Santa Cruz, CA

Census Place

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2024 Population
61,607
US Senator
Alex Padilla
Democratic Party
US Senator
Adam Schiff
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
31.1
1.3% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
17%
3.3% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$115,475
3.63% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$1.21M
2.45% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
31,972
1.13% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Santa Cruz, 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.

93.8% of the residents in Santa Cruz, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Santa Cruz, CA are University of California-Santa Cruz (5,445 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Santa Cruz, CA was $1.21M, and the homeownership rate was 48.4%.

Most people in Santa Cruz, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Santa Cruz, CA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Coastline
Photo by fogcat5
United StatesCaliforniaSanta Cruz County, CASanta Cruz-Watsonville, CASanta Cruz County (North)--Watsonville & Scotts Valley Cities PUMA, CASanta Cruz County (South & Coastal)--Santa Cruz City PUMA, CA

Population & Diversity

Santa Cruz, CA is home to a population of 61.6k people, from which 93.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 13% of Santa Cruz, CA residents were born outside of the country (8.03k people).

In 2024, there were 6.09 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (36.7k people) in Santa Cruz, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.03k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 4.97k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.8%
2024 Citizenship
93.2%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 93.8% of Santa Cruz, CA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Santa Cruz, CA was 93.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Santa Cruz, CA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    36.7k ± 1.4k
  2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    6.03k ± 550
  3. Other (Hispanic)
    4.97k ± 1.09k
22.4%
Hispanic Population
13.8k people

In 2024, there were 6.09 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (36.7k people) in Santa Cruz, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.03k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 4.97k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

22.4% of the people in Santa Cruz, CA are hispanic (13.8k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Santa Cruz, CA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for California.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    3,862,617 ± 45,816 people
  2. Philippines
    824,246 ± 22,054 people
  3. China
    687,951 ± 20,184 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,862,617 California residents, followed by Philippines with 824,246 and China with 687,951.

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Foreign-Born Population

13%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
8.03k people
12.8%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
7.82k people

As of 2024, 13% of Santa Cruz, CA residents (8.03k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Santa Cruz, CA was 12.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    589 ± 196
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    240 ± 108
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    197 ± 117

Santa Cruz, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.45 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Santa Cruz, CA.

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Economy

The economy of Santa Cruz, CA employs 32k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Santa Cruz, CA were Educational Services (6,852 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,592 people), and Retail Trade (3,468 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($114,219), Information ($94,754), and Manufacturing ($89,519).

Employment

Occupations

32k
2024 Value
± 1,583
1.13%
1 Year growth
± 6.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Santa Cruz, CA grew at a rate of 1.13%, from 31.6k employees to 32k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Santa Cruz, CA, are Management Occupations (4,032 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (3,996 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,730 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Santa Cruz, CA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

32k
2024 Value
± 1,583
1.13%
1 Year growth
± 6.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Santa Cruz, CA grew at a rate of 1.13%, from 31.6k employees to 32k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Santa Cruz, CA, are Educational Services (6,852 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,592 people), and Retail Trade (3,468 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Santa Cruz, CA, though some of these residents may live in Santa Cruz, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$62,450
Median earning men ± $8,213
$40,062
Median earning women ± $6,173

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($168,125), Information ($96,719), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($96,471).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($94,366), Public Administration ($82,772), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($76,964).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
Y-Axis
2.57%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

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

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff 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

Voting results are not available for Santa Cruz, CA. Showing the available data for California.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (58.5%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
    Republican Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
Alex Padilla
Senator from California3
Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.
Adam Schiff
Senator from California1
Assumed office on December 8, 2024
Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff 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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Santa Cruz, CA awarded 5,445 degrees. The student population of Santa Cruz, CA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 9,662 male students and 10,102 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Santa Cruz, CA are White (1,920 and 39%), Hispanic or Latino (1,315 and 26.7%), Asian (1,055 and 21.4%), and Two or More Races (428 and 8.7%).

The largest universities in Santa Cruz, CA by number of degrees awarded are University of California-Santa Cruz (5,445 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Santa Cruz, CA are Computer Science (727 and 13.4%), General Psychology (511 and 9.38%), and Business & Managerial Economics (280 and 5.14%).

The median tuition cost in Santa Cruz, CA for a public four year colleges is $11,834 for in-state students and $42,611 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Santa Cruz, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 62.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 10.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 19,764 (48.9% men and 51.1% 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.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 19,764 students enrolled in Santa Cruz, CA, 48.9% men and 51.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,121 records, of which 51.6% were women and 48.4% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Computer Science
    658 degrees awarded
  2. General Psychology
    499 degrees awarded
  3. Business & Managerial Economics
    280 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Santa Cruz, CA was Computer Science with 658 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Gender
Race
University of California-Santa Cruz
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
5,445 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of California-Santa Cruz with 5,445 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 2,846 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Santa Cruz, CA, which is 1.1 times more than the 2,599 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,920 degrees mean that there were 1.46 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,315 degrees awarded.

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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.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($11,834) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,726) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,204) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Santa Cruz, CA was $1.21M in 2024, which is 3.63 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $1.18M to $1.21M, a 2.45% increase. The homeownership rate in Santa Cruz, CA is 48.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Santa Cruz, CA have an average commute time of 22.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Santa Cruz, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$1.21M
Median Property Value 2024
±$34,264
$10,511
Median Property Taxes
±$726

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, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

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Rent vs Own

48.4%
Homeownership
2024
64.7%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 48.4% of the housing units in Santa Cruz, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 47.7%.

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

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$115,475
Median Household Income
± $6,419
21.7k
Number of Households
± 1,212

In 2024, the median household income of the 21.7k households in Santa Cruz, CA grew to $115,475 from the previous year's value of $111,427.

The following chart displays the households in Santa Cruz, 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.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Santa Cruz, CA is from California.
0.495
2023 Wage GINI in California
0.498
2022 Wage GINI in California

In 2023, the income inequality in California was 0.495 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.573% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.476. 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.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (51.3%)
  2. Worked At Home (22.2%)
  3. Walked (9.04%)

In 2024, 51.3% of workers in Santa Cruz, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (22.2%) and those who walked to work (9.04%).

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.

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Commute Time

22.8 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Santa Cruz, CA have a shorter commute time (22.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.11% of the workforce in Santa Cruz, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Santa Cruz, 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, CA have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Santa Cruz, CA (8.88k out of 52.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

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

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.

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Health

96.2% of the population of Santa Cruz, CA has health coverage, with 54.1% on employee plans, 13% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 17.6% on non-group plans, and 0.564% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in California see 1,233 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1076 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 213 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 17.1% under 18 years, 37.7% between 18 and 34 years, 30.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

3.79%
Uninsured
54.1%
Employer Coverage
13%
Medicaid
11%
Medicare
17.6%
Non-Group
0.564%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Santa Cruz, CA grew by 1.41% from 3.73% to 3.79%.

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

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