Between 2008 and 2016, the estimated number of high-tech firms calling San Francisco home grew by 74 percent. That compares with just 18 percent growth in Santa Clara County where the largest number of Bay Area high-tech firms are already located, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Here’s how Bay Area counties rank by growth in high-tech over the same eight-year period.1. San Francisco – 74%2. Santa Clara – 18%3. Alameda – 14%4. Napa – 13%5. San Mateo – 11%6. Contra Costa – 10%7. Solano – 7%8. Sonoma – 7%9. Marin – 2%[bar color=”Accent-Color” title=”1. San Francisco” percent=”74″][bar color=”Extra-Color-1″ title=”2. Santa Clara” percent=”18″][bar color=”Accent-Color” title=”3. Alameda” percent=”14″][bar color=”Extra-Color-1″ title=”4. Napa” percent=”13″][bar color=”Accent-Color” title=”5. San Mateo” percent=”11″][bar color=”Extra-Color-1″ title=”6. Contra Costa” percent=”10″][bar color=”Accent-Color” title=”7. Solano” percent=”7″][bar color=”Extra-Color-1″ title=”8. Sonoma” percent=”7″][bar color=”Accent-Color” title=”9. Marin” percent=”2″]San Francisco’s Chief Economist Ted Egan said technology companies want to be in San Francisco because that’s where their workers want to live, and many of those workers start their own companies.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Controller’s Office, City and County of San Francisco