City of San José

San José, California, is a global center for technology and innovation, serving as the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley. It is the largest city in Northern California and the Bay Area.

Key Facts (2026)

• Population: Approximately 991,209 residents as of 2026, making it the third-largest city in California.
• Economy: Often called the "Capital of Silicon Valley," it hosts over 6,600 technology companies and leads the nation in patent generation.
• Demographics: One of the most diverse large cities in the U.S., where 40% of residents are foreign-born and more than 56 languages are spoken.
• Geography & Climate: Located in the Santa Clara Valley, about 50 miles southeast of San Francisco, it enjoys roughly 300 days of sunshine annually.

Major Industries & Employers

The city's economy is driven by high-tech manufacturing, professional services, and healthcare.

• Top Employers: Key corporate headquarters in San José include Adobe, Cisco Systems, eBay, Zoom, PayPal, and Samsung.
• Tech Influence: Major regional players like Google, Apple, and NVIDIA maintain significant operations or expansion plans within the city and its metro area.

Governance & Planning

• City Government: San José operates under a council-manager form of government, led by a Mayor and a ten-member City Council.
• Current Initiatives: In 2026, the city is conducting its third four-year review of the Envision 2040 General Plan to evaluate growth in "urban villages" and jobs-to-housing ratios.
• Smart City Vision: The city is a leader in "smart city" initiatives, leveraging data and new technologies to improve public safety, sustainability, and service delivery.

Culture & Quality of Life

• Museums & Arts: Home to the Tech Interactive, the San José Museum of Art, and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in western North America.
• Unique Districts: Features one of only three remaining Japantowns in the U.S. and has the largest Vietnamese population of any city outside Vietnam.
• Recreation: Offers one of the largest parks and trail networks in the nation, including the historical Winchester Mystery House and the SAP Center, home to the San José Sharks.

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