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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Santa Cruz County

California · 255,602 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 $53,998. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $353,300.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 35.0
US median: 35.2
More educated
34% 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
255,602
+11%since 1990
from 229,734 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
574 / sq mi
+11%since 1990
from 516 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
35.0
+5%since 1990
from 33.3 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
225K239K252K265K278K1990201020202024Santa Cruz County
2024265K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,998
+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $37,112 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,396
+52%since 1990
from $17,347 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
11.9%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 10.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$353,300
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $255,400 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$924
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $713 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
60.0%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 59.9% in 1990
40.0% rent
Afford Score
6.5
−5%since 1990
from 6.9 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Cruz County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

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

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.2%
+4.5 ptssince 1990
from 29.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
83.2%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 81.9% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
12.5%
+2.1 ptssince 1990
from 10.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.5 min
−14%since 1990
from 25.1 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 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+204%
Home value$1,490,600+322%
Population1,914,391+640%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VS
San Mateo County
Income$158,855+194%
Home value$1,559,600+341%
Population743,568+187%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VS
Alameda County
Income$129,367+140%
Home value$1,090,100+209%
Population1,636,630+532%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VS
San Benito County
Income$114,394+112%
Home value$793,400+125%
Population70,082−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Cruz County, California?

Santa Cruz County, California has about 255,602 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Santa Cruz County, California earns about $53,998 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 $353,300, and the typical rent is about $924 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Cruz County, California?

About 34.2% 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 11.9% of people in Santa Cruz County, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santa Cruz County, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Santa Cruz County, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 25,868 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

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