The eight surrounding counties collectively overtook San Francisco, as Oakland, Berkeley, and other communities rapidly expanded.
56.2%SF's share of Bay Area residents in 1870
11.3%SF's share in 2020
~5 millionResidents added outside SF, 1950–2020
The Bay Area grows beyond San Francisco
Decennial population counts. Hover or tap the chart to inspect each census year.
San FranciscoRest of Bay Area (8 counties)
1900–1910 · The tipping point
1920–1950 · Growth on both sides
San Francisco added roughly 269,000 people, while the surrounding counties added more than a million.
1950–1980 · The suburban surge
San Francisco's population declined even as the rest of the Bay Area more than doubled.
Still standing, by decade built
Multi-family buildings with more than 10 units still on the 2025 assessor roll. The 1920s remain the peak. Hover or tap a bar.
Still standing: 11+ unit apartments
Every multi-family building on the 2025 assessor roll with more than 10 units. Default view is the 1920s. 1940 and after is one group. Circle size is units. Raise the slider to keep only larger buildings.
Explore the census figures
All rows used in the chart. Numbers are historical decennial figures; slight rounding in the historical compilation may occur.
| Year | San Francisco | Rest of Bay Area | Bay Area total | SF share |
|---|
Definition and sources. Nine counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma. Historical series based on decennial U.S. Census figures compiled by MTC/ABAG Bay Area Census and the U.S. Census Bureau.
1860–2010 non-SF counts shown here are rounded approximations from the prior historical compilation, not independently re-verified individual county sums. The chart is best used for interpreting long-term trends, not precise county-level historical research. The 2020 values use published decennial population counts.
Apartment chart and map: City of San Francisco Assessor-Recorder, Historical Secured Property Tax Rolls, 2025 closed roll. Multi-family parcels with more than 10 units. Year built of 1900, unknown years, and the 12 buildings dated before 1900 are omitted. These are buildings still on the roll, not a complete construction census. Hotels are excluded. Assessed year built is sometimes rounded. The 2020s are through the 2025 roll only. Three parcels in the decade counts have no map point.
1860–2010 non-SF counts shown here are rounded approximations from the prior historical compilation, not independently re-verified individual county sums. The chart is best used for interpreting long-term trends, not precise county-level historical research. The 2020 values use published decennial population counts.
Apartment chart and map: City of San Francisco Assessor-Recorder, Historical Secured Property Tax Rolls, 2025 closed roll. Multi-family parcels with more than 10 units. Year built of 1900, unknown years, and the 12 buildings dated before 1900 are omitted. These are buildings still on the roll, not a complete construction census. Hotels are excluded. Assessed year built is sometimes rounded. The 2020s are through the 2025 roll only. Three parcels in the decade counts have no map point.