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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Santa Cruz

California · 49,040 residents · 12.74 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Cruz has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $31,857. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $259,800.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 30.8
US median: 33.0
More educated
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 14%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
49,040
−10%vs 2000
vs 54,593 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,849 / sq mi
−10%vs 2000
vs 4,285 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
30.8
−3%vs 2000
vs 31.7 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
47K52K57K61K66K1990201020202024Santa Cruz
202462K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,857
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $50,605 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,538
−40%vs 2000
vs $25,758 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
15.7%
−0.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 16.5% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$259,800
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $397,100 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$707
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $941 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
47.4%
+0.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 46.6% in 2000
52.6% rent
Afford Score
8.2
+4%vs 2000
vs 7.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
1990
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(42,110)
Black2.2%(1,076)
Hispanic / Latino13.2%(6,467)
Asian4.5%(2,192)
Other7.5%(3,662)
Diversity Score50.6%(24,802)
Diversity Score
51
+1%vs 2000
vs 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.2%
−9.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 44.4% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
85.7%
−3.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 89.1% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
13.4%
−4.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 17.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
+26%vs 2000
vs 17.8 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Cruz

Wellington
Pop 62,662
Brookhaven
Pop 59,643
Jupiter
Pop 62,350
Marana
Pop 65,523
Places similar to Santa Cruz
Head to head

Compare Santa Cruz to nearby cities

SANTA CRUZ VS
Live Oak
Income$103,674+225%
Home value$1,015,200+291%
Population16,911−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Capitola
Income$102,976+223%
Home value$783,000+201%
Population9,340−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Soquel
Income$118,777+273%
Home value$957,300+268%
Population10,679−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Scotts Valley
Income$143,750+351%
Home value$1,105,700+326%
Population11,652−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Cruz, California?

Santa Cruz, California has about 49,040 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Santa Cruz, California earns about $31,857 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 $259,800, and the typical rent is about $707 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Cruz, California?

About 35.2% 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 15.7% of people in Santa Cruz, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →