Palo Alto is located at the northern end of Silicon Valley, and is home to Stanford University and several successful high-tech companies.  As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,598.  It’s named after the tree known as “El Palo Alto,” or “The Tall Stick”.

Median home price is a whopping $1.05 million, given it’s desirable location near Stanford University and Silicon Valley companies. Palo Alto is also generally perceived to have excellent public schools and a high quality of life.

Palo Alto lays claim to founding the Silicon Valley tech culture.  In 1951, Stanford University began what is now Stanford Research Park, a high tech office park.  Palo Alto plays host to Hewlett Packard and Facebook, along with Merrill Lynch and the NYSE’s west coast offices.

The median income for a household in the city was $90,377, and the median income for a family was $117,574.  The per capita income for the city was $56,257.

If you’re living in or visiting Palo Alto, a good thing to remember is that all municipal parking lots and street parking are free.