Santa Cruz, CA

Census Place

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2021 Population

62,714

3.53% 1-year decline

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

3.2% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

18.7%

7.39% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$96,217

11.1% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$933,000

4.15% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

32,964

2.9% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Santa Cruz, CA had a population of 62.7k people with a median age of 29 and a median household income of $96,217. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Santa Cruz, CA declined from 65,011 to 62,714, a −3.53% decrease and its median household income grew from $86,618 to $96,217, a 11.1% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Santa Cruz, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (60.8%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (10.6%), White (Hispanic) (8.4%), Other (Hispanic) (6.48%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.12%).

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.

92.2% of the residents in Santa Cruz, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Santa Cruz, CA are University of California-Santa Cruz (6,014 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Santa Cruz, CA was $933,000, and the homeownership rate was 45.9%.

Most people in Santa Cruz, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Santa Cruz, CA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Coastline

Photo by fogcat5

United States California Santa Cruz County, CA Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Watsonville & Scotts Valley Cities PUMA, CA Santa Cruz City PUMA, CA

Population & Diversity

Santa Cruz, CA is home to a population of 62.7k people, from which 92.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 13.8% of Santa Cruz, CA residents were born outside of the country (8.63k people).

In 2021, there were 5.75 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (38.1k people) in Santa Cruz, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.63k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 5.27k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.2%

2021 Citizenship

92.2%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 92.2% of Santa Cruz, 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, CA was 92.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Santa Cruz, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
38.1k ± 1.16k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
6.63k ± 535
White (Hispanic)
5.27k ± 966

21.1%

Hispanic Population

13.2k people

21.1% of the people in Santa Cruz, CA are hispanic (13.2k people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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

13.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

8.63k people

13.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

8.93k people

As of 2021, 13.8% of Santa Cruz, CA residents (8.63k 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, CA was 13.7%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
682 ± 176
Gulf War (2001-)
343 ± 167
Gulf War (1990s)
204 ± 121

Santa Cruz, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.99 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Santa Cruz, CA employs 33k people. The largest industries in Santa Cruz, CA are Educational Services (6,904 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,956 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (3,653 people), and the highest paying industries are Public Administration ($91,437), Wholesale Trade ($89,952), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($83,518).

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

33k

2021 Value

± 1,582

−2.9%

1 Year decline

± 6.84%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Santa Cruz, CA declined at a rate of −2.9%, from 33.9k employees to 33k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Santa Cruz, CA, are Management Occupations (4,067 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (3,333 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (3,249 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Santa Cruz, 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

33k

2021 Value

± 1,582

−2.9%

1 Year decline

± 6.84%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Santa Cruz, CA declined at a rate of −2.9%, from 33.9k employees to 33k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Santa Cruz, CA, are Educational Services (6,904 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,956 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (3,653 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$51,329

Median earning men ± $4,345

$31,217

Median earning women ± $2,237

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($106,292), Public Administration ($100,083), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($95,147).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($92,589), Public Administration ($91,269), and Information ($81,696).

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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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 California went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%).

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

Voting results are not available for Santa Cruz, CA. Showing the available data for California.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (63.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (34.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.07%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California 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, CA awarded 6,014 degrees. The student population of Santa Cruz, CA in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 10,375 male students and 9,466 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Santa Cruz, CA are White (1,932 and 35.4%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,616 and 29.6%), Asian (1,174 and 21.5%), and Two or More Races (518 and 9.49%).

The largest universities in Santa Cruz, CA by number of degrees awarded are University of California-Santa Cruz (6,014 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Santa Cruz, CA are Computer Science (729 and 12.1%), General Psychology (520 and 8.65%), and Cellular & Molecular Biology (313 and 5.2%).

The median tuition cost in Santa Cruz, 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, 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 19,841 (52.3% men and 47.7% 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 19,841 students enrolled in Santa Cruz, CA, 52.3% men and 47.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,410 records, of which 47.1% were women and 52.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
510 degrees awarded
Cellular & Molecular Biology
297 degrees awarded
Computer Science
670 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Santa Cruz, CA was General Psychology with 510 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

University of California-Santa Cruz

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

6,014 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, 2,948 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Santa Cruz, CA, which is 0.962 times less than the 3,066 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,932 degrees mean that there were 1.2 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,616 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, 4-year or above ($1,162) 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, CA was $933,000 in 2021, which is 3.81 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $895,800 to $933,000, a 4.15% increase. The homeownership rate in Santa Cruz, CA is 45.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Santa Cruz, CA have an average commute time of 22.7 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.

Median household income in Santa Cruz, CA is $96,217. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Santa Cruz, CA was Census Tract 1212 with a value of $174,085, followed by Census Tract 1011 and Census Tract 1202, with respective values of $121,535 and $118,125.

Housing

Property

$933,000

Median Property Value 2021

±$21,814

$10,130

Median Property Taxes

±$741

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.

Rent vs Own

45.9%

Homeownership

2021

65.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 45.9% of the housing units in Santa Cruz, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 46.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Santa Cruz, 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 1011
Census Tract 1202

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Santa Cruz, CA was Census Tract 1212 with a value of $174,085, followed by Census Tract 1011 and Census Tract 1202, with respective values of $121,535 and $118,125.

The following map shows all of the places in Santa Cruz, 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.

$96,217

Median Household Income

± $6,264

22.1k

Number of Households

± 1,210

In 2021, the median household income of the 22.1k households in Santa Cruz, CA grew to $96,217 from the previous year's value of $86,618.

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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Santa Cruz, 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 (56.7%)
Worked At Home (14.3%)
Walked (10.5%)

In 2021, 56.7% of workers in Santa Cruz, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.3%) and those who walked to work (10.5%).

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

22.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Santa Cruz, CA have a shorter commute time (22.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.09% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Santa Cruz, CA (9.86k out of 52.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher 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 35 - 44.

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

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.

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.

Health

95.8% of the population of Santa Cruz, CA has health coverage, with 55% on employee plans, 11.1% on Medicaid, 9.66% on Medicare, 19.7% on non-group plans, and 0.369% 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.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Santa Cruz County, CA.

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 18.1% under 18 years, 38.7% between 18 and 34 years, 30.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.1% were men and 51.9% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.21%

Uninsured

55%

Employer Coverage

11.1%

Medicaid

9.66%

Medicare

19.7%

Non-Group

0.369%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Santa Cruz, CA declined by 3.21% from 4.35% to 4.21%.

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.