Kensington, CA
Full City Profile · California · San Mateo County County
3.2
/5.0
B
Good
5,292
Population
5,513/sq mi density
$209,137
Median Income
$104,366 per capita
$1,412,500
Home Value
$1,490,966 Zillow
$3,501
Median Rent
27.1% income on rent
58°F
Avg Temperature
111
Violent Crime/100K
1,260 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$209,137 median income, 8.4% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$1,412,500 home value, $3,501/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
111 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
81.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Kensington enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.1 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 58.4°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 321 ft (98 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,513/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9051°N, 122.2842°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Mateo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Metro Oakland International (OAK) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 27.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 88.1% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0332 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 12.1 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.34 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 4.5 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1868 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 4.5 m | 30 | 28 km |
| 1989 | N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 62 | 103 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | - | 45 km |
| 1906 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 30 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 85 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (126 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 126 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (11°C) | 4.8 in | |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.3 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 51°F (11°C) | 5.3 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Kensington has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 51°F in December to 65°F in September. Total annual precipitation is 26.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (5.3") and July the driest (0.0").