Contra Costa means “opposite coast” in Spanish. The county was given this name because it sits on the opposite coast of San Francisco, the most populous city at the time. Contra Costa County was one of the original 27 counties in California created in 1850 at the time of statehood.
Cities & Communities of Contra Costa Antioch. Brentwood. Clayton. Concord. Town of Danville. El Cerrito. Hercules. Lafayette. Martinez. Town of Moraga. Oakley. Orinda. Pinole. Pittsburg. Pleasant Hill. Richmond. San Pablo. San Ramon. Walnut Creek.
Contra Costa means "Opposite Coast" in Spanish, and was so named by the early Mexican Americans in describing the coast opposite San Francisco. The county's mild climate, quiet suburban lifestyle and wide open country are very attractive.
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (DE-SOWN-YAY) proudly represents California's 10th Congressional District, which includes much of Contra Costa County and a part of Alameda County. For more than 30 years in public service and as a small business owner, Mark has been a leader for working families.
Major industries in the county today include petroleum refining, healthcare, education, telecommunications, financial and retail services, steel manufacturing, prefabricated metals, chemicals, electronic equipment, paper products and food processing.
Contra Costa County is home to 19 cities and numerous unincorporated communities. See the County Supervisorial Districts map. For more information about local cities, visit the links below.
District 1 of Contra Costa County includes several unincorporated communities, or communities that don't fall within the boundaries of cities.