One of Alameda County’s Tri-Cities adjacent to the Coyote Hills
Newark, the nation’s third largest city with the name, is located amidst nature preserves, East San Francisco Bay waters and various industrial buildings. This community of almost 47,000 people, according to 2023 Census information, is transitioning into a diverse technology hub on the border of Silicon Valley. However, older industries, such as sea salt production, are still essential to the area. This enclave 35 miles south of San Francisco offers miles of nature trails, a regional shopping center, respected schools and easy access to the Dumbarton Bridge and Meta Headquarters in Menlo Park. “If you live in Newark, you just cross one of the bridges to the other side of the bay, and you’re right in the center of Silicon Valley and all the tech companies,” says Irina Bondar, a Realtor with Christie’s International Real Estate with nearly a decade of experience.
Lakeshore Park in Newark features a beautiful lake that surrounds a small suburban island.
Newark's modern streets are full of hybrid and electric vehicles.
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MacGregor Park, Newark Days and a national wildlife preserve
The city maintains 15 parks and recreation facilities, including a skate park, athletic fields and a dog park. The Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center is an indoor swimming facility with a lap pool, a lazy river and a warm-water spa. Newark Community Center Park covers 30 acres with the MacGregor Playfields, a playground and a walking path that connects to the 12-mile Alameda Creek Trail. Newark Days is held every September and celebrates the city’s founding with a four-day festival of carnival rides, music and food on the MacGregor Playfields. Occupying over 30,000 acres, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge has 38 miles of multi-use trails and nature programs. Established in 1972, the preserve is home to 280 species of birds and several endangered species, like the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse. The Coyote Hills Regional Park is four miles northwest and has hiking, biking and horse-riding trails, camping sites and a pollinator garden.
Newark has been home to sea-salt evaporation ponds for over 150 years. These pools turn shades of pink, red, green and yellow due to microorganisms living in the salty water. The brightly colored ponds are hot spots for photographers. The nationally accredited Newark Museum of Art contains over 300,000 artworks and artifacts, making it one of the largest collections in the country. The museum hosts community events, public tours and the Newark Black Film Festival each July. It’s the longest-running Black film festival in the U.S.
Newark's Silliman Activity & Family Aquatic Center is one-of-a-kind in its design.
Newark Community Park is a 16-acre park with play structures & picnic tables.
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Local restaurants, NewPark Mall and a farmers' market
Locally owned and chain restaurants cluster around Newark Boulevard and Mowry Avenue. These establishments serve a variety of Asian cuisines, Mexican dishes and classic diner food. NewPark Mall is a regional shopping destination with over 140 retailers, restaurants and an IMAX movie theater. It hosts the Newark Farmers Market every Sunday. The Westlake Lido Faire Shopping Center is an open-air mall with national retailers, almost two dozen eateries and a supermarket. Other grocery stores are spread over the city.
Newark's Lazy Dog is a relaxed, lodge-chic chain serving global comfort fare.
Newark features many popular chain restaurants.
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Newark Unified School District and Ohlone College Newark Center
Newark Unified School District educates nearly 5,000 students across 10 campuses. It earned a B-ranking from Niche and is known for its educational initiative programs. The STEAM program focuses on technology and digital literacy to provide students with practical knowledge for a career or college. Its dual language initiative offers immersive courses in English and Spanish up to the sixth grade while graduating seniors who’ve completed language courses can earn a California Seal of Biliteracy on their diplomas. Ohlone College Newark Center offers associate degrees and professional certificates in biotechnology, registered nursing, environmental studies and more. Plus, Stanford University is 12 miles west.
Newark Memorial High School is a comprehensive high school in Newark.
Coyote Hills Elementary School in Newark is a public school named after the nearby hills.
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Rapidly rising home prices next door to Silicon Valley
Newark's mix of housing includes townhouses, multi-family buildings and single-family homes. Sixty-seven percent of homes are detached, and 82% were built between 1940 and 1999 and have two to four bedrooms. “Housing is more traditional in Newark, but there’s some new development attracting a younger demographic - larger, contemporary housing,” says Bondar.
The rising population in Newark has contributed to it becoming a highly competitive market, where housing prices have increased rapidly over the past 5 years. In fact, home prices rose by 10% over 2024. To meet the demand, townhome, condo and single-family communities are being constructed throughout the city. As of late 2024, homes were selling for a median price of $1.3 million, more than three times the national average of $400,000. “For an established single-family home that has three bedrooms and two bathrooms with 1,500 square feet on a 6,000 square-foot lot, you’re looking at around $1.2 million. On the other side of the Bay, that same house is at least $1.8 million, and in many places, more than $2 million,” Bondar says.
Many homes in Newark are single family detached ranch style homes.
Some of Newark's most sought after real estate is its waterfront properties.
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Major industries, large employers and the Washington Hospital Healthcare System
Newark's prominent industrial sectors include biotechnology, healthcare, professional services, and manufacturing. Some of the city’s largest employers include Amazon Fulfillment, Logitech, KNT Manufacturing and Cargill Salt, one of the country’s largest sea salt producers. The Alameda Health System’s Newark Wellness Clinic is another large employer. It provides the city with imaging labs, family medicine practices and lab services. Five miles away in Fremont, the Washington Hospital Healthcare System operates a hospital with an emergency room, cancer programs and a birth center. With Silicon Valley so close by, many Newark residents regularly commute to San Jose.
Amazon owns and operates a 29-acre fulfillment center in Newark.
Newark Wellness manages children's wellness at all ages and their urgent needs.
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Interstate 880, AC Transit and bike lanes
Newark is served by State Route 84 and Interstate 880, which lead to Palo Alto and San Jose, respectively. AC Transit operates bus routes through the city and across the East Bay, while adjacent Fremont has stations for BART and Amtrak trains. There can be significant noise pollution near the 880 Freeway during heavy travel times. The average commute time from Newark to Fremont or San Jose is 31 minutes one-way, higher than the national average of 27 minutes. Most roads have bike lanes and sidewalks, making running errands or walking more accessible. San Jose is 15 miles south, and Oakland is 25 miles north. Newark is also less than 26 miles from the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose International Airports.
SR84 is a state highway that connects Newark to San Francisco via the Dumbarton Bridge.
Newark's got some beautiful bicycle trails that follow the coast of the bay.
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Sunny days, air pollution and Newark’s crime rates
Winters in the city are short and rainy, while summers are long and dry with average daily high temperatures in the low 80s. The annual rainfall is 16 inches, and there are 260 sunny days. Newark experiences severe levels of air pollution, including heavy diesel emissions, around 15 days a year from industries along the Bay. People are advised to wear masks outdoors to avoid breathing problems and throat irritation.
Violent crime in Newark is 13% lower than the national average. Property crimes are 124% higher, with auto theft the most reported crime. Property crimes are thought to be increasing due to the city’s rising cost of living, which can create extreme financial stress.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
