Contra Costa Real Estate

With its relative prosperity and steadily growing economy, Contra Costa County has evolved from a sleepy, rustic county into one of the fastest growing work force in the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Because of the need to provide services to a growing population, industrial and commercial areas have sprouted from once desolate lands. Nevertheless, Contra Costa real estate appeal has never changed because amid the modernization, the county’s residential areas haven’t lost any of its small town charm. With this, it can be said that the “county from the opposite coast” has maintained its character amid the changes it has undergone.

Contra Costa California Information

Contra Costa County derived its name from a Spanish term meaning “opposite coast.” The name was given due to its location, which is on the coast opposite that of San Francisco. The county was incorporated in 1850 as one of the original 27 counties of the State of California. It is also one of the 9 counties of the region known as the San Francisco Bay Area.

The county has a total land area of 720 square miles and is inhabited by 1,017,787 residents. It is composed of 15 incorporated cities and towns as well as 23 unincorporated communities and census-determined places. The county seat is located in the City of Martinez. Its most notable natural landmark is the 3,849-ft. Mt. Diablo – a legendary mountain situated at the northerly end of the Diablo Range of low hills.

Contra Costa County showed an unprecedented favorability to real estate owners and buyers in recent years mainly due to its extraordinary economic growth. This growth has seen the unemployment rate of the county drop to below 3%, significantly lower than the whole State of California. The prevailing economic prosperity was primarily brought by the steady relocation of companies from costlier locations in the Bay Area.

Among the biggest companies located in the county are: Chevron, Equilon Enterprise, Tosco/Ultramar, Pacific Bell, PG&E, Mirant Delta (formerly Southern energy), GMAC Commercial, Seeno & Associates, USS Posco, and ORECM Escrow. These 10 companies account for $99,087,958.74 (8.73%) of taxes collected by the county for 2002. The major industries of the county include petroleum refining, telecommunications, financial and retail services, steel manufacturing, prefabricated metals, chemicals, electronic equipment, paper products, and food processing.

Contra Costa County is subdivided into three regions, West County, Central County, and East County. West County is a region with a nice mix of races and income levels – a character sought after by most real estate purchasers. Central County is the site of prime real estate properties. It has a high quality of educational institutions, and is a mix of old suburbs, new developments, and extensive shopping areas. East County is a rustic community with low cost developments continuing along Suison Bay. It is being developed further to serve the work force coming from the “edge cities.”

Numerous museums, historic sites, and state and regional parks augment the cultural, educational, and historical values of its residents and visitors as well. Recreational facilities are also provided by the marinas, yacht clubs, and fishing and hunting grounds spread across the county.

Contra Costa California Realtors

Contra Costa Realtors Varies from different real estate offices

Alameda real estate agents

Remax, Pacific Union Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, Exit Realty, Security Pacific, Hercules Realty