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CITY · 2020 ACS

Watsonville

California · 52,590 residents · 6.786 sq mi
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The short version

Watsonville has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $61,496. Population has grown 19% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $500,300. At a median age of 33.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 61%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
52,590
+19%since 2000
from 44,265 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
7,750 / sq mi
+19%since 2000
from 6,523 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.1
+21%since 2000
from 27.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
29K36K42K49K56K1990201020202024Watsonville
202452K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,496
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,617 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,595
+71%since 2000
from $13,205 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
41.2%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 19.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing16.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction16.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$500,300
+61%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $207,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,502
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $742 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
41.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2000
from 48.1% in 2000
58.2% rent
Afford Score
8.1
+48%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic12.3%(6,462)
Black0.5%(238)
Hispanic / Latino82.3%(43,303)
Asian2.8%(1,458)
Other0.4%(220)
Diversity Score35.2%(18,503)
Diversity Score
35
−24%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.3%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
64.3%
+15.2 ptssince 2000
from 49.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.9 min
+63%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
19.4%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
50.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
36.1%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 38.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.4%
−69.4 ptssince 2013
from 76.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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WATSONVILLE VS
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WATSONVILLE VS
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WATSONVILLE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watsonville, California?

Watsonville, California has about 52,590 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watsonville, California?

The typical household in Watsonville, California earns about $61,496 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 $500,300, and the typical rent is about $1,502 a month.

How educated are people in Watsonville, California?

About 13.3% 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 13.9% 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 21,491 residents, a change of about 69 percent over that period.

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

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