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COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Santa Cruz County

California · 229,734 residents · 445.106 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Cruz County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $37,112. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $255,400.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 33.3
US median: 33.0
More educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
229,734
−10%vs 2000
vs 255,602 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
516 / sq mi
−10%vs 2000
vs 574 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
33.3
−5%vs 2000
vs 35.0 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
225K239K252K265K278K1990201020202024Santa Cruz County
2024265K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,112
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $53,998 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,347
−34%vs 2000
vs $26,396 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
10.7%
−1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.9% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$255,400
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $353,300 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$713
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $924 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
59.9%
−0.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 60.0% in 2000
40.1% rent
Afford Score
6.9
+5%vs 2000
vs 6.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Cruz County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic65.5%(167,464)
Black0.8%(2,160)
Hispanic / Latino26.8%(68,486)
Asian3.3%(8,464)
Other0%
Diversity Score57.5%(147,079)
1990
White, non-Hispanic84.1%(193,204)
Black1%(2,289)
Hispanic / Latino19.9%(45,827)
Asian3.8%(8,747)
Other11.1%(25,494)
Diversity Score58.9%(135,292)
Diversity Score
59
+2%vs 2000
vs 58 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.7%
−4.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 34.2% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
81.9%
−1.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 83.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
10.4%
−2.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 12.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.1 min
+17%vs 2000
vs 21.5 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 County

Harford County
Pop 266,446
Washington County
Pop 286,895
Cherokee County
Pop 299,273
Anchorage
Pop 287,155
Places similar to Santa Cruz County
Head to head

Compare Santa Cruz County to nearby counties

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VS
Santa Clara County
Income$164,281+343%
Home value$1,490,600+484%
Population1,914,391+640%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VS
San Mateo County
Income$158,855+328%
Home value$1,559,600+511%
Population743,568+187%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VS
Alameda County
Income$129,367+249%
Home value$1,090,100+327%
Population1,636,630+532%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VS
San Benito County
Income$114,394+208%
Home value$793,400+211%
Population70,082−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Cruz County, California?

Santa Cruz County, California has about 229,734 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Santa Cruz County, California earns about $37,112 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Cruz County, California expensive?

In Santa Cruz County, California, the median home is worth about $255,400, and the typical rent is about $713 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Cruz County, California?

About 29.7% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Cruz County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Cruz County, California?

About 10.7% of people in Santa Cruz County, California live below the federal poverty line.

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Explore from here

70 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 1004Census Tract 1002Census Tract 1225Census Tract 1212Census Tract 1208Census Tract 1205Census Tract 1220.01Census Tract 1005Census Tract 1011Census Tract 1104.02Census Tract 1105.05Census Tract 1209.02Census Tract 1106.01Census Tract 1206Census Tract 1203.01Census Tract 1217.01Census Tract 1220.05Census Tract 1010.02Census Tract 1101.02Census Tract 1224.02
17 ZIP codes
ZIP 95076ZIP 95060ZIP 95062ZIP 95003ZIP 95066ZIP 95073ZIP 95064ZIP 95033ZIP 95010ZIP 95065ZIP 95006ZIP 95005ZIP 95018ZIP 95019ZIP 95041ZIP 95017ZIP 95007
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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