METRO AREA · 2000 CENSUS

Santa Cruz Metro

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA · 1 counties · 255,602 residents · 445.106 sq mi

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The short version

Santa Cruz 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

2024265K

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 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

−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.

In this metro

Principal cities

Santa CruzCENTRAL61,797 WatsonvilleCENTRAL50,716

What's inside

1 component county

Santa Cruz CountyCENTRAL258,852

Drill deeper

Metros similar to Santa Cruz

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has about 255,602 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The typical household in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns about $53,998 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA expensive?

In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the median home is worth about $353,300, and the typical rent is about $924 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

About 34.2% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

About 11.9% of people in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA grown since 1990?

Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA 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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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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