Castro Valley, California

{{Short description|Unincorporated community in California, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Castro Valley, California | image_skyline = West Castro Valley.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Castro Valley, 2022 | settlement_type = [[Census-designated place|CDP]] | nickname = | named_for = Don [[Guillermo Castro (soldier)|Guillermo Castro]] | image_flag = | image_seal = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | mapframe-point = none | pushpin_map = United States San Francisco Bay Area##California##USA | pushpin_label = Castro Valley | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the San Francisco Bay Area##Location in California##Location in the United States | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{USA}} | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|California}} | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in California|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Alameda County, California|Alameda]] | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = [[California's 9th State Senate district|State Senate]] | leader_name1 = {{Representative|casd|9|fmt=sleader}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=18 March 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref> | leader_title2 = [[California's 20th State Assembly district|State Assembly]] | leader_name2 = {{Representative|caad|20|fmt=sleader}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=18 March 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref> | leader_title3 = [[California's 14th congressional district|U. S. Congress]] | leader_name3 = {{Representative|cacd|14|fmt=usleader}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|14|access-date=14 March 2013}}</ref> | established_date =  | 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 = 17.07 | area_land_sq_mi = 16.85 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.22 | area_water_percent = 1.68 | area_note = | elevation_ft = 161 | elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1658237|Castro Valley}}</ref> | population_footnotes = | population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] | population_note = | population_total = 66441 | population_urban = | population_metro = | population_density_sq_mi = 3943.55 | timezone = [[Pacific Standard Time|PST]] | utc_offset = -8 | timezone_DST = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]] | utc_offset_DST = -7 | coordinates_footnotes = <ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=23 April 2011|date=12 February 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> | coordinates = {{coord|37|41|39|N|122|05|11|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}} | website = | postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s | postal_code = 94546, 94552 | area_codes = [[Area codes 510 and 341|510, 341]] | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 06-11964 | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs | blank1_info = {{GNIS4|1658237}}, {{GNIS4|2407987}} | footnotes = | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | population_est = | area_total_km2 = 44.21 | area_land_km2 = 43.64 | area_water_km2 = 0.57 | population_density_km2 = 1522.58 }}

'''Castro Valley''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Alameda County, California]], United States. At the 2020 census, it was the fourth most populous [[unincorporated area]] in California.<ref>[[List of largest census-designated places in California]]</ref> The population was 66,441 at the 2020 census.<ref name="CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Castro Valley CDP, California|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/castrovalleycdpcalifornia|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref>

Castro Valley is named after [[Guillermo Castro (soldier)|Guillermo Castro]], a noted 19th-century Mexican Californio ranchero who owned the land where the community is located.

==History== [[File:Don Guillermo Castro (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Castro Valley is named after Don [[Guillermo Castro (soldier)|Guillermo Castro]], a noted Mexican Californio ranchero who owned much of the area.]] Before the arrival of European settlers the area was settled by the ''[[Chochenyo people|Chocheño]]'' (also spelled ''Chochenyo'' or ''Chocenyo'') subdivision of the [[Ohlone people|Ohlone]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]].

With the arrival of Europeans, they established [[Mission San José (California)|Mission San Jose]] in 1797. The area Castro Valley now occupies was part of the extensive colony of [[New Spain]] in what was the province of [[Alta California]].

Castro Valley was part of the original 28,000 acre (110 km{{sup|2}}) land grant given to Castro in 1840, called [[Rancho San Lorenzo (Castro)|Rancho San Lorenzo]]. This land grant included [[Hayward, California|Hayward]], [[San Lorenzo, California|San Lorenzo]], and Castro Valley, including Crow Canyon, Cull Canyon, and Palomares Canyons. Castro had a gambling habit and had to sell off portions of his land to pay gambling debts. The last of his holding was sold in a sheriff's sale in 1864 to [[Faxon Atherton]] for $400,000.<ref name="Gudde">Gudde, Erwin Gustav. "California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names" University of California Press 2004. 495 pp.</ref>

Atherton (after whom the town of [[Atherton, California|Atherton]] is named<ref name="Gudde"/>) in turn began selling off his portion in smaller parcels. Two men named Cull (the namesake of Cull Canyon) and Luce bought some 2,400 acres (10 km{{sup|2}}) and began running a steam-operated saw mill in Redwood Canyon. The Jensen brothers also bought land from Atherton in 1867.

In 1866, Redwood school was built, the first public school in the area. Many Portuguese families immigrated to the surrounding canyons (especially Palomares Canyon) and farmed large amounts of land, where their descendants remain today. In the 1870s, Lake Chabot, a reservoir and popular park, was built by Chinese laborers living at Camp Yema-Po. During the 1940s and 1950s, Castro Valley was known for its chicken ranches. Later it developed into a [[bedroom community]], where workers live and commute to their jobs in the surrounding communities.<ref name="Lorge">Lorge, L, Phelps, R, Weston, D. "Castro Valley" Arcadia Publishing, 2005. 128 pp.</ref>

==Geography== [[Lake Chabot]] lies in the northwest part of Castro Valley. Directly to the west is [[San Leandro, California|San Leandro]]. [[Hayward, California|Hayward]] is to the south. [[Dublin, California|Dublin]], [[Pleasanton, California|Pleasanton]], and [[San Ramon, California|San Ramon]] are to the east.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Chabot Regional Park {{!}} East Bay Regional Park District |url=https://www.ebparks.org/parks/lake-chabot |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.ebparks.org |language=en}}</ref>

The eastern hills of Castro Valley constitute the headwaters of the [[San Lorenzo Creek]] watershed and the origin of several creeks that flow into San Lorenzo Creek: Bolinas, Castro Valley, Chabot, Crow, Cull, Eden, Hollis, Kelly Canyon, Norris, and Palomares Creeks. [[Image:CastroValleyFreeway.jpg|thumb|Interstate 580, with [[BART]] tracks in the center, near east Castro Valley]]

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1940= 4145 |1960= 37120 |1970= 44760 |1980= 44011 |1990= 48619 |2000= 57292 |2010= 61388 |2020= 66441 |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> 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]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126025002/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf| archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</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]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202095153/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf| archive-date=February 2, 2025}}</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]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311213742/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf| archive-date=March 11, 2025}}</ref> 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]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304013034/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf| archive-date=March 4, 2025}}</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=February 4, 2025|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404180724/https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050629/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf| archive-date= April 4, 2025}}</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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428023259/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf| archive-date=April 28, 2025}}</ref> 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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317202706/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf| archive-date= March 17, 2025}}</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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126024959/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf | archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219112141/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf | archive-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322000358/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-c.pdf| archive-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref><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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322000356/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf | archive-date=March 22, 2025}}</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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226084958/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf | archive-date=February 26, 2025}}</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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126024959/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf | archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref> 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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126025005/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf| archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322000357/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf| archive-date=March 22, 2025}}</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]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328034325/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf| archive-date=March 28, 2025}}</ref> 2020 | align = right }}

Castro Valley first appeared as an unincorporated community in the [[1960 U.S. census]];<ref name=1960CensusCA/> and as a [[census-designated place]] in the [[1980 United States census]].<ref name=1980CensusCA/>

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Castro Valley CDP, California – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Castro Valley CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0611964&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Castro Valley CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0611964&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Castro Valley CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0611964&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |36,992 |30,398 |style='background: #ffffe6; |24,412 |64.57% |49.52% |style='background: #ffffe6; |36.74% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |2,868 |4,064 |style='background: #ffffe6; |3,993 |5.01% |6.62% |style='background: #ffffe6; |6.01% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |205 |160 |style='background: #ffffe6; |141 |0.36% |0.26% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.21% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |7,649 |12,975 |style='background: #ffffe6; |20,174 |13.35% |21.14% |style='background: #ffffe6; |30.36% |- |[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |240 |374 |style='background: #ffffe6; |278 |0.42% |0.61% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.42% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |154 |148 |style='background: #ffffe6; |454 |0.27% |0.24% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.68% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH) |2,200 |2,580 |style='background: #ffffe6; |4,167 |3.84% |4.20% |style='background: #ffffe6; |6.27% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |6,984 |10,689 |style='background: #ffffe6; |12,822 |12.19% |17.41% |style='background: #ffffe6; |19.30% |- |'''Total''' |'''57,292''' |'''61,388''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''66,441 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Castro Valley had a population of 66,441 and a population density of {{convert|3,943.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The census reported that 98.9% of residents lived in households, 0.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.8% were institutionalized.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A11964&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 23,218 households, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 56.1% were married-couple households, 5.9% were [[cohabitation|cohabiting]] couple households, 23.6% had a female householder with no partner present, and 14.4% had a male householder with no partner present. About 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83.<ref name="Census2020DP"/> There were 17,369 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (74.8% of all households).<ref name=P16>{{cite web |title=Castro Valley CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=160XX00US0611964 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 20, 2025}}</ref>

The age distribution was 21.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% aged 18 to 24, 26.3% aged 25 to 44, 27.8% aged 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 40.9{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 23,941 housing units, of which 3.0% were vacant. Of the occupied units, 67.2% were owner-occupied and 32.8% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.2%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

99.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.3% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A11964&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=March 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A11964&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | [[White Americans|White]] || 26,776 || 40.3% |- | [[African Americans|Black or African American]] || 4,233 || 6.4% |- | [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]] || 565 || 0.9% |- | [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 20,443 || 30.8% |- | [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Other Pacific Islander]] || 335 || 0.5% |- | Some other race || 5,316 || 8.0% |- | [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]] || 8,773 || 13.2% |- | ''[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race)'' || 12,822 || 19.3% |}

===2023 American Community Survey===

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 30.8% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 58.5% spoke only English at home, 9.5% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]], 5.9% spoke other [[Indo-European languages]], 22.9% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 3.2% spoke other languages.<ref name=CP02>{{cite web |title=Castro Valley CDP, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSCP5Y2023.CP02?g=160XX00US0611964 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 20, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Rowellrodeoparksign.jpg|thumb|Rowell Rodeo Park]] ==Economy== The economy of Castro Valley consists largely of the provision of goods and services for local residents. Being a primarily residential community, only about 5% of the area has been developed for commercial uses.<ref>{{cite book|title=Castro Valley General Plan 2012|chapter-url=http://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/documents/Chapter-4-Land-Use-and-Development.pdf|chapter=Ch. 4}}</ref>

The greatest number of people (6,683) are employed by the health care and social assistance industry, followed by the retail trade industry with 1,073 employees and accommodation and food service with 1,044 employees.<ref name=econstats>{{cite web|title=Castro Valley, CDP. U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Economic Census, 2012 Economic Census of Island Areas, and 2012 Nonemployer Statistics.|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ECN/2012_US/00A1/E600000US0600111964|access-date=10 August 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213154907/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ECN/2012_US/00A1/E600000US0600111964|archive-date=13 February 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The health care and social assistance industry provided $1.1 billion in sales, shipments, receipts or revenue in 2012, which is the highest of all industries, and it is followed by the retail trade industry, which had a value of $324.1 million in sales, shipments, receipts or revenue.<ref name=econstats />

The median household income of residents was $138,069 in 2023, compared to a median income of $126,240 for all of Alameda County. The [[per capita income]] was $58,843, compared to $63,442 in all of Alameda County. The poverty rate was 7.5%, compared to 9.2% in all of Alameda County.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alameda County, California and Castro Valley CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=050XX00US06001_160XX00US0611964|access-date=March 30, 2025|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

==Art and culture== [[File:HCM OCA site.jpg|thumb|left|[[Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery (Castro Valley, California)|Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery]]]] Castro Valley is one of the sites where [[Joseph Eichler]] built some of the 10,000 or so homes he built in the Bay Area.<ref name="sfgate">{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Vanishing-Eichlers-Devotees-try-to-curb-loss-of-3304698.php|title=Vanishing Eichlers / Devotees try to curb loss of 1950s-era modernist tract homes|last=Jones|first=Carolyn|date=8 June 2000|work=San Francisco Chronicle|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|access-date=22 February 2010}}</ref> Castro Valley has a one-screen movie theater, the Chabot Cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.thechabot.com/about |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=The Chabot |language=en-US}}</ref> The Castro Village complex on Castro Valley Boulevard is widely considered the commercial center of town.<ref name="Castro Village Shopping Center">{{cite web|url=http://www.castrovillage.com/ |title=Castro Village Shopping Center |publisher=Castrovillage.com |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> The [[Harry Rowell Rodeo Ranch]] is located in Castro Valley and is managed by the [[Hayward Area Recreation and Park District]]. Rodeos are held there regularly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rowellranchrodeo.com/ |title=index |publisher=Rowellranchrodeo.com |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref>

===Historical landmarks and museums=== {{Infobox historic site | name = Site of the first public school in Castro Valley | location = 19200 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, California | designation1 = California | designation1_number = 776<ref name=CHL/> | coordinates = {{coord|37.7067|-122.073983|region:US-CA_source:gnis-218162_type:landmark|display=inline}} }}

====First public school in Castro Valley====

The first public school in Castro Valley is a designated [[California Historical Landmarks|California Historical Landmark]]. A plaque is placed at the original site. The one-room schoolhouse was donated for "educational purposes only," by [[Josiah Grover Brickell]] in 1866. Brickell provided the salary for the first teacher. During the day the teacher taught children and in the evening they taught farmhands.<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|776|Site of the first public school in Castro Valley|5 October 2012}}</ref> The school burned down in 1901. It was rebuilt and burned down again in 1920. A new school was built on another property.<ref name=Christian>{{cite web|last=Christian|first=John|title=Other Early Castro Valley Schools (That Weren't Borrowed, Stolen, Or Made to Disappear)|url=http://castrovalley.patch.com/blog_posts/other-early-castro-valley-schools-that-werent-borrowed-stolen-or-made-to-disappear|work=Local Voices|publisher=Hayward Area Historical Society|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref>

====Adobe Art Gallery==== The Adobe Art Gallery is a program operated by the [[Hayward Area Recreation and Park District]] promoting the visual arts and uses the Adobe building, built as a [[Works Progress Administration]] project in 1936.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adobe Art Gallery|url=http://www.adobegallery.org/about|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>

==Law and government== Castro Valley is an unincorporated community and thus is governed directly by the County of Alameda. There is no city police force, with policing provided by the [[Alameda County Sheriff's Office]] and the [[California Highway Patrol]]. Most of the community has fire protection provided by the [[Alameda County Fire Department]], while the Five Canyons neighborhood has fire protection provided by the Fairview Fire Protection District. Castro Valley Sanitary District<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cvsan.org|title=Castro Valley Sanitary District - Effective environmental services since 1939|work=cvsan.org|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> provides refuse and sewer collection services for the majority of the community, with wastewater processed at the Oro Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant in [[San Lorenzo, California|San Lorenzo]].

Efforts to incorporate Castro Valley have been voted down by its residents at the polls in both 1956 and 2002.<ref name="Lorge"/><ref>{{Cite news| last = Holzmeister| first = Karen| title = C.V. had city plans way back in 1949; Incorporation last| work = The Daily Review (Hayward, CA)}}</ref> In lieu of a city council, Castro Valley is represented by a seven-member Municipal Advisory Council, which is an advisory body appointed to advise the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on local issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Castro Valley MAC|url=http://www.cvmac.com|website=Castro Valley MAC}}</ref>

==Education== According to the 2019–2023 American Community Survey, educational attainment for Castro Valley residents at least 25 years old is 90.4% high school graduate and 43.9% bachelor's degree.<ref name=CP02/>

===Public schools=== Castro Valley is primarily served by the [[Castro Valley Unified School District]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cv.k12.ca.us/|title=Welcome to CVUSD — Castro Valley Unified|work=cv.k12.ca.us|access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref> though portions of it are served by the [[Hayward Unified School District]] (South of I-580 and West of Grove Way) and the [[San Lorenzo Unified School District]] (westernmost part). Overall, the Castro Valley Unified School District serves more than 9,000 students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=0607800&DistrictID=0607800|title=Castro Valley Unified|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

The main high school is [[Castro Valley High School]] with over 2,700 students.<ref>{{cite web |year=2024 |title=Castro Valley High School Overview 2024 by USNews |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/california/districts/castro-valley-unified-school-district/castro-valley-high-school-1909 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Castro Valley also has [[Redwood Alternative High School|Redwood High School]], an alternative high school with approximately 118 students in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=0607800&ID=060780000744|title=Redwood Continuation High|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> * Castro Valley has two public middle schools: Canyon Middle School and Creekside Middle School. * Castro Valley has nine public elementary schools: Castro Valley, Chabot, Independent, Jensen Ranch, Marshall, Palomares, Proctor, Stanton, and Vannoy.

The school district includes the Castro Valley Adult School.

===Private schools=== There is also a Roman Catholic school, called Our Lady of Grace (K–8), which is part of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland]]. Redwood Christian Schools has one elementary school (K–5) Redwood Christian Elementary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcs.edu/|title=Redwood Christian Schools|year=2008|publisher=Redwood Christian Schools|access-date=19 November 2008}}</ref>

==Transportation== [[File:CastroValleyThruthesunroof.jpg|thumb|left|Castro Valley traffic]] [[Interstate 580 (California)|Interstate 580]], which approaches from the east, makes a turn northward at Castro Valley. [[Interstate 238]], which originates in Castro Valley, connects I-580 to [[Interstate 880 (California)|Interstate 880]]. In addition to being served by those two freeways, Castro Valley is served with public transportation by bus system [[AC Transit]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Line 28: Alvarado - Castro Valley - B St. {{!}} Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District |url=https://www.actransit.org/bus-lines-schedules/28 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.actransit.org}}</ref> and rapid transit system [[BART]] with a [[Castro Valley (BART)|station]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Castro Valley {{!}} Bay Area Rapid Transit |url=https://www.bart.gov/stations/cast |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.bart.gov}}</ref>

The primary local east–west arterial road is Castro Valley Boulevard, while Lake Chabot Road, Redwood Road and Crow Canyon Road are the major north–south arterials.<ref>{{cite book|title=Castro Valley General Plan|chapter-url=http://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/documents/Chapter-6-Circulation.pdf|chapter=Ch. 6}}</ref>

Historically, Castro Valley Boulevard was part of the first transcontinental highway system, the [[Lincoln Highway]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Map of the Lincoln Highway|url=http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/map/|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref>

Through BART, Castro Valley has links to all three of the San Francisco Bay Area's major commercial airports, though the closest by distance is [[Oakland International Airport]].

[[Image:Castrovalleyneighborhoodchurch.jpg|thumb|upright|The three crosses of the Neighborhood Church form a prominent local landmark.]] [[Image:Castrovalleyeaster2004.jpg|thumb|Palomares Hills (on the east side of Castro Valley) looking south toward Palomares Canyon]]

[[File:Edenmedicalcenternewconstruction.jpg|thumb|Eden Medical Center]]

==Services== [[Eden Medical Center]] operates in Castro Valley. It is a [[Sutter Health]] facility, and provides basic [[emergency medical services]] for the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edenmedicalcenter.org/|title=Eden Medical Center|work=edenmedicalcenter.org|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> Castro Valley Sanitary District runs wastewater treatment facilities, and was selected as California's best small wastewater system in 2002 and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/california/castrovalley/cvsan-named-best-small-sewer-system-california|title=CVSan Named Best Small Sewer System in California|date=2019-04-18|website=Castro Valley, CA Patch|language=en|access-date=2019-10-17}}</ref>

==Notable people== {{colbegin|colwidth=33em}} * [[Christopher Andersen]], journalist, former editor of ''Time'' and ''People'' magazines, No. 1 ''New York Times'' bestselling author * [[Mac Barnett]], author * [[Amy Berg (writer)|Amy Berg]], television writer and producer<ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0073693/bio {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date= March 2022}}</ref> * [[David Bingham (American soccer)|David Bingham]], soccer player<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sjearthquakes.com/player/david-bingham |title= David Bingham | San Jose Earthquakes|website=www.sjearthquakes.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905020636/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/player/david-bingham |archive-date=5 September 2011}}</ref> * [[Mike Bordin]], co-founder and drummer of Faith No More, as well as drummer for [[Black Sabbath]], [[Korn]] and [[Ozzy Osbourne]], attended [[Castro Valley High School]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+states/california/hayward/ez-street|title=MusicMight :: Artists :: EZ-STREET|work=rockdetector.com|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> * [[Lilan Bowden]], actress, comedian, and filmmaker. * [[Brodie Brazil]], Emmy Award-winning reporter for [[Comcast SportsNet Bay Area]]/[[Comcast SportsNet California]] and [[San Jose Sharks]] sideline reporter<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/snc_bios |title=SportsNet Central Bios | CSNBayArea.com | CSNCalifornia.com |publisher=CSNBayArea.com |date=10 September 2012 |access-date=15 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216084537/http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/snc_bios |archive-date=16 December 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> * [[Darren Brazil]], editor for [[Comcast SportsNet Bay Area]]<ref>[[Darren Brazil]]</ref> * [[Cliff Burton]] (deceased), former bassist of [[Metallica]], attended [[Castro Valley High School]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/magazine/article/MODERN-MATURITY-3498812.php|title=MODERN MATURITY: Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich on how his band has survived the tests of time and the rock life|last=Ganahl|first=Jane|date=30 August 1998|work=San Francisco Examiner|publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc.|access-date=16 November 2008}}</ref> * [[Jason Castro (baseball)|Jason Castro]], Major League Baseball catcher for the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]], born in Castro Valley<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/It-s-easy-to-see-that-catchers-are-rising-stars-2719260.php | title=It's easy to see that catchers are rising stars / Six rated among nation's top 40 | first=Rusty | last=Simmons | date=30 March 2005 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> * [[Frank Cepollina]], engineer * [[Sarah Clatterbuck]], computer engineer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.behindthetech.org/sarah-clatterbuck|title=Sarah Clatterbuck|website=Behind the Tech|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> * [[Tim Davis (American football)|Tim Davis]], football coach * [[Jack Del Rio]], former head coach of NFL's [[Oakland Raiders]], born in Castro Valley<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7293624/jacksonville-jaguars-fire-longtime-coach-jack-del-rio-sell-team |title=Jaguars sack Jack Del Rio, will sell team |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> * [[Val Diamond]] of [[Beach Blanket Babylon]]<ref name="The Gate">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/eguide/profile/arc98/val-diamond.shtml |title=Profile: Val Diamond |last=Klatte |first=Arline |work=E-Guide Entertainment on the Gate |publisher=Hearst Communications Inc. |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704135632/http://www.sfgate.com/eguide/profile/arc98/val-diamond.shtml |archive-date=4 July 2008 }}</ref> * [[Garret Dillahunt]], actor, ''[[No Country for Old Men (film)|No Country For Old Men]]'', born in Castro Valley<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0226813|title=Garret Dillahunt|work=IMDb|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> * [[Craig Ferguson (ice hockey)|Craig Ferguson]], Canadian ice hockey player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1647 |title=Craig Ferguson (b. 1970) hockey statistics and profile at |publisher=Hockeydb.com |date=8 April 1970 |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> * [[Gregg Field]], musician and producer * [[Kyle Gass]], musician, actor * [[Mary Hayashi]], Former California State Assembly Member * [[Dean Heller]], former U.S. Senator * [[Sebastian Janikowski]], [[Poland|Polish]]-born football placekicker for [[Oakland Raiders]], current resident<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2002-11-05/article/15922?headline=Raiders-kicker-pleads-innocent-to-DUI-charges--Daily-Planet-Wire-Service |title=Raiders' kicker pleads innocent to DUI charges. Category: Page One from |newspaper=The Berkeley Daily Planet |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> * [[Brian Keyser]], Major League Baseball player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=keysebr01 |title=Brian Keyser Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> * [[Kris LaPoint]], professional water skier<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083898/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112012505/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083898/index.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 12, 2013 | work=CNN | title=Galleries | date=3 August 1970}}</ref> * [[Nick Lima]], professional soccer player, born in Castro Valley<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/nick-lima |title=Nick Lima|website=mlssoccer.com|access-date=2018-06-16}}</ref> * [[Luenell]], actress and comedian<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diablomag.com/D-blog/Petes-Popcorn-Picks/November-2008/Q-A-with-Borat-star-Luenell-headlining-at-Tommy-Ts-this-weekend/ |title=Q&A with Borat star Luenell, headlining at Tommy T's this weekend - Pete's Popcorn Picks - November 2008 - contra costa |publisher=Diablomag.com |date=28 November 2008 |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> * [[Kevin Maas]], Major League Baseball player<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-10-04/sports/17909609_1_major-leagues-bats-yankee-old-timers | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029045109/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-10-04/sports/17909609_1_major-leagues-bats-yankee-old-timers | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 29, 2012 | location=New York | work=Daily News | title= Where are they now? Former Yankee Kevin Maas is a solid investment| first=Anthony | last=Mccarron | date=4 October 2008}}</ref> * [[Rachel Maddow]], anchor and political analyst on [[MSNBC|MSNBC's]] ''[[The Rachel Maddow Show (TV series)|The Rachel Maddow Show]]'' and ''[[The Rachel Maddow Show (radio)|The Rachel Maddow Show]]'' on [[Air America Radio]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=29923|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908051658/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=29923|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2008|title=Rachel Maddow Talks to Us on GOP Culture War (Podcast)|last=Garofoli|first=Joe|date=5 September 2008 |work=SFGATE.com|publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc.|access-date=16 November 2008}}</ref> * [["Big" Jim Martin]], former guitar player for [[Faith No More]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1997/10/05/PK32182.DTL&type=printable |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090306170508/http://news.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1997/10/05/PK32182.DTL&type=printable |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 March 2009 |title=LOSING THE FAITH RENEWS MARTIN'S HOPE |last=Chirazi |first=Steffan |date=5 October 1997 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc. |pages=PK-55 |access-date=16 November 2008 }}</ref> * [[Alec Nevala-Lee]], novelist and science-fiction writer<ref>{{cite web|title=Alec Nevala-Lee|url=http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/227348/alec-nevala-lee|website=Penguin Random House|access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> * [[Miranda Nild]], soccer player for Thailand women's national team; born in Castro Valley * [[Psyclon Nine]], [[aggrotech]] and [[industrial metal]] group * [[Ed Sprague Jr.]], Major League Baseball player, 2-time World Series champion; born in Castro Valley<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=spraged02 |title=Ed Sprague Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> * [[Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story|Jim and Jennifer Stolpa]], whose story was featured in the film ''[[Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story]]'' * [[Greg Tabor]], Major League Baseball player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=taborgr01 |title=Greg Tabor Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> * [[Christopher Titus]], comedian<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0864541/|title=Christopher Titus|work=IMDb|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> * [[Casey Wellman]], professional ice hockey player<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/_/id/5415/casey-wellman |title=Casey Wellman Stats, News, Videos, Highlights, Pictures, Bio - Florida Panthers - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=18 October 1987 |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Castro Valley, California}} {{Wikivoyage|Castro Valley}} *[https://cvmac.alamedacountyca.gov/ Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council] *[https://www.acgov.org/uninc/ Unincorporated Communities - Alameda County government] * {{Cite GNIS|1658237|Castro Valley}} * [http://www.castrovalleychamber.com/ Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107191517/http://www.castrovalleychamber.com/ |date=November 7, 2011 }} * [https://www.facebook.com/castrovalleytv Castro Valley News - Local News and Information] * [http://www.castrovalleymatters.org/ Castro Valley Matters - Local Advocacy Group] * [http://www.mycastrovalley.com/history/ Castro Valley history] * [http://www.cv.k12.ca.us/ Castro Valley Unified School District] * [http://www.friendsofsanlorenzocreek.org/ Friends of San Lorenzo Creek]

[[Category:Census-designated places in Alameda County, California]] [[Category:Valleys of California]] [[Category:Census-designated places in California]] [[Category:Valleys of Alameda County, California]]