1 census tracts · pop 3,925 · pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score 7/10
· range 7–7
University South is a one-tract neighborhood of Palo Alto, CA and houses 3,925 people. It carries an Eviction Risk Score of 7/10, in the Elevated tier. 39% of renters here are cost-burdened at the 30% threshold, clearly above the Palo Alto rate of 26.6%.
The main counterweight is economic stress, at 1/10. Running hot is tenant-organizing strength at 8.8/10.
The severe-burden share is 20%. Those renters are past the 50% mark, and they miss rent for reasons that have nothing to do with willingness to pay. Average gross rent is $2,608, 25% below the Palo Alto average of $3,484. Running cool is supply constraint, at 2.6/10.
SNAP participation is 4.7% of households versus 15.2% nationally. 3.8% of adults carry no health insurance against 11.3% nationally, a common route into sudden unpayable debt.
Among the 13 mapped neighborhoods of Palo Alto, it ranks #6 by risk, the middle third. For a like-for-like read, Crescent Park and Old Palo Alto score within a fraction of it.
Rent takes 13% of average household income, comfortably inside the 30% line and unusually low for a rental sub-market. Poverty sits at 4%, low enough that arrears here usually reflect a specific shock rather than a structural income gap.
Because the boundary contains one tract, 7/10 is simultaneously the area figure and the address-level figure. Scores move when the ACS release, the court-record feed, or the statute ledger behind them moves.
Risk score
7
Elevated
1 tracts · population-weighted
University South vs Palo AltoHow this neighborhood stacks against the citywide average
Single-parent HH, disability, language barriers, age 17- / 65+
Racial/ethnic minority59%ile
Hispanic + non-white share of population
Housing & transport69%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
Q1
What is the eviction-risk score for University South?
University South scores 7/10 (Elevated 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.
Q2
How does University South compare to Palo Alto overall?
University South scores 0.6 points lower than Palo Alto overall (7.6/10). Renters spend 39% of income on rent vs 27% citywide. Average rent: $2,608 vs $3,484.
Q3
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.
Q4
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.
Q5
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.
Q6
How safe is University South for landlords?
University South carries a elevated-tier eviction-risk profile for landlords (7/10). 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 (7.6/10), this neighborhood is lower-risk.
Q7
What is the demographic breakdown of University South?
University South has 4,036 residents. Top groups: White (non-Hispanic) (57.2%), Asian (non-Hispanic) (15.9%), Other / Multiracial (13.3%). Source: ACS 5-year 2023, table B03002.
