Explore El Cerrito local geography, civic resources and voter guides, with dated official population and registration facts for Contra Costa County.
At a glance: El Cerrito is an incorporated city in Contra Costa County. Population: 26,166 (California Department of Finance estimate as of January 1, 2026). Registered voters: 17,807 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
El Cerrito rises from the San Pablo Avenue corridor into the western East Bay hills. The Ohlone Greenway crosses its lower neighborhoods, while hillside open space offers a different perspective on the surrounding urban shoreline. The Hillside Natural Area and Ohlone Greenway are important outdoor civic resources. Cerrito Vista Park also serves as a community gathering place and hosted festivities during the city's 2017 centennial celebration. El Cerrito incorporated on August 23, 1917. Contra Costa LAFCO's March 2024 directory identifies it as a charter city; municipal administration operates through a city manager under council policy direction.
The official March 2024 Contra Costa LAFCO directory classifies El Cerrito as a charter city. An older city explanatory page still describes the pre-charter general-law status.
The city celebrated throughout 2017, marking incorporation on August 23, 1917.
Contra Costa County Elections handles registration, ballots, and voting-location information for El Cerrito residents.
17,807 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
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