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CITY

Santa Cruz

California · 61,797 residents (2025 est.) · 12.74 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#151Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,209,000
The short version

Santa Cruz is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $115,475. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $1,209,000. At a median age of 31.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 31.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
58% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 67%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
61,607
+13%since 2000
from 54,593 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,836 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 4,285 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
31.1
−2%since 2000
from 31.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:61,797 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
47K52K57K61K66K1990201020202024Santa Cruz
202462K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$115,475
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,605 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$55,676
+116%since 2000
from $25,758 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
64.0%
+23.5 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.494
+3%since 2010
from 0.477 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,209,000
+67%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,452
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $941 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 46.6% in 2000
51.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.1%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.4%
−12.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.3%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
10.5
+33%since 2000
from 7.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
64
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Cruz on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72%(39,304)
Black1.6%(871)
Hispanic / Latino17.4%(9,491)
Asian4.8%(2,607)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.9%(27,223)
2024
White, non-Hispanic59.6%(36,745)
Black1.5%(931)
Hispanic / Latino22.4%(13,808)
Asian9.8%(6,029)
Other6.6%(4,094)
Diversity Score72.5%(44,650)
Diversity Score
72
+45%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
57.6%
+13.2 ptssince 2000
from 44.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.2%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 89.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
29.1%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+28%since 2000
from 17.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
51.3%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.2%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
4.7%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
22.2%
+16.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
9.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
5.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 63.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
57.2%
−15.1 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
50.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
13.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.4%
−47.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 8.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.8%
−83.6 ptssince 2013
from 87.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.5%
+7.0 ptssince 2017
from 88.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
72.3%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 74.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
15.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 14.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Santa Cruz to nearby cities

SANTA CRUZ VS
Live Oak
Income$103,674−10%
Home value$1,015,200−16%
Population16,911−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Capitola
Income$102,976−11%
Home value$783,000−35%
Population9,340−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Soquel
Income$118,777+3%
Home value$957,300−21%
Population10,679−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Scotts Valley
Income$143,750+24%
Home value$1,105,700−9%
Population11,652−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Cruz, California?

Santa Cruz, California has about 61,607 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Santa Cruz, California?

The typical household in Santa Cruz, California earns about $115,475 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Cruz, California expensive?

In Santa Cruz, California, the median home is worth about $1,209,000, and the typical rent is about $2,452 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Cruz, California?

About 57.6% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Cruz, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Cruz, California?

About 17.0% of people in Santa Cruz, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santa Cruz, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Santa Cruz, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,567 residents, a change of about 26 percent over that period.

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

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