Cherryland largely comprises the residential subdivision of the vast orchards (2,200 acres (8.9 km2)) of San Lorenzo pioneer William Meek, often called the "first farmer" of Alameda County. "Cherryland" was the name of one huge subdivision of this farm initiated by third-generation heirs in 1911. The Meek Mansion is located on Hampton Road in the northern part of Cherryland. The mansion is maintained by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, in conjunction with the Hayward Area Historical Society.
The racial makeup of the CDP in 2010 was 20.9% non-Hispanic White, 10.8% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 9.2% Asian, 1.9% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 54.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The census reported that 14,272 people (96.9% of the population) lived in households, 277 (1.9%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 179 (1.2%) were institutionalized.
There were 4,643 households, 1,963 (42.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,850 (39.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 844 (18.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 391 (8.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 447 (9.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 50 (1.1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,131 households (24.4%) were one person and 324 (7.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.07. There were 3,085 families (66.4% of households); the average family size was 3.64.
The age distribution was 3,956 people (26.9%) under the age of 18, 1,457 people (9.9%) aged 18 to 24, 4,728 people (32.1%) aged 25 to 44, 3,339 people (22.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,248 people (8.5%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 32.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.
There were 4,975 housing units at an average density of 4,155.5 units per square mile (1,604.4 units/km2),of which 4,643 were occupied, 1,458 (31.4%) by the owners and 3,185 (68.6%) by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%. 4,439 people (30.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,833 people (66.8%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
At the 2000 census there were 13,837 people, 4,658 households, and 3,018 families living in the CDP. The population density was 11,859.2 inhabitants per square mile (4,578.9/km2). There were 4,823 housing units at an average density of 4,133.6 units per square mile (1,596.0 units/km2).[24]
Of the 4,658 households 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 25.9% of households were one person and 7.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.46.
The age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.
The median household income was $42,880 and the median family income was $44,319. Males had a median income of $34,830 versus $29,724 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,929. About 9.0% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Cherryland is an unincorporated community of Alameda County,[25] and thus is overseen by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. In 2019, the Board of Supervisors created the Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council, an appointed council of seven community members, to assist the Board of Supervisors in policy decision making.