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CITY

Capitola

California · 9,340 residents (2025 est.) · 1.594 sq mi
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The short version

Capitola is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $102,976. Population has declined 3% since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $783,000. With a median age of 47.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,689
−3%since 2000
from 10,033 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,078 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 6,294 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.6
+24%since 2000
from 38.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,340 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K10K10K10K1990201020202024Capitola
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$102,976
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,048 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$69,352
+151%since 2000
from $27,609 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
68.6%
+33.3 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.9%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.471
+7%since 2010
from 0.438 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$783,000
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $330,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,512
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $973 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
52.2%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 46.8% in 2000
47.8% rent
Vacancy rate
11.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.7%
−23.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.5%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
7.6
+6%since 2000
from 7.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Capitola on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.4%(7,870)
Black1.1%(109)
Hispanic / Latino12.6%(1,267)
Asian3.9%(387)
Other0%
Diversity Score39.2%(3,932)
2024
White, non-Hispanic63.5%(6,154)
Black1.1%(105)
Hispanic / Latino26.5%(2,571)
Asian3.8%(366)
Other5.1%(493)
Diversity Score65.3%(6,322)
Diversity Score
65
+67%since 2000
from 39 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
47.9%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 34.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 91.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
19.4%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
+6%since 2000
from 22.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
52.8%
−21.6 ptssince 2009
from 74.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.1%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
28.2%
+20.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.2%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
51.8%
−18.7 ptssince 2009
from 70.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
14.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.9%
−39.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.3%
+8.1 ptssince 2012
from 10.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.4%
−76.2 ptssince 2013
from 80.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.5%
+14.5 ptssince 2017
from 80.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
80.8%
+3.8 ptssince 2016
from 77.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
13.1%
−5.6 ptssince 2016
from 18.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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CAPITOLA VS
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CAPITOLA VS
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CAPITOLA VS
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Population61,797+562%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Capitola, California?

Capitola, California has about 9,689 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Capitola, California?

The typical household in Capitola, California earns about $102,976 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Capitola, California expensive?

In Capitola, California, the median home is worth about $783,000, and the typical rent is about $2,512 a month.

How educated are people in Capitola, California?

About 47.9% of adults age 25 and over in Capitola, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Capitola, California?

About 12.9% of people in Capitola, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Capitola, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Capitola, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 482 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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