -- whatever the teacher asks for. In the past, the North & East Neighborhood Council painted the school and helped renovate the school's library.

The Santa Fe Neighborhood Council recently adopted Nystrom Elementary School and plans to tutor and mentor its students.


May, 2005: Chevron Richmond Refinery has a long history of working in the school district. Some of their most recent projects to support youth and education in West County include: