MENLO PARK COMMUNITY PROFILE Prepared by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce
Location & Climate 2014 Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce 1100 Merrill Street Menlo Park, CA 94025 PH: (650) 325-2818 FX: (650) 325-0920 www.menloparkchamber.com info@menloparkchamber.com
“The purpose of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce is to create an atmosphere in which business prospers and the community thrives.”
Menlo Park, a Tree City USA community, is located 27 miles south of San Francisco and 20 miles north of San Jose. Menlo Park is centrally situated between two major freeways and adjacent to Stanford University. The City covers 19 square miles. It is an ideal community for corporate headquarters and research & development firms. The area’s natural beauty has been protected throughout the City’s growth, preserving an environment which continues to offer livability and quality of life as its most important assets. Seasonal Temperature and Rainfall Patterns Temperature (°F)
Jan
Apr
Jul
Oct
265 Sunny Days a Year Average Annual Rainfall: 15.71” Elevation: Sea Level to 330 feet Source: City of Menlo Park
Average
49
58
68
61
High
59
70
80
74
Low
39
45
55
48
3.06
0.98
0.00
0.76
Precipitation (inches) Source: The Weather Channel
Economic Growth and Trends City of Menlo Park Business Development 701 Laurel Street Menlo Park, CA 94025 PH: (650) 330-6600 FX: (650) 328-7935
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
Population - San Mateo County
556,234
587,329
649,623
707,161
718,451
Population - Menlo Park
26,826
26,438
28,040
30,785
32,026
Median Household Income - San Mateo County
$13,222
$17,962
$46,437
$70,819
$85,648
Median Household Income - Menlo Park
$9,461
$21,918
$50,468
$84,609
$107,860
www.menlopark.org
Total Taxable Sales $1,279,371 $4,073,283 $7,843,359 $14,044,016 $11,327,022* - San Mateo County (000’s) Total Taxable Sales - Menlo Park (000’s)
$72,830
$178,256
$498,214
$1,086,850
(1992 figure)
Source: Association of Bay Area Governments, United States Census, and State Board of Equalization, City of Menlo Park Consolidated Annual Financial Report *2010/2011 figures
$593,831*
Business and Employment Zoning: Menlo Park is home to a wide range of businesses of various sizes. Business parks are located in both the east and west ends of the City, near the Bayshore Freeway and Interstate 280. Commercially zoned areas are located downtown and along El Camino Real, Willow Road, Menalto Avenue and Sharon Park Drive.
Commute: The average commute to work for Menlo Park’s labor force is 22 minutes. 77.2% of Menlo Park’s labor force commute to work by car, truck or van and primarily choose to travel alone (69.6%). For more employment-related information, contact the local Employment Development Department at (650) 802-5000.
Top 10 Employers: Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing Employer
Number of Employees
Type of Business
Facebook, Inc.
2865
Social Media
SRI International
1421
Research/Consulting
TE Corporation
747
Manufacturing
SHR Hotel, LLC
458
Hotels/Lodging
E*Trade Financial Corporation
370
Financial Services
Evalve Inc.
328
Medical Technology
Pacific Biosciences of California
300
Medical Technology
Safeway Stores, Inc.
264
Food /Beverage
United Parcel Service
246
Transportation Services
City of Menlo Park
230
City Government
Source: City of Menlo Park Business Development Department
Labor Force Overview Type of Occupation
Number of People
Percentage of Labor Force
Employed civilian population 16 years and over
16,141
100.0%
Management, Business, Science, and Arts
10,473
64.9%
Sales and Office
2,571
15.9%
Service
1,990
12.3%
Production, Transportation, and Material Moving
635
3.9%
Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance
472
2.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey
Community Facilities Health: Menlo Park has a Veterans Administration Medical Center and four other general hospitals in the area (Sequoia Hospital & Kaiser Hospital located in Redwood City, Stanford Medical Center located in Palo Alto, and the San Mateo Medical Center). The San Mateo Medical Center serves all residents of San Mateo County without regard for ability to pay. The Center is the hub of an integrated system of healthcare involving 15 clinics across the county. Additional information on the Center is available at www.sanmateomedicalcenter.org. Education: 92% of Menlo Park’s population over 25 years of age have graduated from high school and 69.2% hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational facilities for Menlo Park, Atherton, and Portola Valley include: 11 public and 9 private
elementary schools, 3 public and 5 private high schools, 1 theological seminary, and 1 four-year college. Several community colleges, as well as various state and private universities are within commuting distance of Menlo Park. Culture & Recreation: The Community Services Department is responsible for providing recreational and cultural programs for children, adults, and seniors. Its facilities include 13 parks, 2 community centers, 2 swimming pools, 2 child care centers, and 2 gymnasiums. Other local attractions include: Allied Arts Guild, United States Geological Survey, Stanford University, and Sunset Publishing Corporation. Menlo Park has 24 places to worship, 2 branches of the Menlo Park Library, The Almanac newspaper, and a movie theater (The Guild).
Government Facilities and Services City Government (www.menlopark.org): The City Council is the City’s governing body. In general municipal elections its members are elected at-large to four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor and the Vice Mayor are selected to one-year terms by the Council at its first meeting in December of each year. The Mayor, who represents the City of Menlo Park, serves as the presiding officer of the City Council and signs enacting legislation, proclamations and resolutions. The City's General number is (650) 330-6600. Business Development Program (www.menlopark.org/ doing_business.html): Located within the City Manager’s Department, the Business Development Program is committed to helping businesses locate, grow and prosper in the community. The program is dedicated to understanding and helping to meet the needs of Menlo Park’s retail, commercial and industrial businesses and those interested in re-locating to the City.
The Environmental Quality Commission advises the City Council on matters of environmental protection and improvement, sustainable practices and policies, physical appearance of City properties and historic preservation.
The Housing Commission advises the Council concerning all City housing policies and programs, State and regional housing issues, and the below market rate (BMR) housing program.
The Library Commission advises the Council on strategies for improvements to Library resources and services, building maintenance and operations and reading materials.
The Parks and Recreation Commission creates community by advising the Council on matters involving City parks, playgrounds, equipment, and recreation programs and services.
The Planning Commission helps guide and regulate the use of land in Menlo Park by recommending action to the City Council concerning amendments to the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map.
The Transportation Commission advises the Council concerning matters of public and private transportation facilities within the City and also assists in regional transportation coordination.
Source: City of Menlo Park
Menlo Park City Council Chambers
City Commissions: The primary role of City Commissions is to advise the City Council on policy matters, to review specific subjects and to carry out assignments as directed by the City Council or as required by law.
The Bicycle Commission advises the Council on matters related to bicycling. The Commission also reviews operational features for existing bicycle facilities and identifies new bicycle facilities.
Police and Fire Departments: The Menlo Park Police Department and the Menlo Park Fire Protection District provide proactive and emergency (911) services to the community. The main number for the Police Department is (650) 330-6300. The main number for the Fire Protection District is (650) 688-8400. United States Post Offices: The zip code for Menlo Park is 94025, or 94026 for post office boxes. The main post office is located at 3875 Bohannon Drive. Other locations are in downtown Menlo Park and in west Menlo Park. For additional information call (800) 275-8777.
Housing and Accommodations Attractive Residential Neighborhoods: Menlo Park has a total of 13,209 residential units ranging from quaint bungalows to convenient cluster homes and executive style housing. 56.3% of the occupied residential units are owner-occupied and 43.7% are renter-occupied. 5% of the available housing in Menlo Park is vacant. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey
Pricing: In 2013, the median selling price of a Menlo Park home was $1,510,000 (340 total sales). During the same period the median selling price of a Menlo Park condominium was $810,000 (91total sales).
Affordable Housing Programs: The City provides a variety of housing services aimed at producing and preserving affordable housing opportunities for very low, low and moderate-income residents and employees. For more information, call (650) 3306706. Intermediate Accommodations: Menlo Park has seven hotels and motels with a total of 431 rooms available. They range from luxury to extended stay accommodations. Additional accommodations are available in nearby cities.
Source: Silicon Valley Association of Realtors
Utilities and Services Cable/Satellite Television Service: The cable service providers in Menlo Park is Comcast at (800) 266-2278. Satellite providers include DIRECTV at (888) 238-7177, Dish Network at (800) 333-3474, and AT&T at (800) 288-2020. Various electronic retailers provide information on obtaining satellite television. Refuse Removal and Recycling Services: Recology San Mateo County (formerly Norcal Waste Systems), located in San Carlos, is the primary service provider for Menlo Park. Recology San Mateo County can be contacted at (650) 595-3900. Gas & Electric Service: Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is the primary provider of power and can be contacted at (800) 7435000. Telephone Service: AT&T is the primary provider of local phone service and can be contacted at (800) 288-2020. AT&T also provides long distance, high-speed Internet service, and satellite television.
Sewer Line Maintenance and Service: The West Bay Sanitary District maintains and operates over 200 miles of main line sewer system in Menlo Park and portions of neighboring communities. The District provides 24 hour emergency service to its customers. To request service, call (650) 321-0384, 24 hours a day. Water Supplier: The Menlo Park Municipal Water District serves one-third of the City’s population. It serves the Sharon Heights area and portions of the City north of El Camino Real. The MPMWD owns and operates its distribution system and purchases water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. For more information contact the Menlo Park Public Works Department at (650) 330-6780. California Water Service Company and O’Connor Tract Cooperative Water serve the other portions of the City. California Water service can be contacted at (650) 367-6800, and O’Connor Tract Cooperative Water District can be reached at (650) 321-2723.
Transportation Air: Menlo Park is centrally located between San Francisco International Airport, 15 miles to the north and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, 16 miles to the south. Rail: Commuter train service is provided by Caltrain from San Francisco to Gilroy. AMTRAK connects to Menlo Park via the San Jose train station. The phone number for Caltrain is (800) 660-4287; the number for AMTRAK is (800) 872-7245. Water: The Port of San Francisco is located 32 miles north of Menlo Park and the Port of Redwood City is located 5 miles north of Menlo Park.
Bus: SamTrans at (800) 660-4287 provides services in San Mateo County from Menlo Park north to San Francisco, and VTA at (800) 894-9908 provides services in Santa Clara County from Menlo Park south to San Jose. Highway: Major arterial connections are Interstate 280 to the west side of the City and Bayshore Freeway (101) to central Menlo Park. The Dumbarton Bridge provides convenient access to and from the East Bay.
Copyright © 2014 by Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce The Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. However, the Chamber does not warrant the accuracy, completeness or fitness for use of this information.