Bonny Doon, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bonny Doon, California had a total population of 3,149, the 782nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $144,813, which is 46% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.3x the median household income.
Bonny Doon Quick Facts
How Bonny Doon 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 | 2,946 | 3,149 | +6.9% |
| Median household income | $163,125 | $144,813 | -11.2% |
| Median home value | $1,135,600 | $1,201,900 | +5.8% |
How Bonny Doon 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bonny Doon 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 |
| Ben Lomond | 6,858 | $130,041 | 4.9% | $960,700 |
| Aptos | 6,404 | $134,048 | 5.9% | $1,093,300 |
Cities Similar to Bonny Doon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aromas | 3,245 | $148,438 | $863,500 | 42.4% | 3.1% |
| East Richmond Heights | 3,109 | $134,632 | $915,400 | 61.2% | 5.3% |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | 3,162 | $129,250 | $2,000,000+ | 72.9% | 6.2% |
| Val Verde | 3,291 | $135,917 | $564,400 | 18.5% | 5.7% |
| Dogtown | 3,094 | $127,750 | $670,600 | 21.3% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Bonny Doon is a small community located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 3,149. It ranks as the 782nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bonny Doon is 44.2 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bonny Doon is $144,813. This is 46% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 79% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,201,900. Housing costs are 64% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 77.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bonny Doon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (75.4% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (11.6%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
48.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 96.8%. Notably, 27.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bonny Doon, 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 Bonny Doon, California?
Bonny Doon, California has a population of 3,149 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bonny Doon, CA?
The median household income in Bonny Doon is $144,813, which is 79% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bonny Doon, CA?
The poverty rate in Bonny Doon is 16.2%. This means approximately 510 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bonny Doon, California?
Bonny Doon's population is 75.4% White, 0.0% Black, 11.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bonny Doon, CA?
The median home value in Bonny Doon is $1,201,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.3x.
How educated is Bonny Doon, California?
48.1% of adults (25+) in Bonny Doon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.