Ampex, Redwood City

Updated · 2,306 residents

Ampex is a mixed-use neighborhood in Redwood City defined by its proximity to industrial warehouses and major transit corridors. While the area offers a functional grid for pedestrians, residents experience significant noise from nearby rail lines and freeway traffic.

Key Highlights

Limited PrivacyFunctional Pedestrian AccessFunctional Suburban LayoutLimited Pet AmenitiesBalanced Suburban MixMixed Suburban EnergyHigh Noise LevelsMostly Clean AirMixed Industrial PresenceLimited Health CoverageStrongly LiberalDiverse Age GroupsHigh Flood Risk
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About Ampex

Ampex is characterized by a blend of residential tract housing and industrial logistics hubs. The layout features high lot coverage with closely positioned buildings, resulting in limited private yard space and reduced privacy for residents. The area maintains a balanced suburban feel, though the presence of large warehouses and active truck loading docks creates a distinct industrial atmosphere that differentiates it from surrounding residential zones. Living in the area requires navigating specific trade-offs, particularly regarding environmental and infrastructure factors. The neighborhood faces a notable risk of flooding, often necessitating specialized insurance for property owners. Additionally, acoustic comfort is frequently affected by proximity to heavy rail and freeway traffic. While the grid-based street layout provides functional pedestrian access, the community remains largely car-dependent. According to iHuus data, residents also face challenges with local health insurance accessibility, making this area best suited for those prioritizing proximity to transit and industrial employment hubs over quiet, low-density living.

Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities

Privacy Index
Score: 4.1 out of 10

Residential structures and commercial buildings are positioned closely together with minimal setbacks. This density is notably higher than the Redwood City average, resulting in less buffer between neighbors.

Ranked #21 in Redwood City →
Walkability
Score: 7.9 out of 10

A grid system with sidewalks and safe crossings facilitates easy movement, though pedestrian paths are occasionally interrupted by industrial blocks and a major rail corridor. This level of walkability is slightly lower than the Redwood City average.

Ranked #20 in Redwood City →
Visual Appeal
Score: 6 out of 10

Standard tract housing and rectangular apartment complexes define the area, which features less visual variety than the Redwood City average. According to iHuus data, the landscape is characterized by high lot coverage, boxy rooflines, and limited private yard space.

Ranked #21 in Redwood City →
Dog Friendliness
Score: 4.7 out of 10

Limited public park access and narrow street verges make for fewer walking options compared to the Redwood City average. While some residential streets offer shade from trees, most pet activity is restricted to private yards.

Ranked #21 in Redwood City →
Urban-Rural Index
Score: 5.8 out of 10

Streets and green spaces are distributed in relatively equal measure, though the area feels slightly less urbanized than the Redwood City average. Residents will find a varied landscape of residential blocks interspersed with large scale industrial and commercial warehouses.

Ranked #27 in Redwood City →
Neighborhood Vibe
Score: 5.6 out of 10

A blend of industrial zones and suburban streets offers more social activity and dining variety than most of Redwood City. While local eateries and parks provide pockets of interest, the landscape remains largely car-dependent.

Ranked #5 in Redwood City →
Acoustic Comfort
Score: 1.9 out of 10

Frequent noise from nearby railroad tracks and major freeway traffic characterizes this area. According to iHuus data, acoustic comfort is significantly lower than the Redwood City average.

Ranked #25 in Redwood City →
Air Quality
Score: 6.8 out of 10

Air quality in this area is generally good with only rare instances of elevated readings. According to iHuus data, the air quality here is better than the Redwood City average.

Ranked #3 in Redwood City →
Industrial Proximity
Score: 5.9 out of 10

Residential pockets sit alongside large warehouses, rail lines, and logistics hubs. This proximity to commercial zones and truck loading docks indicates more industrial activity than the Redwood City average.

Ranked #23 in Redwood City →
Health Insurance Coverage
Score: 3.4 out of 10

Health insurance access is notably lower in Ampex than in the rest of Redwood City, according to iHuus data. Residents may face greater challenges accessing medical services compared to the city average.

Ranked #26 in Redwood City →
Ideological Lean
Score: 9.9 out of 10

Voting patterns and census indicators show a predominantly liberal political leaning, which is slightly more pronounced than the Redwood City average.

Ranked #1 in Redwood City →
Population Age Profile
Score: 4.4 out of 10

Residents live among a balanced mix of young adults, families, and older populations. This age distribution is slightly more varied than the Redwood City average, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #26 in Redwood City →
Flood Safety
Score: 2.3 out of 10

Flood risk in this area is significantly higher than the Redwood City average, as much of the neighborhood sits within a designated floodplain. According to iHuus data, residents may find that flood insurance is typically required for properties here.

Ranked #22 in Redwood City →

Address-Level Insights for Ampex

iHuus Neighborhood Intelligence Insights

Get address-level neighborhood insights for Ampex

  • Street-level scores — see how individual blocks compare, not just neighborhood averages
  • Micro-zone boundaries — identify quiet pockets, flood boundaries, and walkable clusters before you visit
  • 15 dimensions in full — walkability, noise, air quality, school quality, insurance coverage, population age profile, urban/rural index, and more
  • Boundary risk alerts — know if your address sits near a block boundary where scores drop, the kind of detail no listing will ever mention
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Compare with Any Neighborhood

Compare with
DimensionAmpexArlington
🚶
Walkabilityavg 8.4
Score: 7.9 out of 10
Score: 7.9 out of 10
🔊
Acoustic Comfortavg 4.29
Score: 1.9 out of 10
Score: 4.5 out of 10
🤫
Privacy Indexavg 4.9
Score: 4.1 out of 10
Score: 5.4 out of 10
🎨
Visual Appealavg 7
Score: 6 out of 10
Score: 7.2 out of 10
🐕
Dog Friendlinessavg 6.12
Score: 4.7 out of 10
Score: 4 out of 10
🗺️
Urban-Rural Indexavg 6.63
Score: 5.8 out of 10
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Neighborhood Vibeavg 4.41
Score: 5.6 out of 10
Score: 4.7 out of 10
🏥
Health Insurance Coverageavg 7.97
Score: 3.4 out of 10
Score: 8.9 out of 10
🌿
Air Qualityavg 6.23
Score: 6.8 out of 10
Score: 6 out of 10
🏭
Industrial Proximityavg 8.38
Score: 5.9 out of 10
Score: 8.4 out of 10
🌊
Flood Safetyavg 4.84
Score: 2.3 out of 10
Score: 4.6 out of 10
🗳️
Ideological Leanavg 9.73
Score: 9.9 out of 10
Score: 9.8 out of 10
👥
Population Age Profileavg 4.84
Score: 4.4 out of 10
Score: 5 out of 10
🔥
Fire Safetyavg 0.22
Score: not available
Score: not available
🏫
School Quality
Score: not available
Score: not available

School Insights for Ampex

School Insights

See what's really behind every school rating near Ampex

  • Individual school ratings — each school's own score with outcome context, not just a district average
  • Enrollment & class size data — student-to-teacher ratio and how it compares to the state average
  • Full demographics breakdown — ethnicity and gender composition for every school in the enrollment zone
  • Every school in the district — all schools within the enrollment boundary ranked by rating, not just the closest one
  • Grade levels & benchmarks — elementary through high school, with below/above state-average flags

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ampex a quiet place to live?
The area experiences high noise levels due to its proximity to major railroad tracks and freeway traffic. Residents should expect regular noise from these transit corridors.
What is the flood risk in Ampex?
The neighborhood sits within a designated floodplain, resulting in a higher risk of flooding compared to other parts of Redwood City. Property owners in this area are typically required to maintain flood insurance.
How walkable is the Ampex neighborhood?
The area features a functional grid system with sidewalks that allow for pedestrian movement. However, walkability is occasionally interrupted by large industrial blocks and the nearby rail corridor.
What are the schools like in this area?
Students are served by the Redwood City Elementary School District and the Sequoia Union High School District. Both districts are currently navigating significant fiscal and operational transitions that impact resource allocation and class sizes.