Santa Cruz County, CA

County

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2021 Population

272,138

0.378% 1-year decline

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

38.5

0.785% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

10.9%

8.38% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$96,093

6.79% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$826,500

5.02% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

136,507

0.438% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Santa Cruz County, CA had a population of 272k people with a median age of 38.5 and a median household income of $96,093. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Santa Cruz County, CA declined from 273,170 to 272,138, a −0.378% decrease and its median household income grew from $89,986 to $96,093, a 6.79% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Santa Cruz County, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (56.1%), Other (Hispanic) (14.5%), White (Hispanic) (12.4%), Two+ (Hispanic) (5.96%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.73%).

None of the households in Santa Cruz County, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

89.8% of the residents in Santa Cruz County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Santa Cruz County, CA are University of California-Santa Cruz (6,014 degrees awarded in 2021), Cabrillo College (2,311 degrees), and Five Branches University (155 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Santa Cruz County, CA was $826,500, and the homeownership rate was 60.5%.

Most people in Santa Cruz County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Santa Cruz County, CA was 2 cars per household.

Santa Cruz County, CA borders Monterey County, CA, San Benito County, CA, San Mateo County, CA, and Santa Clara County, CA.

About the photo: Santa Cruz, CA

Photo by _quintin_

United States California Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Population & Diversity

Santa Cruz County, CA is home to a population of 272k people, from which 89.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 17.9% of Santa Cruz County, CA residents were born outside of the country (48.7k people).

In 2021, there were 3.87 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (153k people) in Santa Cruz County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 39.5k Other (Hispanic) and 33.7k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89.8%

2021 Citizenship

89.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 89.8% of Santa Cruz County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Santa Cruz County, CA was 89.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Santa Cruz County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Santa Cruz County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
153k ± 478
Other (Hispanic)
39.5k ± 2.7k
White (Hispanic)
33.7k ± 2.56k

34%

Hispanic Population

92.6k people

34% of the people in Santa Cruz County, CA are hispanic (92.6k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Santa Cruz County, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,959,545 ± 46,338 people
Philippines
828,655 ± 22,113 people
China
680,942 ± 20,084 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,959,545 California residents, followed by Philippines with 828,655 and China with 680,942.

Foreign-Born Population

17.9%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

48.7k people

17.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

48.1k people

As of 2021, 17.9% of Santa Cruz County, CA residents (48.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Santa Cruz County, CA was 17.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Santa Cruz County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,412 ± 438
Gulf War (2001-)
1,051 ± 278
Gulf War (1990s)
931 ± 246

Santa Cruz County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Santa Cruz County, CA employs 137k people. The largest industries in Santa Cruz County, CA are Educational Services (17,494 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (16,242 people), and Retail Trade (14,365 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($119,375), Utilities ($105,515), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($84,377).

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,050. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.497, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

137k

2021 Value

± 3,143

−0.438%

1 Year decline

± 3.24%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Santa Cruz County, CA declined at a rate of −0.438%, from 137k employees to 137k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Santa Cruz County, CA, are Management Occupations (17,690 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,043 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (13,003 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Santa Cruz County, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

137k

2021 Value

± 3,143

−0.438%

1 Year decline

± 3.24%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Santa Cruz County, CA declined at a rate of −0.438%, from 137k employees to 137k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Santa Cruz County, CA, are Educational Services (17,494 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (16,242 people), and Retail Trade (14,365 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Santa Cruz County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Santa Cruz County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,948

Median earning men ± $1,773

$37,171

Median earning women ± $1,735

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($101,642), Information ($85,074), and Public Administration ($84,825).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Information ($80,929), Public Administration ($69,490), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,160).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in California. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

3,497
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,710
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
1,316
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.39M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.05M
Manufacturing
$816k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $405B, followed by Mixed freight ($159B) and Pharmaceuticals ($155B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.21T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

109% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.21T. This is expected to increase 109% to $4.61T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$84.4B
Arizona
$44.8B
Ohio
$40.6B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $84.4B, followed by Arizona with $44.8B and Ohio and $40.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Santa Cruz County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 78.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (18.6%), followed by Other (1.35%).

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (78.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (18.6%)
Republican Party
Other (1.35%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Santa Cruz County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 78.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (18.6%), followed by Other (1.35%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Santa Cruz County, CA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 18, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Santa Cruz County, CA awarded 8,571 degrees. The student population of Santa Cruz County, CA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 14,295 male students and 15,086 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Santa Cruz County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (2,885 and 36.1%), followed by White (2,872 and 35.9%), Asian (1,328 and 16.6%), and Two or More Races (640 and 8.01%).

The largest universities in Santa Cruz County, CA by number of degrees awarded are University of California-Santa Cruz (6,014 and 70.2%), Cabrillo College (2,311 and 27%), and Five Branches University (155 and 1.81%).

The most popular majors in Santa Cruz County, CA are Computer Science (743 and 8.67%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (671 and 7.83%), and General Psychology (592 and 6.91%).

The median tuition cost in Santa Cruz County, CA for a public four year colleges is $11,442 for in-state students and $41,196 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Santa Cruz County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 58.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 11.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 29,381 (48.7% men and 51.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 29,381 students enrolled in Santa Cruz County, CA, 48.7% men and 51.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 10,189 records, of which 50.5% were women and 49.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer Science
670 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
510 degree-majors awarded
Cellular & Molecular Biology
297 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Santa Cruz County, CA was Computer Science with 670 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Santa Cruz County, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of California-Santa Cruz
6,014 degrees awarded
Cabrillo College
2,311 degrees awarded
Five Branches University
155 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of California-Santa Cruz with 6,014 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 3,883 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Santa Cruz County, CA, which is 0.828 times less than the 4,688 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 2,885 degrees mean that there were 1 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 2,872 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($11,442) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,628) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,746) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Measure

In 2021, 1.89% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 2.12% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Some college (7.01M), High School or Equivalent (6.74M), and Bachelors Degree (6.25M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Santa Cruz County, CA was $826,500 in 2021, which is 3.37 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $787,000 to $826,500, a 5.02% increase. The homeownership rate in Santa Cruz County, CA is 60.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Santa Cruz County, CA have an average commute time of 26.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Santa Cruz County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Santa Cruz County, CA is $96,093. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Santa Cruz County, CA was Census Tract 1212 with a value of $174,085, followed by Census Tract 1220.02 and Census Tract 1233, with respective values of $157,870 and $155,417.

In 2022, 26.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Santa Cruz County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.687%.

Housing

Property

$826,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$12,406

$58,321

Median Property Taxes

±$1,527

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Santa Cruz County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Santa Cruz County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

60.5%

Homeownership

2021

68.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 60.5% of the housing units in Santa Cruz County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 60.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Santa Cruz County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 1212
Census Tract 1220.02
Census Tract 1233

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Santa Cruz County, CA was Census Tract 1212 with a value of $174,085, followed by Census Tract 1220.02 and Census Tract 1233, with respective values of $157,870 and $155,417.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Santa Cruz County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$96,093

Median Household Income

± $2,903

96.5k

Number of Households

± 2,433

In 2021, the median household income of the 96.5k households in Santa Cruz County, CA grew to $96,093 from the previous year's value of $89,986.

The following chart displays the households in Santa Cruz County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Santa Cruz County, CA is from California.

0.497

2021 Wage GINI in California

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

In 2021, the income inequality in California was 0.497 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.12% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (66.2%)
Worked At Home (13.9%)
Carpooled (8.78%)

In 2021, 66.2% of workers in Santa Cruz County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.9%) and those who carpooled to work (8.78%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Santa Cruz County, CA have a longer commute time (26.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.15% of the workforce in Santa Cruz County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Santa Cruz County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Santa Cruz County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Santa Cruz County, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 26.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Santa Cruz County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.687%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Santa Cruz County, CA (28.4k out of 260k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Santa Cruz County, CA is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 10.6% of the children was living in poverty in Santa Cruz County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 7.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 410 in Santa Cruz County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 64.6 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

94.6% of the population of Santa Cruz County, CA has health coverage, with 49% on employee plans, 17.3% on Medicaid, 12.2% on Medicare, 15.4% on non-group plans, and 0.545% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Santa Cruz County, CA see 969 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.82% decrease from the previous year (987 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1227 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 115 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

969 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Santa Cruz County, CA

Primary care physicians in Santa Cruz County, CA see an average of 969 patients per year. This represents a 1.82% decrease from the previous year (987 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Santa Cruz County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.7% under 18 years, 24.4% between 18 and 34 years, 37.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.45%

Uninsured

49%

Employer Coverage

17.3%

Medicaid

12.2%

Medicare

15.4%

Non-Group

0.545%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Santa Cruz County, CA grew by 4.88% from 5.19% to 5.45%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Santa Cruz County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 30.6 in Santa Cruz County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Santa Cruz County, CA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 29.3% in Santa Cruz County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Santa Cruz County, CA.

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