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CITY · 2020 ACS

Capitola

California · 9,938 residents · 1.594 sq mi
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The short version

Capitola is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $81,617. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $712,000. With a median age of 46.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 44%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,938
−1%since 2000
from 10,033 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,235 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 6,294 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.8
+22%since 2000
from 38.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K10K10K10K1990201020202024Capitola
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$81,617
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,048 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$48,060
+74%since 2000
from $27,609 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
54.6%
+19.3 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 10%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$712,000
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $330,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,932
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $973 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
48.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 46.8% in 2000
51.9% rent
Afford Score
8.7
+22%since 2000
from 7.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic65%(6,455)
Black1%(103)
Hispanic / Latino22.4%(2,227)
Asian4.8%(477)
Other3.7%(364)
Diversity Score61.6%(6,122)
Diversity Score
62
+57%since 2000
from 39 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
39.6%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 34.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 91.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+4%since 2000
from 22.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.0%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 74.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
−8.0 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 66.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
45.7%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 70.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
54.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
13.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.8%
−75.8 ptssince 2013
from 80.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Capitola

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Head to head

Compare Capitola to nearby cities

CAPITOLA VS
Soquel
Income$118,777+46%
Home value$957,300+34%
Population10,679+14%
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CAPITOLA VS
Live Oak
Income$103,674+27%
Home value$1,015,200+43%
Population16,911+81%
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CAPITOLA VS
Rio del Mar
Income$159,929+96%
Home value$1,338,100+88%
Population9,201−1%
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CAPITOLA VS
Santa Cruz
Income$115,475+41%
Home value$1,209,000+70%
Population61,797+562%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Capitola, California?

Capitola, California has about 9,938 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Capitola, California?

The typical household in Capitola, California earns about $81,617 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 $712,000, and the typical rent is about $1,932 a month.

How educated are people in Capitola, California?

About 39.6% 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 13.0% 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 233 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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

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