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%.
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.
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 |
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.
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 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.
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
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 | - |
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% |
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% |
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% |
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.
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% |