History of San Francisco in Timeline

San Francisco is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with 827,526 residents in 2024. It ranks first among U.S. cities with a population of 300,000 or more by per capita income and second by population density as of 2023. Its metropolitan statistical area has approximately 4.6 million residents, and the San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland combined statistical area has around 9.2 million residents.

1900: San Francisco Plague

Around 1900, the first North American plague epidemic was the San Francisco plague.

1900: Golden Gate Park Creation

The creation of Golden Gate Park between 1870 and 1900 contributed to the development of the west side of San Francisco.

1901: San Francisco's Reputation

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

1901: Golden Gate University Formed

In 1901, Golden Gate University, a private, nonsectarian university, was formed in the Financial District of San Francisco.

1904: End of San Francisco Plague

The first North American plague epidemic, the San Francisco plague, ended in 1904.

April 18, 1906: Earthquake Devastates San Francisco

On April 18, 1906, a major earthquake struck San Francisco and northern California, leading to widespread fires and destruction. More than three-quarters of the city lay in ruins, and over half the population was left homeless.

1906: City Hall Location

An Historical Center of San Francisco monument, where the 1899–1906 City Hall was once located, is in United Nations Plaza.

1906: Post-Earthquake Construction

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

1906: Earthquake

In 1906, the San Andreas Fault caused an earthquake in San Francisco. The threat of major earthquakes plays a large role in the city's infrastructure development.

1910: Founding of SPUR

In 1910, the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association or SPUR was founded to address the quality of housing after the 1906 earthquake.

September 1912: Michael O'Shaughnessy Hired

In September 1912, Michael O'Shaughnessy was hired as chief engineer for San Francisco to supervise infrastructure construction.

1912: Bay to Breakers Footrace

Since 1912, the Bay to Breakers footrace has been held annually in San Francisco, known for colorful costumes and a celebratory community spirit.

1913: Raker Act grants leasehold over Hetch Hetchy Valley

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

1915: Streetcar System

Between 1915 and 1927, San Francisco's streetcar system was pushed to completion.

1915: Panama-Pacific International Exposition

In 1915, San Francisco celebrated its rebirth at 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, hastening the development of West Portal, and nearby affluent Forest Hill and St. Francis Wood.

1920: Ranking of MLB Players Production

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 was pushed to completion.

1929: Stock Market Crash

In the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, not a single San Francisco-based bank failed.

December 11, 1932: Lowest recorded temperature

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

1934: Mount Davidson Cross

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

1936: Bay Bridge Completion

In 1936, San Francisco completed the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge.

1937: Golden Gate Bridge Completion

In 1937, San Francisco completed the Golden Gate Bridge.

1939: Golden Gate International Exposition

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

1940: White Population Percentage

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

1945: United Nations Charter

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

1945: Station Opening

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

1946: The 49ers Begin Playing

In 1946, the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) began playing as an All-America Football Conference (AAFC) league charter member.

1950: Population Milestone

By 2000, San Francisco's population reached new highs, surpassing the previous record set in 1950.

1950: The 49ers Move to NFL

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

1951: Treaty of San Francisco

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

1955: Dons win NCAA championship

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

1956: Dons win NCAA championship again

In 1956, Bill Russell led the San Francisco Dons basketball team to another NCAA championship.

1958: Giants Move to San Francisco

In 1958, Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants moved from New York to San Francisco.

1959: Hotel Rooms Available in 1959

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

1962: Warriors Move to San Francisco

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

1967: Summer of Love

In 1967, hippies flocked to Haight-Ashbury, reaching a peak with the Summer of Love.

1968: California Institute of Integral Studies Founded

The California Institute of Integral Studies was founded in 1968.

1969: 555 California Street Completed

In 1969, Bank of America, completed 555 California Street in San Francisco.

1969: Manufacturing Sector

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

1970: Hotel Rooms Available in 1970

By 1970, the number of hotel rooms was nine thousand in San Francisco.

1971: Establishment of KPOO

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

1971: The Fillmore Closes

In 1971, The Fillmore music venue in San Francisco closed its doors after a final performance by Santana.

1971: The 49ers Move to Candlestick Park

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

1971: San Francisco Warriors Renamed

Prior to the 1971–1972 season, the San Francisco Warriors were renamed the Golden State Warriors.

December 1972: Coldest Day

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

1972: Transamerica Pyramid Completed

In 1972, the Transamerica Pyramid was completed.

1972: Warriors Renamed Golden State Warriors

Prior to the 1971–1972 season, the San Francisco Warriors were renamed the Golden State Warriors in an attempt to present the team as a representation of the whole state of California, which had already adopted "The Golden State" nickname.

1972: First San Francisco Pride

Since 1972, San Francisco Pride events have been held continuously, becoming one of the largest and oldest pride parades.

1973: Construction of Sutro Tower

In 1973, Sutro Tower, an important broadcast tower for KTVU, KRON, and KPIX, was built between Mount Sutro and the Twin Peaks.

1974: Zebra Murders

In 1974, the Zebra murders left at least 16 people dead in San Francisco.

1975: Mayoral Election

After the last serious Republican challenger for city office lost the 1975 mayoral election by a narrow margin, the Democrats and to a lesser extent the Green Party dominated city politics.

1976: Recent Snowfall

In 1976, up to 5 inches of snowfall fell on Twin Peaks in San Francisco.

1977: Decrease in San Franciscans Employed by Large Firms

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

1978: Assassination of Harvey Milk and George Moscone

In 1978, Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated.

January 1980: Sister Cities Agreement with Shanghai

In January 1980, Mayor Dianne Feinstein signed a sister cities agreement with Shanghai during a visit to China.

1980: Population Loss

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

1980: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

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

1980: San Francisco Recycling Program

The 1980 San Francisco Recycling Program was one of the earliest curbside recycling programs.

1981: Friends of the Urban Forest Established

In 1981, the non-profit Friends of the Urban Forest was established in San Francisco.

1982: 49ers win Super Bowl

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

1984: Folsom Street Fair

The Folsom Street Fair started in 1984 and is an annual BDSM and leather subculture street fair held in September as the endcap to San Francisco's Leather Pride Week.

1988: Republican Vote

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

1989: Demolition of Embarcadero Freeway After Earthquake

After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, city leaders demolished the Embarcadero Freeway and a portion of the Central Freeway, converting them into street-level boulevards.

1989: Loma Prieta earthquake

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

1989: Sanctuary City Declaration

San Francisco declared itself a sanctuary city in 1989.

1990: Immigration Increase

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

1990: Technology Jobs in San Francisco

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

1991: Average Warmest Night

Between 1991 and 2020, San Francisco recorded an average 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 aimed at reducing HIV and other health risks for drug users, as well as providing disposal sites and services.

1994: CNET Founded

In 1994, CNET was founded in San Francisco.

1994: The Fillmore Reopens

The Fillmore in San Francisco reopened in 1994 with a performance by the Smashing Pumpkins.

1995: 49ers win Super Bowl

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

1995: Salon.com Founded

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

1995: SFMOMA moves to South of Market neighborhood

In 1995, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) moved to its current building in the South of Market neighborhood and attracted more than 600,000 visitors annually.

1998: Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts Founded

In 1998, the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts was founded as part of the California College of the Arts.

1999: Job Growth Rate

Between 1999 and 2000, the job growth rate was 4.9% in San Francisco.

1999: Hotel Rooms Available in 1999

By 1999, there were more than thirty thousand hotel rooms in San Francisco.

2000: Immigration Increase

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

2000: Jobs Created in 2000

Between 1999 and 2000, over 50,000 jobs were created in technology firms and internet content production in San Francisco.

2000: Population Reaches New Highs

By 2000, San Francisco's population reached new highs, surpassing the previous record set in 1950.

2000: Private Vehicle Commuting Rate

In 2000, 48.6% of San Francisco residents commuted by driving alone or carpooling in private vehicles, which declined to 41.3% by 2014.

2000: Oracle Park Opens

In 2000, the San Francisco Giants began playing at Oracle Park.

2001: Pedestrian Deaths in Vehicle Collisions

In 2001, San Francisco had lower pedestrian deaths in vehicle collisions than in 2013, which had 21 deaths.

2001: City CarShare Opens

In 2001, San Francisco was an early adopter of carsharing in America, with the non-profit City CarShare opening, followed closely by Zipcar.

2001: Dot-com Bubble Burst

In 2001, the dot-com bubble burst, causing many startup companies to fold and lay off employees in San Francisco.

2002: Fight Hunger Bowl

From 2002 through 2013, Oracle Park hosted the annual Fight Hunger Bowl college football game.

2003: UCSF Mission Bay campus opens

In 2003, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) opened a 43-acre (17 ha) Mission Bay campus, complementing its original facility in Parnassus Heights.

2004: Publicity Campaign to Support Local Businesses

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

2004: Payroll tax exemption approved for biotechnology companies

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

2006: Small Business Statistics

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

2006: Bicycle Friendly Community Status

Since 2006, San Francisco has received a Bicycle Friendly Community status of "Gold" from the League of American Bicyclists.

2006: Baseline Counts for Cyclists

The 2010 Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) annual bicycle count showed a 58% increase from the 2006 baseline counts.

2007: Healthy San Francisco Program Expanded

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

2007: Household Income

San Francisco ranked third of American cities in median household income with a 2007 value of $65,519.

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 Opens

In December 2010, the Sunset Reservoir Solar Project, featuring 24,000 solar panels, opened and more than tripled the city's solar generation capacity.

2010: Increase in Technology Jobs

By 2010, technology jobs had grown to 4 percent of San Francisco's economy.

2010: Languages Spoken

In 2010, 55% (411,728) of San Francisco residents spoke only English at home, while 19% (140,302) spoke a variety of Chinese (mostly Taishanese and Cantonese), 12% (88,147) Spanish, 3% (25,767) Tagalog, and 2% (14,017) Russian.

2010: Largest ethnic minority group

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

2010: Giants win World Series

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

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: Bloomberg West Launched

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

2011: Ed Lee becomes mayor

In 2011, Ed Lee was selected by the board to finish the term of Gavin Newsom, who resigned to take office as Lieutenant Governor of California.

2011: SFO Passenger Traffic in 2011

In 2011, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was the eighth-busiest airport in the U.S. and the 22nd-busiest in the world, handling over 40.9 million passengers.

2011: San Francisco crime statistics

In 2011, San Francisco reported 50 murders, 134 rapes, 3,142 robberies, 2,139 assaults, 4,469 burglaries, 25,100 thefts, and 4,210 motor vehicle thefts. The Tenderloin area had the highest crime rate.

2011: Manufacturing Jobs Doubled

Since 2011, manufacturing jobs had doubled in San Francisco.

2012: Giants win World Series again

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

August 2013: Launch of Bay Area Bike Share

In August 2013, Bay Area Bike Share launched with 700 bikes in downtown San Francisco, selected cities in the East Bay, and San Jose.

2013: Fight Hunger Bowl moves

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

2013: Pedestrian Deaths in Vehicle Collisions

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

2013: Traffic Fatalities in San Francisco

In 2013, 25 people 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: America's Cup

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

2013: Venture Capital Investments in 2013

In 2013, San Francisco proper attracted 423 financings worth US$4.58 billion in venture capital investments.

2013: 'Due Process for All' ordinance

In 2013, San Francisco strengthened its sanctuary city stance with its 'Due Process for All' ordinance.

2013: Record Low Rainfall

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

2013: Attendance at San Francisco Pride

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

2013: SFJAZZ Center Opens

In 2013, the SFJAZZ Center opened, hosting jazz performances year round in San Francisco.

2013: SFMOMA closes for renovation and expansion

In 2013, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) closed for renovation and expansion.

September 25, 2014: New Terminal Project at Pier 27

The new Terminal Project at Pier 27 opened on September 25, 2014, replacing the old Pier 35.

2014: Quality of Life Survey

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

2014: Resurgence in Manufacturing

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

2014: Commitment to Vision Zero

In 2014, San Francisco committed to Vision Zero, aiming to end all traffic fatalities caused by motor vehicles within the city by 2024.

2014: Decline in Private Vehicle Commuting

In 2014, only 41.3% of residents commuted by driving alone or carpooling in private vehicles in San Francisco, marking a decline from 48.6% in 2000.

2014: The 49ers Leave San Francisco

In 2014, the San Francisco 49ers left San Francisco, moving approximately 50 miles south to Santa Clara, and began playing its home games at Levi's Stadium.

2014: Giants win World Series again

In 2014, the San Francisco Giants won the World Series again.

2014: Religious Groupings

In a 2014 study, the largest religious groupings in San Francisco's metropolitan area are Christians (48%), followed by those of no religion (35%), Hindus (5%), Jews (3%), Buddhists (2%), Muslims (1%) and a variety of other religions have smaller followings.

2014: Murders in the first half of 2014

In the first six months of 2014 there were 14 murders in the Bayview-Hunters Point area.

June 2, 2015: Median Rent

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

2015: San Francisco City budget

For fiscal year 2015–16, the City of San Francisco's municipal budget was $8.99 billion. The City of San Francisco spent over $10,000 per resident.

2015: Warriors make NBA Finals

From 2015 to 2019, the Golden State Warriors made five consecutive NBA Finals, winning three of them.

2015: LGBTQ adults in San Francisco metro area

In 2015, survey data released by Gallup indicated that 6.2% of adults in the San Francisco metro area identified as LGBTQ, the highest proportion among the 50 most populous metropolitan areas measured.

2015: Increase in murders during first half of 2015

In the first six months of 2015, there were 25 murders, compared to 14 in the first six months of 2014 in the Bayview-Hunters Point area.

2015: CNBC Broadcasts from One Market Plaza

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

May 2016: SFMOMA Reopens

In May 2016, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) reopened with an addition designed by Snøhetta, doubling the museum's size.

2016: Business Friendliness Survey Rating

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

2016: San Francisco City budget

For fiscal year 2015–16, the City of San Francisco's municipal budget was $8.99 billion. The City of San Francisco spent over $10,000 per resident.

2016: Foreign Tourists

In 2016, San Francisco attracted the fifth-highest number of foreign tourists of any city in the United States.

2016: San Francisco employment statistics

In 2016, San Francisco had a diversified service economy, with approximately 27% of workers employed in professional business services, 14% in leisure and hospitality, 13% in government services, 12% in education and health care, 11% in trade, transportation, and utilities, and 8% in financial activities.

2016: Increase in homicides in 2016

In 2016, the San Francisco Police Department reported 59 murders, marking a 13.5% increase from the 52 homicides in 2015.

2016: Increased Spending on Homelessness Services

In 2016–17, San Francisco increased its spending by $241 million on homelessness services.

September 1, 2017: Hottest 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: London Breed temporarily replaces Ed Lee as Mayor

On December 12, 2017, San Francisco Board of Supervisors President London Breed temporarily replaced Ed Lee after he died.

2017: Expansion and Rebranding of Bay Area Bike Share

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

2017: Homeless Population Count

In 2017, 6,858 homeless people were counted in San Francisco's point-in-time street and shelter count.

2017: Asian Population

In 2017, more than half of the Asian population in San Francisco was either Chinese-born (40.3%) or Philippine-born (13.1%).

2017: San Francisco Shock Established

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

2017: Homelessness Budget

In 2017–18 the budget for combatting homelessness stood at $305 million.

January 2018: UN rapporteur "shocked" by homelessness crisis

In January 2018, Leilani Farha, a United Nations special rapporteur on homelessness, expressed being "completely shocked" by San Francisco's homelessness crisis during her visit, comparing the conditions of homeless camps to those in Mumbai.

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 as mayor.

2018: Metropolitan Area Population

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: "Poop patrol" formed in 2018

During the first half of 2018, reports of human feces on San Francisco sidewalks were the second-most-frequent complaint, with about 65 calls per day, leading to the formation of a "poop patrol".

2018: Jewish American Population

In 2018, Jewish Americans made up an estimated 10% (80,000) of the city's population.

2018: ParkScore Ranking

In 2018, San Francisco ranked fifth in the U.S. for park access and quality in the ParkScore ranking of the top 100 park systems across the United States, according to the nonprofit Trust for Public Land.

2018: Dog Population

In 2018, the dog population was cited as exceeding the child population of 115,000.

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: Warriors make NBA Finals

From 2015 to 2019, the Golden State Warriors made five consecutive NBA Finals, winning three of them.

2019: Traffic Collisions in San Francisco

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

2019: Homeless Population Count

In 2019, 8,035 homeless people were counted in San Francisco's point-in-time street and shelter count.

2019: Chase Center Opening

In 2019, Chase Center opened as the new home of the Golden State Warriors in the Mission Bay area.

2019: Bay Area Bike Share Renamed

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

2019: San Francisco Shock wins Championship

In 2019, San Francisco Shock won a championship title.

2019: Homelessness Budget

In the 2019–2020 budget year, the city budgeted $368 million for homelessness services.

2019: Golden Gate Bridge Retrofitting

Starting in 2019, the railings on the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge pedestrian walkway were replaced with thinner, more flexible slats as part of the retrofitting to improve aerodynamic tolerance of high wind.

May 2020: San Francisco sanctions homeless encampments

In May 2020, San Francisco officially sanctioned homeless encampments within the city.

June 2020: Reports of Humming Sound 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, heard across the city when a strong west wind was blowing.

2020: OECD Metropolitan Area GDP

As of 2020, the OECD-defined San Francisco metropolitan area, with 6.7 million residents, ranked 5th by GDP ($874 billion) and 2nd by GDP per capita ($131,082) across all metropolitan areas in the OECD countries.

2020: Racial Makeup

As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup and population of San Francisco included: 361,382 Whites (41.3%), 296,505 Asians (33.9%), 46,725 African Americans (5.3%), 86,233 Multiracial Americans (9.9%), 6,475 Native Americans and Alaska Natives (0.7%), 3,476 Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (0.4%) and 73,169 persons of other races (8.4%). There were 136,761 Hispanic or Latino residents of any race (15.6%).

2020: Average Warmest Night

Between 1991 and 2020, San Francisco recorded an average 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 wins Championship

In 2020, San Francisco Shock won a championship title.

2020: Homelessness Budget

In the proposed 2020–2021 budget, the city budgeted $850 million for homelessness services.

2020: 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.

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 due to climate change, resulting in periodic flooding and rising groundwater levels.

2021: Car break-ins in 2021

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

2021: Walk Score Ranking

In 2021, Walk Score ranked San Francisco the most walkable city in the United States.

2021: Proposed Budget

In the proposed 2020–2021 budget, the city budgeted $850 million for homelessness services.

2022: Median home value in San Francisco County

As of the first quarter of 2022, the median value of homes in San Francisco County was $1,297,030, ranking third in the U.S. for counties with the highest median home value.

2022: Measure Passed to Protect JFK Drive

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: Tourism Statistics

In 2022, San Francisco had more than 1.7 million international visitors and approximately 20 million domestic visitors.

2022: Warriors Win Championship

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

2022: San Francisco Art Institute closed

The San Francisco Art Institute, founded in 1871, closed in 2022.

2023: Muni is the eighth-largest transit system

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

2023: Income Ranking

As of 2023, San Francisco was ranked first among U.S. cities with a population of 300,000 or more by per capita income.

2023: Visitors and Economic Impact in 2023

In 2023, 23.1 million visitors arrived in San Francisco, adding US$9.3 billion to the economy.

April 2024: Decline in crime figures

In April 2024, statistics released by SFPD indicated that crime figures were down in the first 100 days of the year, particularly in robberies, burglaries and larceny.

2024: Salesforce Employment Figures

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

2024: Vision Zero Goal

By 2024, San Francisco aims to end all traffic fatalities caused by motor vehicles as part of its Vision Zero plan, which was committed to in 2014.

2024: Population and Income Statistics

In 2024, San Francisco was the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526. It was ranked first among U.S. cities with a population of 300,000 or more by per capita income.

2024: Homeless population in San Francisco

In 2024, San Francisco's Point-in-Time (PIT) count indicated approximately 8,323 homeless individuals, with over 20,000 seeking homeless services in the city.

2024: GDP and Income Rankings

In 2024, the 13-county San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland combined statistical area had a GDP of $1.408 trillion, ranking 3rd among CSAs. As of 2024, San Francisco County ranked 9th by income per capita among U.S. counties, with a per capita personal income of $171,497.

2024: GDP Growth in San Francisco Bay Area

In 2024, the GDP in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area grew 4.3% in real terms to $1.332 trillion.

2024: Global Financial Centres Index Ranking

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

2024: Bay Area GDP

In 2024, the San Francisco Bay Area had a GDP of $1.332 trillion. San Francisco proper had a GDP of $268 billion and a GDP per capita of $324,000. The city is home to companies like Salesforce, Uber, Airbnb, Levi's, Gap, OpenAI, Chime, Anthropic, Databricks, Dropbox, and Lyft.