About Berkeley

Berkeley is a city with a small population and a big reputation.

In California alone, there are more than 30 cities bigger than Berkeley. In Alameda County alone, Berkeley is ranked fourth in population behind Oakland, Fremont, and Hayward. And yet, we are famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech and the arts.

Berkeley is a constantly changing mix of long-time residents and new neighbors, and whether you just arrived from Albany or Azerbaijan, you are welcome here.

Who We Are
We’ll leave the character sketches to the artists and poets, but here is some demographic information about Berkeley from the 2010 U.S. Census. If you’re looking for historical information, the Berkeley Library and the Berkeley Historical Society are great places to start. You can also read our Mission Statement here.

What We Do
Visit this page to learn more about Berkeley’s education levels and institutions, the economy and our employers, the arts, parks and recreational opportunities.

For a detailed list of things to do in Berkeley, including restaurants, accommodations, outdoor activities, shopping districts and a calendar of events, please visit the Berkeley Convention and Visitors Bureau. You can also check out our media list to see all the print and broadcast news outlets, many of which also have event listings.

For local airports and driving directions, visit our Getting to Berkeley page.

How We Live
Visit this page to learn more about civic and community engagement, housing, health, transit, public works and the environment.

And thank you for visiting the City of Berkeley!