Alameda County
Castro Valley Real Estate: Homes, Prices and Local Insight
Castro Valley is an unincorporated East Bay community of single-family neighborhoods around Castro Valley Boulevard and Lake Chabot. Homes typically run about 4% above the Alameda County figure.
- 130+ sales closed
- 5.0 on Yelp · 6 reviews
- 100% recommend · 12 Facebook reviews
Neighborhood review
What are the strengths and trade-offs of living in Castro Valley?
Strengths
- Lake Chabot's 315 acres and 20-plus miles of trails
- A Boulevard main street with a 1950 cinema and a long-running fall festival
- Mostly single-family neighborhoods
Trade-offs
- Prices run slightly above the county figure, and ZIP 94552 about 31% above
- The Hayward fault crosses the west side
- The BART station faces possible closure if the November 2026 transit vote fails
Based on the public data on this page, as of October 2026. It describes homes and places, not the people who live there.
Homes
What are homes like in Castro Valley?
Castro Valley has about 21,718 homes, mostly single-family neighborhoods built from the early 1950s to the late 1990s. Hillside areas include Five Canyons, El Portal Ridge and Hillcrest Knolls, and Joseph Eichler built homes here.
Castro Valley Boulevard, once part of the Lincoln Highway, is the main street. The County governs the community, advised by a Municipal Advisory Council.
About the value figure: ZIP 94546 runs about 4% below the county and ZIP 94552 about 31% above.
What's coming
What's planned or being built in Castro Valley?
Projects with a public approval, funding decision or construction date, as of October 2026.
Housing Element rezoning
Certified December 31, 2024, the County plan makes room for about 1,777 homes in Castro Valley, rezoning six Boulevard parcels and the BART station for apartments. No project has a date yet. Source
Things to do · 5 of 5
What is there to do in Castro Valley?
The Oakland Zoo is about 7 miles away and the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton about 15.
Main street (counted)
Castro Valley Boulevard.
Outdoors (counted)
Lake Chabot: a 315-acre lake with boat rentals, 20-plus miles of trails and a golf course.
Culture (counted)
The 99-seat Chanticleers theater and the 1936 Adobe Art Gallery.
Events (counted)
The Fall Festival every September and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo each May, just east of town.
Entertainment (counted)
The single-screen Chabot Cinema, open since 1950.
Getting around
How do you get around Castro Valley?
Castro Valley sits on I-580 and I-238, with a BART station in the I-580 median on the Dublin/Pleasanton line. If the Bay Area transit tax fails on November 3, 2026, BART's contingency plan would close South Hayward and Castro Valley stations in January 2027.
Official data
Where can you check hazard maps, crime data and schools in Castro Valley?
Stephen doesn't rate neighborhoods as safe or unsafe. These are the official sources, so you can judge for yourself.
Hazard maps
| Very High fire hazard zone | Partial | About 970 acres in Very High zones in the northern part of the community. |
|---|---|---|
| FEMA 100-year floodplain | Partial | About 150 acres along Castro Valley and Chabot creeks. |
| Earthquake fault zone | Yes | The Hayward fault crosses the west side near the SR-238 and I-580 interchange. |
Community-wide flags overstate risk for most individual homes. Check an address with CAL FIRE, FEMA's flood maps and EQ Zapp. The seller's Natural Hazard Disclosure is the binding document.
Crime data
Patrolled by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office (likely the Eden Township Substation; confirm by address).
FAQ
Questions about Castro Valley
What does a typical home cost in Castro Valley?
Zillow's typical home value for Castro Valley was $1,089,663 in August 2026, 4% above Alameda County's $1,048,143. ZIP 94546 runs about 4% below the county and ZIP 94552 about 31% above. For a price on a specific home, request a personal valuation.
Is Castro Valley in a wildfire, flood or earthquake fault zone?
On state and federal maps, Castro Valley's Very High fire hazard flag is partial, its FEMA floodplain flag is partial and its earthquake fault zone flag is yes. Check a specific address with CAL FIRE, FEMA and EQ Zapp; the seller's Natural Hazard Disclosure covers each home.
What's being built in Castro Valley?
Housing Element rezoning. Certified December 31, 2024, the County plan makes room for about 1,777 homes in Castro Valley, rezoning six Boulevard parcels and the BART station for apartments. No project has a date yet.
Which school district serves Castro Valley?
Castro Valley Unified School District; Hayward Unified (parts); San Lorenzo Unified (parts). Stephen doesn't rate schools; the California School Dashboard has the state's data for every public school.
Next step
Own a home in Castro Valley?
Get a personal valuation built from recent Castro Valley sales, not an algorithm. Buying here instead? Start with a 20-minute consult.
More communities near Castro Valley
Sources: Zillow home value data · Castro Valley General Plan · East Bay Regional Park District: Lake Chabot · Castro Valley natural hazards chapter. Updated October 2026.