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CITY · 2020 ACS

Santa Cruz

California · 62,956 residents · 12.74 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Cruz is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $86,618. Population has grown 15% since 2000. 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $895,800. At a median age of 33.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $895,800, the poverty rate sits 57% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
54% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
62,956
+15%since 2000
from 54,593 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,942 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 4,285 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.5
+6%since 2000
from 31.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
47K52K57K61K66K1990201020202024Santa Cruz
202462K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,618
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,605 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,594
+61%since 2000
from $25,758 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
55.5%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.2%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.2%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$895,800
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,038
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $941 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 46.6% in 2000
55.2% rent
Afford Score
10.3
+32%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic57.8%(36,373)
Black2.5%(1,571)
Hispanic / Latino24%(15,111)
Asian8.3%(5,222)
Other5.2%(3,256)
Diversity Score72.5%(45,613)
Diversity Score
72
+45%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
54.3%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 44.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.3%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 89.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
26.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
+29%since 2000
from 17.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
58.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 63.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
51.5%
−20.9 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
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
13.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.4%
−83.0 ptssince 2013
from 87.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Cruz

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Pop 62,662
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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+20%
Home value$1,015,200+13%
Population16,911−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Capitola
Income$102,976+19%
Home value$783,000−13%
Population9,340−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Soquel
Income$118,777+37%
Home value$957,300+7%
Population10,679−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ VS
Scotts Valley
Income$143,750+66%
Home value$1,105,700+23%
Population11,652−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Cruz, California?

Santa Cruz, California has about 62,956 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Santa Cruz, California earns about $86,618 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 $895,800, and the typical rent is about $2,038 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Cruz, California?

About 54.3% 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 20.2% 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 13,916 residents, a change of about 28 percent over that period.

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

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