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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Santa Cruz

California · 54,593 residents · 12.74 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Cruz is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $50,605. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $397,100. Despite a median home value of $397,100, the poverty rate sits 33% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 31.7
US median: 35.2
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
54,593
+11%since 1990
from 49,040 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,285 / sq mi
+11%since 1990
from 3,849 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
31.7
+3%since 1990
from 30.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
47K52K57K61K66K1990201020202024Santa Cruz
202462K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,605
+21%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $31,857 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,758
+66%since 1990
from $15,538 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
16.5%
+0.8 ptssince 1990
from 15.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$397,100
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $259,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$941
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $707 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
46.6%
−0.8 ptssince 1990
from 47.4% in 1990
53.4% rent
Afford Score
7.8
−4%since 1990
from 8.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Cruz on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(42,110)
Black2.2%(1,076)
Hispanic / Latino13.2%(6,467)
Asian4.5%(2,192)
Diversity Score50.6%(24,802)
2000
White, non-Hispanic72%(39,304)
Black1.6%(871)
Hispanic / Latino17.4%(9,491)
Asian4.8%(2,607)
Diversity Score49.9%(27,223)
Diversity Score
50
−1%since 1990
from 51 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.4%
+9.2 ptssince 1990
from 35.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
89.1%
+3.4 ptssince 1990
from 85.7% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
17.5%
+4.1 ptssince 1990
from 13.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.8 min
−21%since 1990
from 22.5 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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+105%
Home value$1,015,200+156%
Population16,911−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Capitola
Income$102,976+103%
Home value$783,000+97%
Population9,340−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Soquel
Income$118,777+135%
Home value$957,300+141%
Population10,679−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Scotts Valley
Income$143,750+184%
Home value$1,105,700+178%
Population11,652−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Cruz, California?

Santa Cruz, California has about 54,593 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Santa Cruz, California earns about $50,605 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 $397,100, and the typical rent is about $941 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Cruz, California?

About 44.4% 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 16.5% 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 5,553 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →