Richmond Apartments and Rentals

Richmond, California, located just 16 miles northeast of San Francisco on the shore of Contra Costa County, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Bay Area. Richmond gained national attention during World War II as workers congregated in the city to support wartime industries such as four Kaiser shipyards and approximately 55 other war-related industries.

Now, Richmond is home to 104,513 residents and is an important center for oil refining, industrial development, shipping and transportation. Richmond's economy is expanding significantly on account of high tech industries moving to the area, and Richmond apartments for rent are in high demand as the city's major manufacturers upgrade their facilities and create new jobs for local residents.

Arts and culture are essential to the quality of life enjoyed by Richmond residents, whose contributions to the local art scene are displayed as part of the Public Art Program throughout the city. Public art projects are announced through open competitions and residents are encouraged to submit their latest creations.

It's easy to participate in outdoor activities in Richmond since the city maintains 46 neighborhood parks and is home to several larger regional parks operated by the East Bay Regional Park District. Richmond is also home to the Bay Trail, which offers a scenic view of the shoreline and paved pathways ideal for walking or biking in the California sun.

Although Richmond is quickly becoming known as a center for technological development, it remains a city with a diverse local economy based in agriculture, retail, construction and manufacturing. The top employers in Richmond are Chevron U.S.A., Inc., the Permanente Medical Group, Wal-Mart, Costco and California Autism Foundation, Inc.

Richmond is served by the West Contra Costa Unified School District, and students who decide to attend a community college typically enroll at Contra Costa College, conveniently located in the adjacent city of San Pablo. The school district also offers adult education classes, certificate programs and GED preparation. Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College are additional community colleges in Contra Costa County. Universities and colleges near Richmond include John F. Kennedy University and Saint Mary's College of California, both of which are private universities.

From the historic areas of Point Richmond on the shore of the San Francisco Bay to the Richmond Hills, Richmond neighborhoods offer a variety of housing options. Due to an increase in population, Richmond housing is at a premium; however, the city is dedicated to providing cost-efficient housing solutions to its residents through affordable housing programs and partnership with East Bay Neighborhood Housing Services. According to city-data.com, the median gross rent of Richmond apartments in 2009 was $1,127.

Community festivals are an important part of Richmond's culture, and the annual Juneteeth Parade & Festival offers family entertainment in Nicholl Park and a parade through four neighborhood communities. The Richmond Homefront Festival is another local favorite, and residents invite Bay Area guests to join in a celebration of Richmond's cultural heritage at the Craneway Pavilion.

The Richmond Museum of History is a local landmark and tourist attraction, and boasts an extensive collection of photographs and artifacts from the Kaiser shipyard in tribute to the economic foundation of Richmond during World War II. The crown jewel of the collection is a Model A Ford that rolled off Ford's Richmond assembly line in 1931, and the museum features a rotation of new exhibits to keep guests entertained throughout the year.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Richmond, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.