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San José is the largest city in Northern California and the economic center of Silicon Valley, one of the world’s leading technology hubs. The city has a population estimated at 989,430 inhabitants (2026 estimate). Founded in 1777 as El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe, it was the first civilian settlement in Spanish California and later became the state’s first capital after independence from Mexico. Over time, San José evolved from an agricultural community into a global center for innovation and high technology.
Today, it is home to numerous tech companies and startups. Notable landmarks include the Winchester Mystery House, the Tech Interactive, and the SAP Center. San José has also been the birthplace of several notable figures, including basketball player Aaron Gordon and technology pioneer Steve Wozniak.
San Jose in United States
121.9° W
San Jose Population Evolution
The population of San Jose in 2026 is estimated to 989,430 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 9,089 | |
| 1910 | 28,946 | +218.5% |
| 1950 | 95,280 | +229.2% |
| 1990 | 782,248 | +721.0% |
| 2024 | 997,368 | +27.5% |
Interactive Map of San Jose
What to see in San Jose
Lick Observatory
Winchester Mystery House
San Jose Diridon station
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
San José City Hall
city hallSantana Row
shopping centerThe Tech Interactive
nonprofit organizationSAP Center
arenaMain parks in San Jose
| Name | Area (ha) | Area (acres) | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelley Park | 63.0 | 155.7 | — |
| St. James Park | 2.8 | 6.9 | 1863 |
| River Oaks Park | 2.0 | 4.9 | 2013 |
| Japanese Friendship Garden | — | — | 1965 |
Famous People Born in San Jose
Steve Wozniak
entrepreneurKate Walsh
stage actorAmerican actress
Pat Tillman
soldierAmerican football player and soldier
Aaron Gordon
basketball playerAmerican basketball player (born. 1995)
Sister Cities of San Jose
Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.
This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Pune | 🇮🇳 India | 5,945,000 |
| Tainan | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | 1,874,686 |
| Yekaterinburg | 🇷🇺 Russia | 1,468,833 |
| Guadalajara | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 1,385,621 |
| Okayama | 🇯🇵 Japan | 720,043 |
| Dublin | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 592,713 |
| Veracruz | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 428,323 |
| San José | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 335,007 |
Learn more about San Jose
Other facts about San Jose
Sources & References
- Wikidata
- United States Census Bureau (accessed on 16 March 2026)