Ben Lomond, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ben Lomond, California had a total population of 6,858, the 587th largest community in California, with a median household income of $130,041, which is 31% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 11.6% is notably above the national average.
Ben Lomond Quick Facts
How Ben Lomond Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,849 | 6,858 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $120,977 | $130,041 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $956,100 | $960,700 | +0.5% |
How Ben Lomond Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ben Lomond Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Cruz County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | 61,607 | $115,475 | 17.0% | $1,209,000 |
| Watsonville | 51,712 | $78,393 | 14.7% | $686,000 |
| Live Oak | 16,911 | $103,674 | 12.9% | $1,015,200 |
| Scotts Valley | 12,044 | $143,750 | 5.9% | $1,105,700 |
| Soquel | 10,679 | $118,777 | 9.7% | $957,300 |
| Capitola | 9,689 | $102,976 | 12.9% | $783,000 |
| Rio del Mar | 9,201 | $159,929 | 2.3% | $1,338,100 |
| Interlaken | 8,068 | $109,150 | 14.9% | $831,000 |
| Aptos | 6,404 | $134,048 | 5.9% | $1,093,300 |
| Pleasure Point | 5,489 | $119,821 | 8.9% | $1,183,600 |
Cities Similar to Ben Lomond
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contra Costa Centre | 6,893 | $121,313 | $733,300 | 67.3% | 10.1% |
| Silver Lakes | 6,977 | $115,829 | $383,600 | 24.8% | 4.9% |
| Nuevo | 6,803 | $112,857 | $535,900 | 12.4% | 6.6% |
| Aptos | 6,404 | $134,048 | $1,093,300 | 49.5% | 5.9% |
| Vandenberg Village | 6,776 | $110,904 | $637,100 | 38.6% | 3.3% |
Population Overview
Ben Lomond is a small city located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 6,858. It ranks as the 587th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ben Lomond is 46.6 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ben Lomond is $130,041. This is 31% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 61% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 11.6%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $960,700. Housing costs are 31% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ben Lomond is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.7% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (11.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
47.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.9%. Notably, 15.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ben Lomond, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ben Lomond, California?
Ben Lomond, California has a population of 6,858 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ben Lomond, CA?
The median household income in Ben Lomond is $130,041, which is 61% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ben Lomond, CA?
The poverty rate in Ben Lomond is 4.9%. This means approximately 334 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ben Lomond, California?
Ben Lomond's population is 81.7% White, 0.0% Black, 11.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ben Lomond, CA?
The median home value in Ben Lomond is $960,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Ben Lomond, California?
47.5% of adults (25+) in Ben Lomond hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.