Santa Cruz, CA — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Santa Cruz County · California
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Santa Cruz based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
60,953
2023 ACS
Median Income
$111,427
2023
Median Home Value
$1,180,100
2023
Median Rent
$2,302
2023
Median Age
30.7
Unemployment
6.3%
Cost of Living Index
225.2
100 = national avg
Santa Cruz is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, with a population of 60,953 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Santa Cruz is one of the communities in California.
The median household income in Santa Cruz is $111,427, and the median home value is $1,180,100. The cost of living index is 225.2 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $2,302 per month. The unemployment rate is 6.3%, and the median age is 30.7 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
60,953
Male
30,134
49.4%
Female
30,819
50.6%
Median Age
30.7
Age Distribution
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
33.5%
High School or Higher
39.5%
Foreign Born
12.8%
Veterans
2.2%
Married
29.2%
Avg Household Size
2.3
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.483
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
65.8%
Foreign Born
12.8%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
22.4%
13,660 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
77.6%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
59,288
English Only
73.4%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
8,780 speakers
Limited English
6.0%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
94.0%
Limited English Proficiency
6.0%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
1,337
2.2% of population
Disability Rate
22.6%
302 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$66,696
Unemployment Rate
8.9%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
1,233
92.2%
Female Veterans
104
7.8%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$66,696
Non-Veteran Income
$37,157
Difference
$29,539
79.5% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
302
Without Disability
1,035
Disability Rate
22.6%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
42,776
#1 Ancestry
Irish
11.5% (7,035)
#2 Ancestry
English
11.1% (6,774)
#3 Ancestry
German
11.0% (6,693)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
21,669
Family Households
10,453
48.2%
Married Couples
8,214
37.9%
Non-Family Households
11,216
51.8%
Single Mother Households
1,626
7.5%
Single Father Households
613
2.8%
Living Alone
6,498
30.0%
Children Under 18
Total Children
6,430
In Married Couple
4,937
76.8%
With Single Mother
949
14.8%
With Single Father
544
8.5%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$169,171
Married Couple Income
$195,749
Single Mother Income
$56,579
Single Father Income
$111,146
Avg Family Size
2.3
Avg Non-Family Size
2.2
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
440
Grandparents Responsible
114
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$111,427
+52% vs national
Per Capita Income
$54,688
+47% vs national
Poverty Rate
17.6%
+30% vs national
Gini Index
0.5073
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
6.3%
+21% vs national
SNAP Recipients
10.4%
of households
How Santa Cruz Compares
Santa Cruz vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Santa Cruz is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Santa Cruz, CA has a median household income of $111,427, making it the 3,485th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher median household income than 88% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Santa Cruz, CA has a per capita income of $54,688, making it the 3,477th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher per capita income than 88% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Santa Cruz, CA has a poverty rate of 17.6%, making it the 8,836th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher poverty rate than 72% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Santa Cruz, CA has a unemployment rate of 6.3%, making it the 8,562nd highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher unemployment rate than 72% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Santa Cruz. The median household income here is $111,427.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
6.3%
-17% vs CA avg
Labor Force
33,751
Employed
31,615
Mean Commute
18 min
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
33.5%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
39.5%
of adults 25+
Median Age
30.7
Work from Home
19.3%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Registered Nurses
Top Median Wage
$178.9K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
225.2
100 = national avg
+125.2 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$99,072
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$234,170
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$3,298
per month
2 Bedroom
$4,214
per month
The median household income in Santa Cruz, CA is $111,427, which is 52.2% above the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $54,688. The poverty rate of 17.6% is higher than the CA state average of 13.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.5073, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 6.3%, compared to the state average of 7.6%. The labor force is 33,751. 33.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 18 minutes, with 19.3% working from home. About 53.0% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 225.2, which is 125.2% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 375.1. A single adult needs to earn approximately $99,072 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$1,050,750
Median List Price
$1,297,000
Price Per Sq Ft
$595
Days on Market
31
Active Inventory
44
Months of Supply
3.1
Seller's market
Zillow Home Value
$1,271,645
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$3,530
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
14.3%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
57.9%
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.9%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
14
New Listings
30
Pending Sales
19
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$595
Median List $/SF
$937
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Santa Cruz, CA? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, home prices have risen 695.2% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 47.2%. The 10-year growth rate is 55.0%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 27.3%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 0.8%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA housing market rather than Santa Cruz alone.
Metro area: Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Santa Cruz vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Santa Cruz is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Santa Cruz, CA has a median home value of $1,180,100, making it the 412th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher median home value than 99% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Santa Cruz, CA has a median rent of $2,302, making it the 916th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher median rent than 96% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Santa Cruz, CA has a price per square foot of $595, making it the 764th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher price per square foot than 96% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Santa Cruz, CA has a rent burden of 24.8%, making it the 3,597th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Santa Cruz has a higher rent burden than 84% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$1,180,100
Median Rent
$2,302
Total Housing Units
23,778
Vacancy Rate
8.9%
Owner Occupied
47.7%
Renter Occupied
52.3%
Median Property Tax
$6,609
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$2,718
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$6,609
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.56%
of home value
Median Home Value
$1,180,100
Estimated Mean Tax
$7,564
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($6,609) by the median home value ($1,180,100). In Santa Cruz, CA, this works out to an effective rate of 0.56%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Santa Cruz, CA is $1,050,750 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 31 days on the market. 14.3% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 3.1 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $595. Zillow's observed rent index is $3,530/month. About 47.7% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1970. There are 23,778 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $6,609. The effective tax rate is 0.56%, below the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
6.13
per 1,000 residents
+136% vs national
Property Crime Rate
25.15
per 1,000 residents
+46% vs national
Total Crimes
1,919
2024
Violent Clearance
62%
cases solved
Property Clearance
11%
cases solved
YoY Change
-8.1%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2023
How Santa Cruz Compares
Source: FBI (2024)Santa Cruz vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Santa Cruz is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)Santa Cruz police solve 100% of murder cases but only 11% of larceny/theft cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 3 | 0.05 | 100.0% |
| Rape | Violent | 26 | 0.42 | 23.1% |
| Robbery | Violent | 63 | 1.03 | 63.5% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 284 | 4.63 | 64.8% |
| Burglary | Property | 83 | 1.35 | 14.5% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 1,363 | 22.22 | 11.1% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 97 | 1.58 | 14.4% |
Santa Cruz, CA reported 376 violent crimes and 1,543 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 6.13 per 1,000 residents is 135.7% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 62% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 1,363 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 3.2% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 376 | 1,543 | 6.13 | 25.15 |
| 2023 | 412 | 1,504 | 6.67 | 24.35 |
| 2022 | 447 | 2,226 | 7.25 | 36.11 |
| 2020 | 309 | 2,237 | 4.75 | 34.38 |
| 2019 | 389 | 2,932 | 5.96 | 44.93 |
| 2018 | 391 | 2,905 | 5.95 | 44.23 |
| 2017 | 409 | 3,684 | 6.28 | 56.56 |
| 2016 | 521 | 3,610 | 8.02 | 55.56 |
| 2015 | 499 | 3,561 | 7.79 | 55.57 |
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
97.8
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
98.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
28.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
71.1
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
34
Public Assistance
$208.9M
Individual Assistance
$16.0M
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
9 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
Showing 20 of 36 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
1,633
Total Claims Paid
$24,767,862
Avg Claim Payout
$15,167
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
28
Federal Funding
$16,713,007
Properties Protected
1,533
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.67
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 3 | $2,170,665 |
| 205.5: Structural Retrofitting/Rehabilitating Private Structures - Seismic | 3 | $5,915,971 |
| 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 3 | $3,679,782 |
| 205.6: Structural Retrofitting/Rehabilitating Public Structures - Seismic | 3 | $77,369 |
| 402.1: Infrastructure Protective Measures (Roads and Bridges) | 2 | $1,835,760 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Santa Cruz has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, landslide, earthquake. The area has had 34 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (9 declarations). 1,633 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $208,946,701 in public assistance recovery funding. $15,967,532 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 28 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
24.5%
11.6pp below the national average
Depression Rate
24.2%
0.7pp above the national average
Diabetes Rate
8.0%
3.9pp below the national average
Uninsured Rate
7.3%
3.3pp below the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
30.7%
Arthritis
18.0%
Cancer (excl. skin)
6.5%
Teeth Lost (65+)
7.7%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
18.3%
14+ days in past month
Depression
24.2%
Loneliness
37.0%
Lack of Support
23.7%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
27.6%
Mobility
10.3%
Cognitive
15.0%
Hearing
5.1%
Vision
4.4%
Self-Care
2.9%
Independent Living
7.7%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Santa Cruz has an obesity rate of 24.5%, which is 11.6pp below the national average. The depression rate is 24.2%, 0.7pp above the national average. About 7.3% of adults lack health insurance. 69.1% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
3
Avg CMS Rating
3.0 / 5
Nearest Hospital
2.5 mi
Santa Cruz County Psychiatric ...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz County Psychiatric Health Facility | 2.5 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
| Dominican Hospital | 4.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 5/5 | Yes |
| Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz | 4.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | — |
| Watsonville Community Hospital | 15.5 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 1/5 | Yes |
| Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital | 16.0 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
10
Pop. Served
96,691
Violations (5yr)
20
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT | 94,626 | 0 |
| RIVERVIEW MOBILE HOME ESTATES | 540 | 15 |
| DAVENPORT COUNTY SANITATION | 350 | 0 |
| ROUNTREE FACILITY(PREV. SHERIFF'S REHAB) | 235 | 1 |
| POND-DEROSA OAKS WC | 216 | 1 |
| WESTERN MOBILE HOME PARK | 178 | 1 |
| PLAZA MOBILE HOME PARK | 169 | 1 |
| WOODS, THE (MENDOCINO) | 157 | 0 |
| JARVIS MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM | 125 | 1 |
| SUMMERHILL MHP WS | 95 | 0 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
1
Total CO₂e
28.8K MT
Top Emitter
University of California Santa Cruz
28.8K MT CO₂e
Total CO₂e vs Similar Cities (50,000 - 100,000)
| Facility | Sector | CO₂e (MT) |
|---|---|---|
University of California Santa Cruz State Of California | Other | 28,757 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons CO₂e/year.
There are 10 water systems serving the area. 20 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 1 industrial facility reports greenhouse gas emissions totaling 28.8K metric tons of CO₂e.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Mean Commute
18 min
-22% vs national
Drive Alone
53.0%
-33% vs national
Public Transit
4.8%
+431% vs national
Work From Home
19.3%
+107% vs national
Carpool
6.2%
Walk / Bike
15.1%
combined
How Santa Cruz's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
2
2023
6-Year Avg
3
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
1
Nighttime
1
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
The average commute in Santa Cruz, CA is 18 minutes, which is 21.8% below the national average of 23 minutes. 53.0% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 19.3% work from home, which is above the CA state average of 14.0%. Public transit is used by 4.8% of commuters, compared to the national average of 0.9%. 6.2% of workers carpool. 9.8% walk to work. 5.2% commute by bicycle. In 2023, there were 2 traffic fatalities from 2 fatal crashes. 1 was a pedestrian.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
94.7%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
83.0%
of households
No Internet
2.4%
of households
Total Households
21,669
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
97.4%
of households
Smartphone
92.9%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
91.8%
of households
Tablet
69.1%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
32.0¢
per kWh
+74% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Commercial Rate
25.5¢
per kWh
+73% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Industrial Rate
21.5¢
per kWh
+94% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$161
residential
+11% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
87% above the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in California averages 32.0¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $161. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Santa Cruz vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (50,000 - 100,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
10
Population Served
96,691
Violations (5yr)
20
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT | Community | Surface water | 94,626 | 0 |
| RIVERVIEW MOBILE HOME ESTATES | Community | Ground water | 540 | 15 |
| DAVENPORT COUNTY SANITATION | Community | Surface water | 350 | 0 |
| ROUNTREE FACILITY(PREV. SHERIFF'S REHAB) | Community | Ground water | 235 | 1 |
| POND-DEROSA OAKS WC | Community | Ground water | 216 | 1 |
| WESTERN MOBILE HOME PARK | Community | Ground water | 178 | 1 |
| PLAZA MOBILE HOME PARK | Community | Ground water | 169 | 1 |
| WOODS, THE (MENDOCINO) | Community | Ground water | 157 | 0 |
| JARVIS MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 125 | 1 |
| SUMMERHILL MHP WS | Community | Ground water | 95 | 0 |
94.7% of households in Santa Cruz have broadband internet access. 83.0% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 9.4% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 2.4% of households have no internet access. The area is served by 10 water systems, providing water to 96,691 people. A total of 20 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz County, CA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Santa Cruz.
Election Overview
Source: Santa Cruz County (2024)2024 Winner
Democrat
Dem Votes
100,998
75.3%
GOP Votes
27,978
20.9%
Total Votes
134,135
Margin
D+54.4%
Shift from 2020
R+5.9pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 100,998 | 27,978 | 134,135 | 75.3% | 20.9% | D+54.4 |
| 2020 | 114,246 | 26,937 | 144,796 | 78.9% | 18.6% | D+60.3 |
| 2016 | 85,185 | 20,158 | 113,509 | 75.0% | 17.8% | D+57.3 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Santa Cruz County recorded 134,135 total votes. Democrats won the county with 75.3% of the vote compared to 20.9% for Republicans, a margin of D+54.4%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+5.9pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Santa Cruz County has shifted 2.8 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
597
Total Assets
$2.1B
Total Income
$871.3M
Per 10K Residents
97.9
nonprofits
+90.2% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
101
Median Assets
$286K
Oldest Active
1939
ruling year
Newest Org
2026
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $1.6B of $2.1B total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000
Largest Nonprofits in Santa Cruz
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFSanta Cruz, CA has 597 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $2.1B. The most common category is Arts, Culture & Humanities, with 66 organizations. 101 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 97.9 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1939.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
1,069
Total Approved
$412.4M
Jobs Supported
8,922
Per 10K Residents
175.4
SBA loans
+84.6% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
83
Top Lender
Wells Fargo Bank National Association
314 loans
Top Industry
Accommodation & Food Services
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
983
Total Amount
$332.3M
Avg Loan
$338,080
Median Loan
$150,000
SBA Guaranteed
$242.8M(73%)
Jobs Supported
7,933
Loans
86
Total Amount
$80.0M
Avg Loan
$930,791
Median Loan
$619,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
84
8% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$55.0M
13% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$654,851
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Continental Inn Inc. | 2 | $6.9M |
| California Coastal Resorts, Llc | 1 | $5.5M |
| Tb J&m Corporation | 2 | $5.3M |
| Rahul Investments Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| 510 Leibrandt Ave Llc | 2 | $4.8M |
| Paradise Assisted Care Corp. | 1 | $4.7M |
| La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz | 1 | $4.3M |
| Ashishkumar Patel | 3 | $4.3M |
| Provac Sales Inc. | 1 | $4.0M |
| Motel Santa Cruz | 1 | $3.8M |
Santa Cruz, CA has received 1,069 SBA loans totaling $412.4M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 983 loans (92% of the total), supporting 7,933 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 86 loans totaling $80.0M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in Santa Cruz is Wells Fargo Bank National Association with 314 loans. That works out to 175.4 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
11
Total Population
174,619
Avg Median Income
$123,949
Avg Home Value
$976,536
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95003 | 24,708 | $140,990 | $1,154,000 | $2,548 | 32.4 |
| 95005 | 7,150 | $107,857 | $959,100 | $2,358 | 11.8 |
| 95010 | 8,697 | $96,701 | $781,900 | $2,370 | 1.4 |
| 95018 | 6,377 | $119,130 | $778,100 | $2,259 | 17.4 |
| 95041 | 846 | $161,034 | $1,060,200 | $1,360 | 0.2 |
| 95060 | 46,024 | $106,040 | $1,189,300 | $2,356 | 54.5 |
| 95062 | 36,047 | $108,261 | $1,064,600 | $2,291 | 5.0 |
| 95064 | 9,883 | $119,787 | $437,500 | $1,572 | 1.7 |
| 95065 | 8,031 | $142,768 | $1,192,200 | $2,618 | 10.9 |
| 95066 | 15,369 | $146,941 | $1,113,000 | $2,384 | 18.7 |
| 95073 | 11,487 | $113,929 | $1,012,000 | $2,093 | 22.9 |
Santa Cruz, CA has 11 ZIP codes with a combined population of 174,619. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $123,949. The average median home value is $976,536. The average median monthly rent is $2,201.
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