Livermore

Livermore is a city located in California’s beautiful Tri-Valley region, situated along the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of over 89,000 residents, Livermore offers small-town charm along with big city opportunities and amenities.

Population and Demographics

According to recent population estimates, Livermore has 89,535 residents. It is currently the 4th largest city in the East Bay region and the 26th largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area overall. The population density is approximately 3,734 people per square mile.

The racial makeup of Livermore is predominantly White (75.5%), followed by Asian (15.6%), Hispanic/Latino (13.7%), Black (2.6%), and other races (7.9%). The median age is 41.2 years old. Over one quarter of households have children under 18 years old.

Livermore has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades. Between 2000 and 2010, the population increased over 20% as the city continued expanding. Housing and development has grown along with the population.

Economy and Major Employers

Livermore has a thriving innovation economy, with cutting-edge research centers and advanced manufacturing driving job growth. Some of the major employers in Livermore are:

  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory – over 6,800 employees
  • Workday – over 2,000 employees
  • Ross Stores – over 1,600 employees
  • Lam Research – over 1,000 employees
  • Nordstrom Distribution Center – over 900 employees

Other significant industries include biotech, healthcare, retail, education, and viticulture. Wineries and vineyards thrive in the surrounding Livermore Valley wine country.

The top occupational sectors by employment in Livermore are Healthcare, Retail, Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Hospitality. The Livermore Chamber of Commerce provides resources and networking for local businesses.

Attractions and Things to Do

Livermore offers a wide variety of attractions and activities for visitors and residents to enjoy:

  • Wente Vineyards – California’s oldest continuously operated winery, featuring tours, tastings, and elegant gardens.
  • Las Positas College Planetarium – state-of-the-art digital planetarium with shows on astronomy and space.
  • Downtown Livermore – charming downtown area with boutiques, restaurants, wine bars, a brewery, specialty shops, and seasonal festivals.
  • Livermore Rodeo – an annual 4th of July tradition with bull riding, rodeo events, BBQ, and a parade.
  • Livermore Municipal Airport – features an airshow, hangars, and vintage aircraft.
  • Robert Livermore Community Center – large community center with aquatics facilities, sports fields, classes, and event space.

Outdoor recreation is also very popular, with Del Valle Regional Park offering hiking, biking, camping, boating, and more just minutes away.

Sports Teams

Livermore has one professional sports team:

At the collegiate level, Las Positas College has intercollegiate athletic teams including baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball, and others.

For youth sports, Livermore has active leagues for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, swimming, and many other sports through organizations like the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD). There are also private clubs for activities ranging from gymnastics to hockey.

Government

Livermore has a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Livermore provides a full range of municipal services, public safety, parks, libraries, cultural events, and development permitting.

The State of California Assembly member representing Livermore is Rebecca Bauer-Kahan of the 16th district. The State Senate member is Steve Glazer of the 7th district. At the federal level, Livermore is part of California’s 15th congressional district, represented by Eric Swalwell.

Education

Public schools in Livermore are served by the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. There are also a variety of private and parochial school options in Livermore. At the post-secondary level, Las Positas College offers two-year associate degrees, career education programs, and transfer programs to four-year universities.

Housing

Most of the housing in Livermore consists of single family homes, with some condominiums, townhomes, and apartments as well. Housing prices have increased significantly in the past decade, with the median home value now over $900,000. However, Livermore remains more affordable than many other Bay Area cities.

Transportation

Livermore is conveniently located near two major highways, I-580 and I-680, allowing easy access to other cities. Public transportation is provided by WHEELS, with bus routes throughout Livermore and connecting to other cities and BART stations. Livermore also has passenger rail service at the Livermore ACE Train Station, providing service to Stockton and San Jose.

Livermore Municipal Airport serves private and corporate aircraft. The nearest major international airport is Oakland International Airport, about 35 miles away.

Media

Livermore is served by several local newspapers, including the Livermore Independent and Pleasanton Weekly. Bay Area radio and television stations also cover Livermore news and events.

Healthcare

Medical facilities in Livermore include Kaiser Permanente Livermore Medical Center, ValleyCare Health System, Stanford Health Care-ValleyCare, and Veteran’s Affairs Palo Alto Livermore Hospital. Urgent care centers, private practice physicians, and specialists provide additional healthcare options.