Santa Cruz, CA
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-16

Living In Santa Cruz, California Summary

Life in Santa Cruz research summary. HomeSnacks has been researching the quality of life in Santa Cruz over the past eight years using Census data, FBI crime data, cost of living data, and other primary sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Santa Cruz:

  • The population in Santa Cruz is 62,714.

  • The median home value in Santa Cruz is $933,000.

  • The median income in Santa Cruz is $96,217.

  • The cost of living in Santa Cruz is 186 which is 1.9x higher than the national average.

  • The median rent in Santa Cruz is $2,072.

  • The unemployment rate in Santa Cruz is 7.0%.

  • The poverty rate in Santa Cruz is 18.7%.

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Santa Cruz SnackAbility

8
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
10
Affordability
3
Diversity
9
Safety
4
Amenities
9.5
Education
9
Commute
8
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Santa Cruz, CA Crime Report

Crime in Santa Cruz summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Santa Cruz. Key points include:

  • There were 2,673 total crimes in Santa Cruz in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Santa Cruz is 4,335.8 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Santa Cruz is 725.1 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Santa Cruz is 3,610.7 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Santa Cruz is 86.55% above the national average.

2,673
Total Crimes
86.55%
Above National Average

Crime In Santa Cruz Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Santa Cruz
/ 100k People
California
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 2,673 4,335.8 2,581.0 2,324.2
Violent Crime 447 725.1 442.0 369.8
Murder 1 1.6 5.6 6.3
Robbery 122 197.9 113.6 66.1
Aggravated Assault 286 463.9 288.7 268.2
Property Crime 2,226 3,610.7 2,138.9 1,954.4
Burglary 253 410.4 369.7 269.8
Larceny 1,782 2,890.5 1,341.7 1,401.9
Car Theft 191 309.8 427.6 282.7

Santa Cruz, CA Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Santa Cruz summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Santa Cruz. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around California. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Santa Cruz is 186 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Santa Cruz is 1.9x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Santa Cruz is $933,000.

  • The median income in Santa Cruz is $96,217.

186
Santa Cruz's Overall Cost Of Living
1.9x
Higher Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Santa Cruz Comparison Table

Living Expense Santa Cruz California National Average
Overall 186 139 100
Services 119 110 100
Groceries 134 112 100
Health 124 109 100
Housing 319 204 100
Transportation 145 126 100
Utilities 137 124 100

Santa Cruz, CA Photos

Downtown Santa Cruzc Cropped
Source: Wikipedia User Aaronbrick | GFDL
California Santa Cruz Street With Cars And Shops
Source: Public Domain
Santa Cruz Portland Cement  On Chestnut St
Source: Wikipedia User Drew Jacksich from San Jo | CC BY 2.0
Finch In Whalebone
Source: Wikipedia User Kai Schreiber from Jersey | CC BY-SA 2.0
Intersection Of Pacific And Cathcartc Downtown Santa Cruz
Source: Public Domain
Santa Cruz Redwoodsbjpg
Source: Wikipedia User Chevy111 | CC BY-SA 4.0
Natural Bridges State Beach Santa Cruz California
Source: Wikipedia User Dvortygirl | CC BY-SA 3.0
Santacruz Beachboardwalk Carousel Palmsdscn
Source: Wikipedia User Larry Pieniazek, User:Lar | GFDL
Sunset In Santa Cruzc California
Source: Wikipedia User Reenie56 at English Wikip | GFDL

2 Reviews & Comments About Santa Cruz

Overall User Rating
3.0
/5
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HomeSnacks User - 2018-07-13 23:08:01.558614

Santa Cruz is one of my favorite places on the planet. It has a laid-back, surfer, hippie feel to it. While I would recommend holding on to one's purse in the downtown area, the overall feel of Santa Cruz is one of chic cafes, interesting shops, artsy souvenirs, street musicians, bookstores, etc.

One of my favorite places includes Miramar's on the wharf. I love the restaurant's glass wall that allows me to watch surfers, sea lions and sailboats while I indulge in clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

I especially love being in Santa Cruz for the Woodies on the Wharf parade. The classic cars are a beautiful sight against the sun, the sand and the surf.


HomeSnacks User - 2019-03-18 01:57:33.678236

Lived here my whole life and it was as fine until the 2000's after which the homeless population sprouted yet was supported with needle exchange and medical marijuana.

Can't beat twin lakes beach st the harbor- 3 great restaurants on the water, breakfast at the Palo mar or cross nest is great.

Crackheads everywhere and people smoking weed next to cops on the street

Review Where You Live

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Map Of Santa Cruz, CA

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Santa Cruz Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Santa Cruz

The current population in Santa Cruz is 62,714. The population has increased 7.6% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2021 62,714 -2.4%
2020 64,273 0.4%
2019 63,993 1.1%
2018 63,310 0.9%
2017 62,752 1.1%
2016 62,045 1.3%
2015 61,245 1.5%
2014 60,319 2.2%
2013 59,022 1.3%
2012 58,269 -

Race / Ethnicity in Santa Cruz

White
60.8% (38,115)
African American
1.8% (1,120)
American Indian
0.1% (54)
Asian
10.6% (6,632)
Hawaiian
0.1% (35)
Other
0.5% (330)
Two Or More
5.1% (3,211)
Hispanic
21.1% (13,217)

Santa Cruz is:

  • 60.8% White with 38,115 White residents.

  • 1.8% African American with 1,120 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 54 American Indian residents.

  • 10.6% Asian with 6,632 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 35 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.5% Other with 330 Other residents.

  • 5.1% Two Or More with 3,211 Two Or More residents.

  • 21.1% Hispanic with 13,217 Hispanic residents.

Race Santa Cruz CA USA
White 60.8% 35.8% 59.4%
African American 1.8% 5.4% 12.2%
American Indian 0.1% 0.3% 0.6%
Asian 10.6% 14.7% 5.6%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.3% 0.2%
Other 0.5% 0.4% 0.4%
Two Or More 5.1% 3.6% 3.2%
Hispanic 21.1% 39.5% 18.4%

Gender in Santa Cruz

Female
50.9% (31,943)
Male
49.1% (30,770)
  • Santa Cruz is 50.9% female with 31,943 female residents.

  • Santa Cruz is 49.1% male with 30,770 male residents.

Gender Santa Cruz CA USA
Female 50.9% 50.0% 50.5%
Male 49.1% 50.0% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Santa Cruz for adults over 25

< 9th Grade
3.0% (1,881)
9-12th Grade
2.0% (1,254)
High School / GED
11.0% (6,898)
Some College
20.0% (12,542)
Associate's Degree
8.0% (5,017)
Bachelor's Degree
28.0% (17,559)
Master's Degree
18.0% (11,288)
Professional Degree
5.0% (3,135)
Doctorate Degree
5.0% (3,135)
  • 3.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed < 9th grade.

  • 2.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed 9-12th grade.

  • 11.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed high school / ged.

  • 20.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed some college.

  • 8.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed associate's degree.

  • 28.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed bachelor's degree.

  • 18.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed master's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed professional degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Santa Cruz completed doctorate degree.

Education Santa Cruz CA USA
< 9th Grade 3.0% 8.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 2.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 11.0% 20.0% 26.0%
Some College 20.0% 21.0% 20.0%
Associate's Degree 8.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 28.0% 22.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 18.0% 9.0% 9.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Santa Cruz, California

  • 6.6% of households in Santa Cruz earn Less than $10,000.

  • 4.1% of households in Santa Cruz earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 6.6% of households in Santa Cruz earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 7.7% of households in Santa Cruz earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 7.6% of households in Santa Cruz earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 9.9% of households in Santa Cruz earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 9.2% of households in Santa Cruz earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 16.1% of households in Santa Cruz earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 11.5% of households in Santa Cruz earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 20.7% of households in Santa Cruz earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
6.6% (413,792)
$10,000 to $14,999
4.1% (256,346)
$15,000 to $24,999
6.6% (413,508)
$25,000 to $34,999
7.7% (485,978)
$35,000 to $49,999
7.6% (478,305)
$50,000 to $74,999
9.9% (618,983)
$75,000 to $99,999
9.2% (574,080)
$100,000 to $149,999
16.1% (1,010,040)
$150,000 to $199,999
11.5% (722,431)
$200,000 or more
20.7% (1,297,932)
Income Santa Cruz CA USA
Less than $10,000 6.6% 4.6% 5.5%
$10,000 to $14,999 4.1% 3.6% 3.9%
$15,000 to $24,999 6.6% 6.2% 7.8%
$25,000 to $34,999 7.7% 6.7% 8.2%
$35,000 to $49,999 7.6% 9.4% 11.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 9.9% 14.7% 16.8%
$75,000 to $99,999 9.2% 12.3% 12.8%
$100,000 to $149,999 16.1% 17.5% 16.3%
$150,000 to $199,999 11.5% 9.9% 7.8%
$200,000 or more 20.7% 15.1% 9.5%

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