Watsonville, CA — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Santa Cruz County · California
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Watsonville based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
51,968
2023 ACS
Median Income
$74,785
2023
Median Home Value
$657,700
2023
Median Rent
$1,784
2023
Median Age
32.7
Unemployment
7.8%
Cost of Living Index
159.7
100 = national avg
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, with a population of 51,968 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Watsonville is one of the communities in California.
The median household income in Watsonville is $74,785, and the median home value is $657,700. The cost of living index is 159.7 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,784 per month. The unemployment rate is 7.8%, and the median age is 32.7 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
51,968
Male
25,878
49.8%
Female
26,090
50.2%
Median Age
32.7
Age Distribution
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
7.6%
High School or Higher
22.4%
Foreign Born
35.1%
Veterans
1.7%
Married
35.5%
Avg Household Size
3.4
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.000
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
Other
43.5%
Foreign Born
35.1%
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
83.5%
43,372 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
16.5%
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+)
48,278
English Only
25.2%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
34,290 speakers
Limited English
32.3%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
67.7%
Limited English Proficiency
32.3%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
904
1.7% of population
Disability Rate
19.5%
176 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$41,989
Unemployment Rate
11.8%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
860
95.1%
Female Veterans
44
4.9%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$41,989
Non-Veteran Income
$30,996
Difference
$10,993
35.5% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
176
Without Disability
728
Disability Rate
19.5%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
7,588
#1 Ancestry
English
2.6% (1,367)
#2 Ancestry
German
2.6% (1,359)
#3 Ancestry
Irish
2.3% (1,215)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
15,267
Family Households
11,623
76.1%
Married Couples
7,418
48.6%
Non-Family Households
3,644
23.9%
Single Mother Households
3,176
20.8%
Single Father Households
1,029
6.7%
Living Alone
2,813
18.4%
Children Under 18
Total Children
11,621
In Married Couple
7,257
62.4%
With Single Mother
3,308
28.5%
With Single Father
1,056
9.1%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$81,170
Married Couple Income
$94,494
Single Mother Income
$54,293
Single Father Income
$60,815
Avg Family Size
3.4
Avg Non-Family Size
3.6
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
1,696
Grandparents Responsible
413
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$74,785
+2% vs national
Per Capita Income
$27,296
-27% vs national
Poverty Rate
15.2%
+11% vs national
Gini Index
0.4448
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
7.8%
+51% vs national
SNAP Recipients
21.8%
of households
How Watsonville Compares
Watsonville vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Watsonville is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Watsonville, CA has a median household income of $74,785, making it the 10,457th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher median household income than 63% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Watsonville, CA has a per capita income of $27,296, making it the 20,164th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher per capita income than 28% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Watsonville, CA has a poverty rate of 15.2%, making it the 10,983rd highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher poverty rate than 65% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Watsonville, CA has a unemployment rate of 7.8%, making it the 6,114th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher unemployment rate than 80% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Watsonville. The median household income here is $74,785.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
7.8%
+3% vs CA avg
Labor Force
24,126
Employed
22,231
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
7.6%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
22.4%
of adults 25+
Median Age
32.7
Work from Home
6.0%
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
159.7
100 = national avg
+59.7 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$70,287
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$166,133
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 Watsonville, CA is $74,785, which is 2.1% above the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $27,296. The poverty rate of 15.2% is higher than the CA state average of 13.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4448, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 7.8%, compared to the state average of 7.6%. The labor force is 24,126. 7.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 70.1% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 159.7, which is 59.7% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 244.2. A single adult needs to earn approximately $70,287 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$740,000
Median List Price
$789,500
Price Per Sq Ft
$512
Days on Market
68
Active Inventory
25
Months of Supply
2.8
Seller's market
Zillow Home Value
$798,095
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$3,218
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
44.4%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
27.3%
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.4%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
9
New Listings
13
Pending Sales
11
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$512
Median List $/SF
$483
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Watsonville, 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 Watsonville alone.
Metro area: Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Watsonville vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Watsonville is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Watsonville, CA has a median home value of $657,700, making it the 1,703rd highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher median home value than 94% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Watsonville, CA has a median rent of $1,784, making it the 2,502nd highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher median rent than 89% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Watsonville, CA has a price per square foot of $512, making it the 1,100th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher price per square foot than 95% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Watsonville, CA has a rent burden of 28.6%, making it the 1,642nd highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Watsonville has a higher rent burden than 93% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$657,700
Median Rent
$1,784
Total Housing Units
15,792
Vacancy Rate
3.3%
Owner Occupied
43.6%
Renter Occupied
56.4%
Median Property Tax
$4,376
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$1,897
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$4,376
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.67%
of home value
Median Home Value
$657,700
Estimated Mean Tax
$4,491
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($4,376) by the median home value ($657,700). In Watsonville, CA, this works out to an effective rate of 0.67%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Watsonville, CA is $740,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 68 days on the market. 44.4% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 2.8 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $512. Zillow's observed rent index is $3,218/month. About 43.6% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1976. There are 15,792 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $4,376. The effective tax rate is 0.67%, below the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
3.99
per 1,000 residents
+54% vs national
Property Crime Rate
11.82
per 1,000 residents
-31% vs national
Total Crimes
796
2024
Violent Clearance
39%
cases solved
Property Clearance
17%
cases solved
YoY Change
-31.9%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2022
How Watsonville Compares
Source: FBI (2024)Watsonville vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Watsonville 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)Watsonville police solve 47% of aggravated assault cases but only 4% of rape 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 | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Rape | Violent | 28 | 0.56 | 3.6% |
| Robbery | Violent | 27 | 0.54 | 37.0% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 146 | 2.90 | 46.6% |
| Burglary | Property | 70 | 1.39 | 21.4% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 375 | 7.45 | 21.3% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 150 | 2.98 | 5.3% |
Watsonville, CA reported 201 violent crimes and 595 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 3.99 per 1,000 residents is 53.6% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 39% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 375 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 16.4% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 201 | 595 | 3.99 | 11.82 |
| 2022 | 302 | 959 | 5.86 | 18.62 |
| 2020 | 299 | 1,132 | 5.52 | 20.90 |
| 2019 | 328 | 971 | 6.04 | 17.89 |
| 2018 | 243 | 1,330 | 4.46 | 24.40 |
| 2017 | 298 | 1,711 | 5.50 | 31.55 |
| 2016 | 238 | 1,738 | 4.40 | 32.12 |
| 2015 | 303 | 1,930 | 5.65 | 36.02 |
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
$10.5M
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.
Watsonville 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. $10,543,122 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
32.0%
4.1pp below the national average
Depression Rate
21.5%
2.0pp below the national average
Diabetes Rate
13.7%
1.8pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
22.7%
12.1pp above 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
34.1%
Arthritis
19.0%
Cancer (excl. skin)
4.9%
Teeth Lost (65+)
14.6%
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
18.9%
14+ days in past month
Depression
21.5%
Loneliness
39.6%
Lack of Support
30.1%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
37.6%
Mobility
17.9%
Cognitive
19.8%
Hearing
6.5%
Vision
9.3%
Self-Care
5.8%
Independent Living
11.0%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Watsonville has an obesity rate of 32.0%, which is 4.1pp below the national average. The depression rate is 21.5%, 2.0pp below the national average. About 22.7% of adults lack health insurance. 66.8% 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
1.8 mi
Watsonville Community Hospital
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watsonville Community Hospital | 1.8 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 1/5 | Yes |
| Santa Cruz County Psychiatric Health Facility | 12.5 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
| Dominican Hospital | 13.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 5/5 | Yes |
| Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz | 13.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | — |
| Natividad Medical Center | 15.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
15
Pop. Served
68,078
Violations (5yr)
8
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| WATSONVILLE, CITY OF | 65,231 | 0 |
| MONTE VISTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 1,051 | 0 |
| CEDAR LODGE RESORT | 656 | 0 |
| RANCHO SAN ANDREAS | 200 | 1 |
| SUNSET BEACH MUTUAL WATER CO | 182 | 0 |
| MOUNT MADONNA CENTER | 170 | 0 |
| JARDINES DEL VALLE | 130 | 2 |
| CRESTWOOD HEIGHTS WATER ASSN | 126 | 0 |
| MURPHY HILL WS #01 | 65 | 1 |
| ELKHORN RD WS #04 | 60 | 0 |
| APTOS RIDGE MUTUAL WATER CO | 52 | 0 |
| BAUMANN RD WS #01 | 48 | 0 |
| LAKEVIEW APARTMENTS | 43 | 1 |
| APTOS HILLS MUTUAL WATER CO | 32 | 3 |
| TUT BROTHERS FARM #96 | 32 | 0 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
2
Total CO₂e
22.4K MT
Top Emitter
BUENA VISTA DRIVE SANITARY LANDFILL
19.5K MT CO₂e
Total CO₂e vs Similar Cities (50,000 - 100,000)
| Facility | Sector | CO₂e (MT) |
|---|---|---|
BUENA VISTA DRIVE SANITARY LANDFILL County Of Santa Cruz Department Of Public Works | Waste | 19,457 |
CITY OF WATSONVILLE LANDFILL City Of Watsonville Department Of Public Works & Utilities | Waste | 2,942 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons CO₂e/year.
There are 15 water systems serving the area. 8 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 2 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 22.4K metric tons of CO₂e.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
70.1%
-11% vs national
Public Transit
1.4%
+57% vs national
Work From Home
6.0%
-35% vs national
Carpool
16.7%
Walk / Bike
1.4%
combined
How Watsonville's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
3
2023
6-Year Avg
3
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
2
Nighttime
2
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Watsonville, CA covers travel times and transportation modes. 70.1% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 6.0% work from home, which is below the CA state average of 14.0%. Public transit is used by 1.4% of commuters, compared to the national average of 0.9%. 16.7% of workers carpool. 1.4% walk to work. In 2023, there were 3 traffic fatalities from 3 fatal crashes. 2 were pedestrians.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
89.0%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
65.1%
of households
No Internet
7.9%
of households
Total Households
15,267
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
92.3%
of households
Smartphone
87.5%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
65.8%
of households
Tablet
53.6%
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).
Watsonville 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
15
Population Served
68,078
Violations (5yr)
8
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WATSONVILLE, CITY OF | Community | Surface water | 65,231 | 0 |
| MONTE VISTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | Community | Ground water | 1,051 | 0 |
| CEDAR LODGE RESORT | Community | Ground water | 656 | 0 |
| RANCHO SAN ANDREAS | Community | Ground water | 200 | 1 |
| SUNSET BEACH MUTUAL WATER CO | Community | Purchased surface water | 182 | 0 |
| MOUNT MADONNA CENTER | Community | Ground water | 170 | 0 |
| JARDINES DEL VALLE | Community | Ground water | 130 | 2 |
| CRESTWOOD HEIGHTS WATER ASSN | Community | Ground water | 126 | 0 |
| MURPHY HILL WS #01 | Community | Purchased ground water | 65 | 1 |
| ELKHORN RD WS #04 | Community | Ground water | 60 | 0 |
| APTOS RIDGE MUTUAL WATER CO | Community | Ground water | 52 | 0 |
| BAUMANN RD WS #01 | Community | Ground water | 48 | 0 |
| LAKEVIEW APARTMENTS | Community | Ground water | 43 | 1 |
| APTOS HILLS MUTUAL WATER CO | Community | Ground water | 32 | 3 |
| TUT BROTHERS FARM #96 | Community | Ground water | 32 | 0 |
89.0% of households in Watsonville have broadband internet access. 65.1% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 18.1% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 7.9% of households have no internet access. 18.1% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 15 water systems, providing water to 68,078 people. A total of 8 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Watsonville is located in Santa Cruz County, CA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Watsonville.
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
199
Total Assets
$354.8M
Total Income
$303.1M
Per 10K Residents
38.3
nonprofits
-45.0% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
41
Median Assets
$558K
Oldest Active
1941
ruling year
Newest Org
2025
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $220.6M of $354.8M 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 Watsonville
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFWatsonville, CA has 199 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $354.8M. The most common category is Arts, Culture & Humanities, with 18 organizations. 41 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 38.3 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1941.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
464
Total Approved
$188.9M
Jobs Supported
4,075
Per 10K Residents
89.3
SBA loans
+7.8% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
65
Top Lender
Wells Fargo Bank National Association
96 loans
Top Industry
Retail Trade
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
411
Total Amount
$145.1M
Avg Loan
$352,949
Median Loan
$150,000
SBA Guaranteed
$109.5M(75%)
Jobs Supported
3,349
Loans
53
Total Amount
$43.9M
Avg Loan
$827,623
Median Loan
$598,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
47
10% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$43.5M
23% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$924,940
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 |
|---|---|---|
| J & H Retail Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Henri Jeanrenaud | 1 | $5.0M |
| Optronic Technologies Inc. | 1 | $5.0M |
| B5 Investments, Llc | 1 | $3.7M |
| Grenville Food and Gas Corp | 1 | $3.3M |
| One Stop Logistics | 1 | $3.0M |
| Scs Cold Storage, Inc. | 1 | $2.8M |
| Amor Organics | 1 | $2.5M |
| Green Valley Cinemas | 3 | $2.5M |
| Femtotest Llc | 2 | $2.3M |
Watsonville, CA has received 464 SBA loans totaling $188.9M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 411 loans (89% of the total), supporting 3,349 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 53 loans totaling $43.9M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Retail Trade. The most active SBA lender in Watsonville is Wells Fargo Bank National Association with 96 loans. That works out to 89.3 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
6
Total Population
129,695
Avg Median Income
$99,981
Avg Home Value
$763,950
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 |
| 95004 | 3,917 | $165,781 | $914,000 | $1,953 | 22.0 |
| 95012 | 11,147 | $79,903 | $629,600 | $1,499 | 12.9 |
| 95019 | 6,235 | $68,314 | $678,200 | $1,468 | 1.1 |
| 95039 | 1,279 | $58,214 | $440,700 | $1,371 | 17.4 |
| 95076 | 82,409 | $86,685 | $767,200 | $1,851 | 135.1 |
Watsonville, CA has 6 ZIP codes with a combined population of 129,695. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $99,981. The average median home value is $763,950. The average median monthly rent is $1,782.
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