Concord, CA, known as 'The Heart of Contra Costa,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Contra Costa County, Concord is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like San Francisco (30 miles) and Oakland (22 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Concord's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Concord is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Todos Santos Plaza, the historic Concord Pavilion, and the scenic Lime Ridge Open Space. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Markham Nature Park and Arboretum to the bustling Sunvalley Shopping Center, known for its shopping and dining. Concord's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Concord Jazz Festival and the Taste of Concord highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Concord's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like California State University, East Bay - Concord Campus contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Concord is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Concord Historical Society and the Lesher Center for the Arts are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Concord provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Concord’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Oakland Athletics (MLB) and the Golden State Warriors (NBA), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Concord include healthcare, education, and retail, with significant employers such as John Muir Health and Wells Fargo driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and BART, making it easy to navigate the region.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Concord, California is a mid-sized city with a population of 129,227 inhabitants. In Concord, there are 4,230 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Concord identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 21% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Something to be aware of when living in Concord are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 35 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Concord, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Concord and in the areas around Concord is a much easier task.
Concord has a livability score of 68/100 and is ranked #297 in California and #8,255 in the USA. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Concord ranks well for education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (B-). There is at least one category that did not score well in Concord. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Concord excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Concord is actually affordable. The median home price for Concord homes is $581,900, which is 42.2% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Concord, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.3, which is 1.6% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Concord | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 35min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 67.3% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.4% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 11.1% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.8% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.1% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.2% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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