Atherton is a small, rural, and residential community, with no industrial land-use base. Native live oaks, white oaks, bays, redwoods, cedars, pines, and other ornamental trees cover the six square miles of town.

Atherton’s population is 7,137, according to the 2019 census data. In November of 2020, there were 5,241 registered voters according to San Mateo County Elections data. The Town has approximately 2,500 households. The median age is 48.2 years.