History of San Francisco in Timeline

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San Francisco

San Francisco, a major commercial, financial, and cultural hub in Northern California, had a population of 808,988 in 2023, making it California's fourth-most populous city and the 17th in the U.S. Covering 46.9 square miles on the San Francisco Peninsula, it's the second-most densely populated major U.S. city. San Francisco leads U.S. cities with over 250,000 residents in per capita income and ranks sixth in aggregate income as of 2023. It's the core of the 13th-largest U.S. metropolitan area (almost 4.6 million residents) and part of the fifth-largest urban region, boasting over nine million residents.

1900: First North American Plague Epidemic

In 1900, San Francisco was the site of the first North American plague epidemic, which lasted until 1904.

1901: San Francisco's Flamboyant Style

Around 1901, San Francisco was known for its flamboyant style, stately hotels, ostentatious mansions on Nob Hill, and a thriving arts scene.

1901: Formation of Golden Gate University

In 1901, Golden Gate University, a private, nonsectarian university, was formed and located in the Financial District.

1904: End of San Francisco Plague Epidemic

The San Francisco plague epidemic, which started in 1900, came to an end in 1904.

April 18, 1906: San Francisco Earthquake

On April 18, 1906, a major earthquake struck San Francisco, leading to widespread fires and destruction, leaving more than half the population homeless.

1906: Pacific Heights Development

Following the 1906 earthquake, wealthy San Franciscans built homes in Pacific Heights.

1906: Earthquake

In 1906, San Francisco experienced an earthquake caused by the San Andreas Fault.

1906: San Francisco Earthquake and Fire

In 1906, San Francisco was devastated by a major earthquake and subsequent fire, which destroyed three-quarters of the city. The disaster led to a rapid rebuilding effort and the city hosting the Panama-Pacific International Exposition nine years later.

1906: Western Addition Survived Earthquake

In 1906, The Western Addition survived the earthquake with its Victorians largely intact.

1906: City Hall Location

In 1906, the Historical Center of San Francisco monument marks where the 1899-1906 City Hall once stood.

1910: Founding of SPUR

In 1910, the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) was founded to address housing quality issues after the earthquake.

September 1912: Michael O'Shaughnessy Hired as Chief Engineer

In September 1912, Michael O'Shaughnessy was hired as the chief engineer for San Francisco to oversee the construction of several major infrastructure projects.

1912: Bay to Breakers Inaugural Race

Since 1912, the Bay to Breakers footrace is held annually and is best known for colorful costumes and a celebratory community spirit.

1913: Raker Act

San Francisco was granted a perpetual leasehold over the Hetch Hetchy Valley and watershed in Yosemite National Park by the Raker Act in 1913.

1915: Streetcar System Completion

Between 1915 and 1927, San Francisco's streetcar system, including the J, K, L, M, and N lines, was pushed to completion by O'Shaughnessy.

1915: Panama-Pacific International Exposition

In 1915, San Francisco celebrated its rebirth after the earthquake by hosting the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

1918: Twin Peaks Tunnel Construction

In 1918, the construction of the Twin Peaks Tunnel connected southwest neighborhoods to downtown via streetcar.

1920: MLB players produced since 1920

In 2012, San Francisco was ranked No. 1 in a study that examined which U.S. metro areas have produced the most Major Leaguers since 1920.

1927: Streetcar System Completion

Between 1915 and 1927, San Francisco's streetcar system, including the J, K, L, M, and N lines, was pushed to completion by O'Shaughnessy.

1929: Stock Market Crash

In 1929, following the stock market crash, no San Francisco-based bank failed, solidifying the city's standing as a financial capital.

December 11, 1932: Lowest Recorded Temperature

On December 11, 1932, the lowest recorded temperature in San Francisco was 27 °F (−3 °C).

1934: Mount Davidson Cross Built

In 1934, a 103-foot tall cross was built on Mount Davidson, San Francisco's tallest hill.

1936: Completion of San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge

In 1936, San Francisco completed the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as one of two major civil engineering projects undertaken during the Great Depression.

1937: Completion of Golden Gate Bridge

In 1937, San Francisco completed the Golden Gate Bridge, marking another significant civil engineering achievement during the Great Depression.

1939: Golden Gate International Exposition

In 1939, San Francisco celebrated its regained grandeur with the Golden Gate International Exposition, held on Treasure Island.

1940: White Population

In 1940, non-Hispanic White residents made up 92.5% of San Francisco's population.

1945: United Nations Charter Signed in San Francisco

In 1945, the United Nations Charter was drafted and signed in San Francisco.

1945: Coldest Daytime High Since Station Opening

In December 1972, the coldest daytime high since the station's opening in 1945 was recorded at 37 °F (3 °C).

1946: 49ers Begin Playing

In 1946, the San Francisco 49ers began playing as an All-America Football Conference league charter member.

1950: Demographic Change in San Francisco

From 1950 to 1980, San Francisco experienced significant demographic change with the loss of white population and an increase in immigration from Asia and Latin America.

1950: 49ers Move to NFL

In 1950, the San Francisco 49ers moved to the NFL.

1950: Population High

San Francisco set a new population record high in 1950

1951: Treaty of San Francisco

In 1951, the Treaty of San Francisco was signed, re-establishing peaceful relations between Japan and the Allied Powers.

1955: USF Dons win NCAA championship

In 1955, Bill Russell led the USF Dons basketball team to an NCAA championship.

1956: USF Dons win NCAA championship

In 1956, Bill Russell led the USF Dons basketball team to an NCAA championship.

1958: Giants Move to San Francisco

In 1958, the San Francisco Giants moved from New York to San Francisco.

1959: Limited First Class Hotel Rooms

In 1959, San Francisco had fewer than thirty-three hundred first-class hotel rooms.

1962: Warriors Move to San Francisco

In 1962, the Golden State Warriors moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Philadelphia and played as the San Francisco Warriors.

1967: Summer of Love

In 1967, San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was the epicenter of the Summer of Love, marking a peak in the hippie counterculture movement.

1968: Founding of California Institute of Integral Studies

In 1968, the California Institute of Integral Studies was founded, offering graduate programs.

1969: Bank of America Completed 555 California Street

In 1969, Bank of America, which was founded in San Francisco, completed the construction of 555 California Street.

1969: Significant Manufacturing Sector

In 1969, San Francisco had a significant manufacturing sector employing nearly 60,000 workers.

1970: Increase in Hotel Rooms

By 1970, San Francisco had nine thousand first-class hotel rooms.

1971: Warriors Renamed Golden State Warriors

From 1962 to 1971 the Warriors played as the San Francisco Warriors, before being renamed the Golden State Warriors prior to the 1971-1972 season.

1971: The Fillmore Closes Doors

In 1971 The Fillmore closed its doors with a final performance by Santana.

1971: Establishment of KPOO Radio Station

In 1971, KPOO, an independent, African-American owned and operated noncommercial radio station, was established.

1971: 49ers Move into Candlestick Park

In 1971, the San Francisco 49ers moved into Candlestick Park.

December 1972: Coldest Daytime High

In December 1972, the coldest daytime high since the station's opening in 1945 was recorded at 37 °F (3 °C).

1972: Warriors Renamed Golden State Warriors

From 1962 to 1971 the Warriors played as the San Francisco Warriors, before being renamed the Golden State Warriors prior to the 1971-1972 season.

1972: Completion of Transamerica Pyramid

In 1972, the Transamerica Pyramid was completed, initiating a period of extensive high-rise development in downtown San Francisco.

1972: First San Francisco Pride Events

San Francisco Pride events have been held continuously since 1972.

1973: Construction of Sutro Tower

In 1973, Sutro Tower was built for KTVU, KRON, and KPIX.

1974: Zebra Murders

In 1974, the Zebra murders in San Francisco resulted in at least 16 deaths.

1975: Mayoral Election

In 1975, the last serious Republican challenger for city office lost the mayoral election by a narrow margin.

1976: Most Recent Snowfall

In 1976, the most recent measurable snowfall occurred in San Francisco, with up to 5 inches falling on Twin Peaks.

1977: Decline in Employment by Large Firms

Since 1977, the number of San Franciscans employed by firms of more than 1,000 employees has fallen by half.

1978: Dianne Feinstein Assumes Office

In 1978, Dianne Feinstein assumed the office of mayor following the assassination of George Moscone and was later selected by the board to finish the term.

1978: Assassination of Harvey Milk and George Moscone

In 1978, Harvey Milk, a prominent gay rights activist and member of the Board of Supervisors, and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in San Francisco.

January 1980: Sister Cities Agreement with Shanghai

In January 1980, Mayor Dianne Feinstein signed a sister cities agreement with Shanghai.

1980: Population Loss in San Francisco

From 1950 to 1980, San Francisco lost over 10 percent of its population.

1980: San Francisco Recycling Program

In 1980, the San Francisco Recycling Program, one of the earliest curbside recycling programs, was launched.

1980: Escape from Alcatraz triathlon Inaugural Race

Since 1980, the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon has attracted 2,000 top professional and amateur triathletes for its annual race.

1981: Friends of the Urban Forest Establishment

In 1981, the non-profit Friends of the Urban Forest was established, contributing to San Francisco's role at the forefront of global environmental discussions.

1982: 49ers Win Super Bowl

Between 1982 and 1995, the 49ers won five Super Bowl titles.

1984: Folsom Street Fair Start

The Folsom Street Fair started in 1984 as an annual BDSM and leather subculture street fair held in September.

1988: Presidential and Senatorial Vote

Since 1988, San Francisco has not voted more than 20% for a Republican presidential or senatorial candidate.

1989: Demolition of Embarcadero Freeway after Loma Prieta earthquake

After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, city leaders demolished the Embarcadero Freeway.

1989: Loma Prieta Earthquake

During the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the Marina district experienced extensive property damage due to soil liquefaction in the landfill.

1989: San Francisco Declares Itself a Sanctuary City

In 1989, San Francisco declared itself a sanctuary city.

1990: Increase in Foreign-Born Residents

Between 1990 and 2000, the number of foreign-born residents in San Francisco increased from 33% to nearly 40%.

1990: Technology Jobs in Economy

In 1990, technology jobs accounted for just 1 percent of San Francisco's economy.

1991: Average Warmest Night

During an average year between 1991 and 2020, San Francisco recorded a warmest night at 64 °F (18 °C).

1993: Free Syringe Distribution

Since 1993, the San Francisco Department of Public Health has distributed 400,000 free syringes every month to reduce HIV and other health risks for drug users, while also providing disposal sites and services.

1994: The Fillmore Reopens

In 1994 The Fillmore reopened with a show by the Smashing Pumpkins.

1994: CNET founded

In 1994, CNET was founded in San Francisco.

1995: 49ers Win Super Bowl

Between 1982 and 1995, the 49ers won five Super Bowl titles.

1995: Salon.com founded

In 1995, Salon.com was founded in San Francisco.

1995: SFMOMA Moves to New Building

In 1995, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) moved to its current building in the South of Market neighborhood.

1998: Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts Founded

Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts was founded in 1998 and is part of the California College of the Arts.

1999: Job Growth During Internet Boom

Between 1999 and 2000, the job growth rate in San Francisco was 4.9%, creating over 50,000 jobs in technology firms and internet content production.

1999: Hotel Rooms Increased

By 1999, San Francisco had more than thirty thousand first class hotel rooms.

2000: Increase in Foreign-Born Residents

Between 1990 and 2000, the number of foreign-born residents in San Francisco increased from 33% to nearly 40%.

2000: Job Growth During Internet Boom

Between 1999 and 2000, the job growth rate in San Francisco was 4.9%, creating over 50,000 jobs in technology firms and internet content production.

2000: San Francisco Population Reaches New High

By 2000, San Francisco's population surpassed the previous record set in 1950, driven by the dot-com boom.

2000: Commuting by driving alone or carpooling in private vehicles

In 2000, 48.6% of San Francisco residents commuted by driving alone or carpooling in private vehicles.

2000: Oracle Park Opening

In 2000, Oracle Park opened as the home of the San Francisco Giants.

2001: Dot-com Bubble Bursts

In 2001, the dot-com bubble burst, leading to the folding of many startup companies and layoffs in San Francisco.

2001: Opening of City CarShare

In 2001, the non-profit City CarShare opened in San Francisco.

2001: Pedestrian traffic deaths in vehicle collisions

In 2013, 21 pedestrians were killed in vehicle collisions, the highest since 2001.

2002: Fight Hunger Bowl Start Date

Oracle Park hosted the annual Fight Hunger Bowl college football game from 2002 through 2013 before it moved to Santa Clara.

2003: UCSF Mission Bay Campus Opening

In 2003, a 43-acre Mission Bay campus was opened for the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

2003: Pelosi House Minority Leader

Nancy Pelosi held the post of House Minority Leader, from 2003 to 2007 and 2011 to 2019.

2004: Payroll Tax Exemption for Biotech

In 2004, San Francisco approved a payroll tax exemption for biotechnology companies to foster growth in the Mission Bay neighborhood.

2004: Small Business Publicity Campaign

In 2004, the Small Business Commission started a publicity campaign to keep a larger share of retail dollars in the local economy.

2006: Small Businesses Dominate Establishments

In 2006, small businesses with fewer than 10 employees and self-employed firms made up 85% of city establishments.

2006: Baseline bicycle counts

The 2010 Municipal Transportation Agency annual bicycle count showed the number of cyclists at 33 locations had increased 58% from the 2006 baseline counts.

2007: Healthy San Francisco Program

In 2007, San Francisco expanded its Medicaid and other indigent medical programs into the Healthy San Francisco program, subsidizing certain medical services for eligible residents.

2007: Median Household Income

In 2007, San Francisco's median household income was $65,519, ranking it third among American cities.

2007: Pelosi as House Speaker

Nancy Pelosi served as the House Speaker from 2007 through 2011.

2008: Estimated Bicycle Trips

In 2008, the MTA estimated that about 128,000 trips were made by bicycle each day in the city, or 6% of total trips.

December 2010: Sunset Reservoir Solar Project Completion

In December 2010, the Sunset Reservoir Solar Project was completed, installing 24,000 solar panels and more than tripling the city's solar generation capacity.

2010: Languages Spoken at Home

As of 2010, 55% of San Francisco residents spoke only English at home.

2010: Ethnic Minority Groups

In 2010, residents of Chinese ethnicity constituted the largest single ethnic minority group in San Francisco at 21% of the population.

2010: Technology Jobs in Economy

In 2010, technology jobs accounted for 4 percent of San Francisco's economy.

2010: Giants Win World Series

In 2010, the San Francisco Giants won a World Series title.

2010: Increase in Cyclists

The 2010 Municipal Transportation Agency annual bicycle count showed the number of cyclists at 33 locations had increased 58% from the 2006 baseline counts.

2010: United States Census

The 2020 United States census showed San Francisco's population to be 873,965, an increase of 8.5% from the 2010 census.

2011: Doubling of Manufacturing jobs since 2011

As of 2014, San Francisco has seen a small resurgence in manufacturing, with more than 4,000 manufacturing jobs across 500 companies, doubling since 2011.

2011: Bloomberg West Launch

In 2011, Bloomberg West was launched from a studio on the Embarcadero in San Francisco.

2011: Ed Lee selected Mayor

In 2011, Ed Lee was selected by the board to finish the term of Gavin Newsom.

2011: SFO Passenger Traffic

In 2011, SFO was the eighth-busiest airport in the U.S. and the 22nd-busiest in the world, handling over 40.9 million passengers.

2011: Reported Crimes

In 2011, San Francisco reported 50 murders, about 134 rapes, 3,142 robberies, and about 2,139 assaults, among other crimes.

2011: Pelosi as House Speaker

Nancy Pelosi served as the House Speaker from 2007 through 2011.

2012: Giants Win World Series and Ranked No. 1

In 2012, the San Francisco Giants won a World Series title and was ranked No. 1 in a study examining U.S. metro areas that have produced the most Major Leaguers since 1920.

August 2013: Launch of Bay Area Bike Share

In August 2013, Bay Area Bike Share, now Bay Wheels, launched with 700 bikes in downtown San Francisco.

2013: Technology Jobs and Venture Capital

By the end of 2013, technology jobs were estimated to be 8 percent of San Francisco's economy and attracted 423 financings worth US$4.58 billion.

2013: Pedestrian traffic deaths in vehicle collisions

In 2013, 21 pedestrians were killed in vehicle collisions, the highest since 2001.

2013: Traffic fatalities

In 2013, 25 pedestrians were killed by car and truck drivers while walking and biking in the city and 9 car drivers and passengers were killed in collisions.

2013: SFMOMA Closed for Renovation

In 2013, SFMOMA closed for renovation and expansion.

2013: 'Due Process for All' ordinance strengthened sanctuary stance

In 2013, San Francisco strengthened its sanctuary city stance with the 'Due Process for All' ordinance, restricting local authorities from holding immigrants for immigration offenses under certain conditions.

2013: Record Low Rainfall

In 2013, downtown San Francisco recorded a record low 5.59 inches of rainfall.

2013: Attendance at San Francisco Pride

In 2013, over 1.5 million people attended San Francisco Pride events, around 500,000 more than the previous year.

2013: SFJAZZ Center Opening

In 2013, the SFJAZZ Center opened, hosting jazz performances year-round.

2013: Fight Hunger Bowl End Date

Oracle Park hosted the annual Fight Hunger Bowl college football game from 2002 through 2013 before it moved to Santa Clara.

2013: America's Cup

San Francisco hosted the 2013 America's Cup yacht racing competition.

September 25, 2014: Pier 27 Terminal Project Opened

On September 25, 2014, the new Terminal Project at Pier 27 opened in San Francisco, replacing the old Pier 35.

2014: High Quality of Life

According to a 2014 quality of life survey of global cities, San Francisco had the highest quality of living of any U.S. city.

2014: Religious Groupings

According to a 2014 study, the largest religious groupings in San Francisco's metropolitan area were Christians (48%), followed by those of no religion (35%).

2014: Resurgence in Manufacturing

As of 2014, San Francisco has seen a small resurgence in manufacturing, with more than 4,000 manufacturing jobs across 500 companies.

2014: San Francisco commits to Vision Zero

In 2014, San Francisco committed to Vision Zero, with the goal of ending all traffic fatalities caused by motor vehicles within the city by 2024.

2014: Decline in private vehicle commuting

In 2014, only 41.3% of San Francisco residents commuted by driving alone or carpooling in private vehicles.

2014: 49ers Move to Santa Clara

In 2014, the San Francisco 49ers moved to Santa Clara to play at Levi's Stadium.

2014: Giants Win World Series Title

In 2014, the San Francisco Giants won a World Series title.

2014: Homicides Compared to 2015

In the first six months of 2015, there were 25 murders compared to 14 in the first six months of 2014.

June 2, 2015: Median Rent Reported

By June 2, 2015, the median rent in San Francisco was reported to be as high as $4,225.

2015: NBA Finals Appearance

From 2015 to 2019, the Golden State Warriors made five consecutive NBA Finals.

2015: Walk Score Ranking for San Francisco

In 2015, Walk Score ranked San Francisco the second-most walkable city in the United States.

2015: LGBT Population Proportion Data

In 2015, survey data released by Gallup placed the proportion of LGBT adults in the San Francisco metro area at 6.2%, which is the highest proportion of the 50 most populous metropolitan areas.

2015: Per Resident Spending

In FY 2015-2016, The City of San Francisco spends more per resident than any city other than Washington, D.C., over $10,000.

2015: Rise in Murders

In the first six months of 2015, there were 25 murders in San Francisco, compared to 14 in the first six months of 2014.

2015: CNBC broadcasts from One Market Plaza

Since 2015, CNBC broadcasts from One Market Plaza in San Francisco.

May 14, 2016: SFMOMA Reopening

On May 14, 2016, SFMOMA reopened with an addition that doubled the museum's size.

2016: Low Rating by Small Businesses

By 2016, San Francisco was rated low by small businesses in a Business Friendliness Survey.

2016: Tourism Statistics

In 2016, San Francisco attracted the fifth-highest number of foreign tourists of any city in the United States, with more than 25 million visitors adding US$9.96 billion to the economy.

2016: Increase in Spending to Service Homelessness

In 2016, San Francisco increased its spending to service the growing population homelessness crisis jumping by $241 million in 2016–17 to total $275 million.

2016: Increase in Homicides

In 2016, San Francisco saw a 13.5% increase in homicides, with a total of 59 murders reported.

2016: Employment Sectors

In 2016, approximately 27% of workers in San Francisco were employed in professional business services.

2016: Municipal Budget

The municipal budget for fiscal year 2015-16 was $8.99 billion, and is one of the largest city budgets in the United States.

September 1, 2017: Highest Recorded Temperature

On September 1, 2017, the highest recorded temperature at the official National Weather Service downtown observation station was 106 °F (41 °C).

December 12, 2017: Ed Lee Dies

Ed Lee died on December 12, 2017, and was temporarily replaced by London Breed.

2017: Expansion of Bay Area Bike Share

In 2017, Bay Area Bike Share started a major expansion, along with a rebranding as Ford GoBike.

2017: Homeless Count Increase and Budget

In 2017, a count of homeless people showed 6,858 individuals and in 2017-2018, the budget for combatting homelessness stood at $305 million.

2017: San Francisco Shock Established

In 2017, the Overwatch League's San Francisco Shock was established.

January 2018: UN Special Rapporteur Shocked by Homelessness Crisis

In January 2018, a United Nations special rapporteur on homelessness, Leilani Farha, expressed shock at San Francisco's homelessness crisis.

January 23, 2018: Mark Farrell Appointed Mayor

On January 23, 2018, Supervisor Mark Farrell was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to finish Ed Lee's term.

2018: Jewish Community Population

According to a 2018 study, Jews made up 10% (80,000) of the city's population in San Francisco.

2018: San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area

As of 2018, the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area had a population of over 9.6 million, making it the fifth-largest in the United States.

2018: ParkScore Ranking

In 2018, San Francisco ranked fifth in the U.S. for park access and quality according to the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore ranking.

2018: "Poop Patrol" Formed

In 2018, complaints about human feces on San Francisco sidewalks were frequent, leading to the formation of a "poop patrol".

2018: Dog Population Exceeds Child Population

In 2018, it was reported that the dog population in San Francisco exceeded the child population of 115,000.

January 3, 2019: Pelosi Speaker of the House

Nancy Pelosi served as the House Speaker from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023.

2019: Protected Bike Lanes

As of 2019, 2.6% of the city's streets have protected bike lanes, with 28 miles of protected bike lanes in the city.

2019: NBA Finals Appearance

From 2015 to 2019, the Golden State Warriors made five consecutive NBA Finals.

2019: Traffic Collision Fatalities

In 2019, 42 people were killed in traffic collisions in San Francisco.

2019: Chase Center Opens

In 2019, Chase Center opened as the new home of the Golden State Warriors.

2019: Bay Area Bike Share Renamed Bay Wheels

In 2019, Ford GoBike received its current name as Bay Wheels.

2019: Homeless Count and Budget Increase

In 2019, San Francisco's point-in-time street and shelter count revealed 8,035 homeless people. In the 2019-2020 budget year, the city budgeted $368 million for homelessness services.

2019: San Francisco Shock Won Championship

In 2019, the San Francisco Shock won a championship title.

2019: Golden Gate Bridge Retrofitting

Starting in 2019, the railings on the west side of the pedestrian walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge were replaced.

May 2020: San Francisco Sanctions Homeless Encampments

In May 2020, San Francisco officially sanctioned homeless encampments.

June 2020: Reports of hum from Golden Gate Bridge

Starting in June 2020, reports were received of a loud hum produced by the new railing slats on the Golden Gate Bridge.

2020: Racial Makeup

As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of San Francisco included 41.3% Whites, 33.9% Asians, and other groups.

2020: Average Warmest Night

During an average year between 1991 and 2020, San Francisco recorded a warmest night at 64 °F (18 °C).

2020: African American Population

In 2020, African Americans constituted about 5% of San Francisco's population.

2020: San Francisco Shock Won Championship

In 2020, the San Francisco Shock won a championship title.

2020: San Francisco Metropolitan Area GDP

In 2020, the San Francisco metropolitan area, with 4.5 million residents, ranked 5th by GDP ($874 billion) and 2nd by GDP per capita ($131,082) across the OECD countries.

2020: Homelessness services budget

In 2020, the proposed 2020–2021 budget for San Francisco included $850 million for homelessness services.

2020: United States Census

The 2020 United States census showed San Francisco's population to be 873,965.

2021: Sea Level Rise Projection

As of 2021, sea levels are projected to rise by as much as 5 feet (1.5 m) in San Francisco, leading to flooding and other issues.

2021: High Number of Car Break-ins

In 2021, San Francisco experienced over 19,000 car break-ins, gaining the city a reputation for this type of crime.

2021: Homelessness services budget proposed

In 2021, the proposed 2020–2021 budget for San Francisco included $850 million for homelessness services.

January 2022: Suspect Responsible for Hate Crimes

In January 2022, CBS News reported that a single suspect was "responsible for more than half of all reported hate crimes against the API community in San Francisco last year".

2022: Median Home Value

As of the first quarter of 2022, the median value of homes in San Francisco County was $1,297,030.

2022: Measure passed to protect JFK drive in Golden Gate Park

In 2022 a measure on the ballot passed to protect JFK drive in Golden Gate Park as a pedestrian and biking space with 59% of voters in favor.

2022: San Francisco Tourism

In 2022, San Francisco welcomed over 1.7 million international visitors and approximately 20 million domestic visitors.

2022: Warriors Championship

In 2022, the Golden State Warriors won the franchise's first championship while residing in San Francisco proper.

2022: Closure of the San Francisco Art Institute

In 2022, the San Francisco Art Institute, the oldest art school west of the Mississippi, closed its doors.

January 3, 2023: Pelosi Speaker of the House

Nancy Pelosi served as the House Speaker from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023.

2023: Muni Transit System Ranking

As of 2023, Muni is the eighth-largest transit system in the United States.

2023: GDP in the San Francisco metropolitan area grows

In 2023, GDP in the five-county San Francisco metropolitan area grew 3.4% in real terms to $779 billion.

2023: San Francisco Population and Ranking

In 2023, San Francisco had a population of 808,988, ranking as the fourth-most populous city in California and 17th in the U.S. It also held high rankings in per capita and aggregate income among major U.S. cities.

2023: San Francisco Proper GDP

In 2023, San Francisco proper had a GDP of $263.1 billion and a GDP per capita of $325,000 despite an accelerating exodus of businesses from the downtown area.

March 2024: Union Square's Decline

As of March 2024, Union Square was in "sorry shape" and had lost its position as the Bay Area's regional shopping hub to Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose.

April 2024: Crime Figures Down

In April 2024, the SFPD released statistics showing a decrease in robberies, burglaries, and larceny.

2024: Salesforce is largest private-sector employer

As of 2024, the largest private-sector employer is Salesforce, with 11,953 employees.

2024: Target Year for Vision Zero

In 2014, San Francisco committed to Vision Zero, with the goal of ending all traffic fatalities caused by motor vehicles within the city by 2024.

2024: Homeless Population Count

In 2024, San Francisco's Point-in-Time (PIT) count estimated the homeless population to be approximately 8,323 individuals.

2024: Financial Center Ranking

In 2024, the Global Financial Centres Index ranked San Francisco as the fifth-most competitive financial center in the world.

2025: Zero-Waste Goal

San Francisco's ambitious zero-waste goal aims to divert 100% of waste from landfills by 2025.

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