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CITY · 2010 ACS

Watsonville

California · 51,199 residents · 6.786 sq mi
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The short version

Watsonville has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $46,675. Population has grown 16% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $445,900. At a median age of 29.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $445,900, the poverty rate sits 35% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 29.2
US median: 37.2
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 70%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
51,199
+16%since 2000
from 44,265 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
7,545 / sq mi
+16%since 2000
from 6,523 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
29.2
+7%since 2000
from 27.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
29K36K42K49K56K1990201020202024Watsonville
202452K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,675
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,617 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,227
+23%since 2000
from $13,205 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
26.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
18.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.407
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Agriculture, forestry, fishing20.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction20.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Information9.8%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade8.3%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.6%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$445,900
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $207,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,016
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $742 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
33.7%
−14.4 ptssince 2000
from 48.1% in 2000
56.0% rent
Vacancy rate
4.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
53.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
60.5%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 63.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
9.6
+73%since 2000
from 5.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watsonville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic19.4%(8,574)
Black0.5%(206)
Hispanic / Latino75.1%(33,254)
Asian3.1%(1,358)
Other0%
Diversity Score46.6%(20,619)
2010
White, non-Hispanic13.7%(7,038)
Black0.4%(200)
Hispanic / Latino81.4%(41,656)
Asian3%(1,549)
Other1.5%(764)
Diversity Score39.8%(20,365)
Diversity Score
40
−15%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.2%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
52.5%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 49.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
+42%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
67.5%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
21.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
15.8%
−33.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
50.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
41.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 38.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
4.1%
−46.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Watsonville

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Pop 49,752
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Pop 51,296
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Head to head

Compare Watsonville to nearby cities

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Income$109,150+134%
Home value$831,000+86%
Population8,068−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATSONVILLE VS
Rio del Mar
Income$159,929+243%
Home value$1,338,100+200%
Population9,201−82%
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WATSONVILLE VS
Prunedale
Income$103,819+122%
Home value$833,400+87%
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WATSONVILLE VS
Capitola
Income$102,976+121%
Home value$783,000+76%
Population9,340−82%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watsonville, California?

Watsonville, California has about 51,199 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watsonville, California?

The typical household in Watsonville, California earns about $46,675 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watsonville, California expensive?

In Watsonville, California, the median home is worth about $445,900, and the typical rent is about $1,016 a month.

How educated are people in Watsonville, California?

About 10.2% of adults age 25 and over in Watsonville, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watsonville, California?

About 18.7% of people in Watsonville, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watsonville, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Watsonville, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 20,100 residents, a change of about 65 percent over that period.

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

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