Piedmont, a small city of about 11,000 residents entirely enclosed by Oakland, California, is facing criticism and calls for its dissolution due to significant disparities in wealth, income, and crime rates compared to its larger neighbor.

Piedmont boasts a median home value of $2.57 million and a median household income of at least $250,000, starkly contrasting with Oakland's median home value of $721,966 and median household income of $101,600. The occupational makeup of Piedmont residents is heavily skewed towards management and professional, scientific, and technical services, with median earnings for men around $228,000 and for women around $140,000 in 2024. In Oakland, median earnings for men were approximately $66,000 and for women around $62,000 in the same year.

Public Safety Divide

The difference in public safety is particularly pronounced. In 2025, Oakland recorded 4,824 violent crimes, including 56 homicides, 1,661 robberies, and 147 rapes. Piedmont, with its own police department, reported a drastically lower figure of five robberies and one aggravated assault in the same year.

Activism and Disparities

This stark separation has fueled a campaign called "Cancel Piedmont," spearheaded by Oakland resident Jesse Rosemoore. The movement highlights the historical and ongoing economic barriers that make affluent communities like Piedmont inaccessible to many, particularly in the context of racial demographics. Piedmont is 68.6% white and 0.8% Black, while Oakland is 29.6% white and 20.2% Black. Rosemoore argues that Piedmont's existence exemplifies broader societal divides in race, housing, and wealth within the Bay Area.

Rosemoore, who began distributing "CANCEL PIEDMONT" merchandise about 14 months ago, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the situation in Piedmont "says a lot about our society as a whole." He contends that true diversity and inclusion cannot be achieved without accessible housing.

Community Response

Some Piedmont officials and residents view the criticism as unfair. Jean Chen Takazawa, director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for the Piedmont Unified School District, stated, "The reality is, we're doing good work here. Stop judging us and let us just do the work." Rosemoore acknowledges that the annexation of Piedmont by Oakland is unlikely, as it would require approval from Piedmont residents. He views his campaign not as a personal attack, but as a means to draw attention to systemic issues illustrated by the enclave's unique existence.