August 13, 2026 - Silicon Valley families are facing some of the highest back-to-school costs in the nation — at a time when 65% say they have to cut back on necessities to make ends meet. Although California schools are required to provide instructional materials, the requirement does not extend to school supplies or participation in after-school activities.
August 12, 2026 - Silicon Valley’s unemployment rate is holding steady at 3.9%, according to data from June 2026, the most recent month available. This rate is among the lowest in the state — slightly higher than in San Francisco, but lower than in California or the United States overall.
July 20, 2026 - California’s school finance system delivers uneven funding results for Silicon Valley school districts. Some receive close to 90% of their revenues from local sources, while others — despite serving students just a few miles away — must rely heavily on state and federal funding. The disparities fuel ongoing debate about the tradeoffs between local control and educational equity.
Top Videos
The 2026 Silicon Valley Index briefings
Joint Venture CEO Russell Hancock summarized the major findings from the 2026 Silicon Valley Index in two long-format briefings, one detailing the health of the Silicon Valley economy and the innovation ecosystem; the other reviewing the Valley’s community health. Rather than employ panelists, Hancock enlisted regional luminaries to contribute to dialogue in their area of expertise.
Joint Venture’s 2026 State of the Valley conference was held on February 27 at San José State University. You can view the full playlist on our YouTube channel.
Top Downloads
2026 Silicon Valley Index
The 2026 Silicon Valley Index shows $92 billion in venture capital, more than 23,000 new patents, and hundreds of unicorns driving productivity. But with median home prices nearing $2 million and a quarter of households unable to meet basic needs, the gulf between Silicon Valley’s sky-high output and life on the ground remains clear.
Learn more about the Silicon Valley Index online at siliconvalleyindicators.org.
2025 Silicon Valley Poll
The 2025 Silicon Valley Poll reveals growing optimism about life in the Bay Area, even as respondents voice concerns about the direction of national and state policies.
Commercial Space Report Q1 - May 2026
Office vacancies have climbed above dot-com-era highs, asking rents continue to decline across all major space types, and commercial development has slowed to its lowest level in over a decade. At the same time, leasing activity is on track to record its highest volume since 2022, driven by expansion in research and development and flex space.
Joint Venture’s Q1 2026 market update — released in partnership with JLL Silicon Valley — breaks down the latest trends shaping Silicon Valley’s commercial real estate landscape, including vacancies, rents, leasing activity, and development.
