Neighborhood · Palo Alto, CA

University South Eviction Risk: Lower

1 census tracts · pop 3,925 · pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score 3/10 · range 3–3

University South is a diverse neighborhood in Palo Alto with 1 census tract and a population of 3,925 residents. The neighborhood's pop-weighted eviction-risk score of 3/10 (Lower tier) blends state law, county-level filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income ratios + poverty. 39% of renters here pay at least 30% of household income on rent, and 20% are severely cost-burdened (≥50% of income). Average gross rent of $2,608/month sits 25% lower than the Palo Alto citywide average ($3,484).

Risk score

Lower

1 tracts · population-weighted

University South vs Palo Alto How this neighborhood stacks against the citywide average

% of income on rent

38.8% +46%

Palo Alto: 26.6%

Average gross rent

$2,608 -25%

Palo Alto: $3,484

Average HH income

$233,864 +6%

Palo Alto: $220,408

Poverty rate

4.0% -26%

Palo Alto: 5.4%

Renter share

47.9% +6%

Palo Alto: 45.4%

Peer neighborhoods

Neighborhoods with similar eviction risk

Same county, closest by Eviction Risk Score.

Geographic context

Risk heat across University South and the region

Click any tract to drill in · 1 tracts span score 3–3

Why University South scores 3

9 axes · pop-weighted · 1 = landlord-friendly

State political climate

legislature & governorship · Range 6.8–6.8 across tracts

6.8

Regional political climate

County-level mix · 2024 presidential margin · Range 7.4–7.4 across tracts

7.4

Local political climate

Parent city governance · Range 8.1–8.1 across tracts

8.1

Rent control risk

39% of income on rent · Range 4.4–4.4 across tracts

4.4

Eviction process difficulty

State notice requirements & court backlog · Range 6.6–6.6 across tracts

6.6

Tenant organizing strength

48% renter households · Range 8.8–8.8 across tracts

8.8

Housing court bias

County bench composition · Range 3.9–3.9 across tracts

3.9

Economic stress

4.0% below poverty line · Range 1.0–1.0 across tracts

1.0

Supply constraint

Rent-to-FMR gap & zoning friction · Range 2.6–2.6 across tracts

2.6

Risk score comparison

University South vs. parent city, state, U.S.

Eviction Risk Score (0–10 scale).

Census tracts

1 tracts in University South

Ranked highest-risk first. Click for per-tract detail.

Tract↕	Score↕	Pop↕	% over 30% on rent↕	Average rent↕
06085511301	3	3,925	39%	$2,608

Social Vulnerability Index

CDC SVI percentile: 29

Pop-weighted across 1 tracts. Higher = more vulnerable to disaster, displacement, and rent shocks. Source: CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022.

Socioeconomic status 13%ile

Poverty, unemployment, no-HS-diploma, housing cost burden

Household characteristics 15%ile

Single-parent HH, disability, language barriers, age 17- / 65+

Racial/ethnic minority 59%ile

Hispanic + non-white share of population

Housing & transport 69%ile

Multi-unit structures, mobile homes, crowding, no vehicle

CDC PLACES 2023 · pop-weighted

Eviction-adjacent indicators in University South

Average across all constituent tracts, population-weighted. Source: CDC PLACES (cwsq-ngmh) crude prevalence.

5.9%Housing insecurity
3.1%Utility shutoff threat
6.0%Food insecurity
4.7%SNAP enrollment
3.8%No health insurance
22.7%Any disability

Frequently asked

About University South

What is the eviction-risk score for University South?

University South scores 3/10 (Lower tier) across 1 census tracts. The pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score blends state law, county filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income and poverty signals.

How does University South compare to Palo Alto overall?

University South scores 4.8 points lower than Palo Alto overall (7.8/10). Renters spend 39% of income on rent vs 27% citywide. Average rent: $2,608 vs $3,484.

What is the average rent in University South?

Average gross rent in University South is $2,608/month (pop-weighted across 1 census tracts, ACS 5-year 2023). 39% of renter households are cost-burdened.

What percentage of University South residents are renters?

48% of University South households are renter-occupied (vs 45% in Palo Alto). The neighborhood has 3,925 residents.

Is University South a high social-vulnerability area?

University South sits in the 29th percentile nationally on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (less vulnerable). The index combines poverty, unemployment, household composition, racial/ethnic minority share, and housing/transportation factors across all US census tracts.

How safe is University South for landlords?

University South carries a lower-tier eviction-risk profile for landlords (3/10). Pop-weighted across 1 constituent tracts, the score blends parent-city rent-control posture, county eviction-process timelines, and tract-specific rent-to-income / poverty signals. Compared to Palo Alto as a whole (7.8/10), this neighborhood is lower-risk.

What is the demographic breakdown of University South?

University South has 4,036 residents (Diverse Neighborhood). Top groups: White (non-Hispanic) (57.2%), Asian (non-Hispanic) (15.9%), Other / Multiracial (13.3%). Source: ACS 5-year 2023, table B03002.

Nearby

Other neighborhoods near University South

3.4 Downtown North 2 tracts · pop 6,740 4 College Terrace 2 tracts · pop 5,270 3.2 Fairmeadow 2 tracts · pop 5,432 3.3 Bedford Square 5 tracts · pop 22,335 2.8 Creston 7 tracts · pop 26,315 3.7 Birdland 12 tracts · pop 60,203

Sibling neighborhoods

Other neighborhoods inside Palo Alto

Same parent city, ranked by score similarity to University South.

3 Duveneck - St. Francis 1 tracts · pop 5,643 3 Crescent Park 1 tracts · pop 4,995 3 Old Palo Alto 1 tracts · pop 3,705 3 Ventura 1 tracts · pop 4,784 2.9 Midtown 1 tracts · pop 7,208 2.9 Palo Verde 1 tracts · pop 5,595

Zoom out