Boulder Creek, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Boulder Creek, California had a total population of 4,632, the 680th largest community in California, with a median household income of $84,156, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.1x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 12.1% is notably above the national average.
Boulder Creek Quick Facts
How Boulder Creek 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 | 5,353 | 4,632 | -13.5% |
| Median household income | $106,842 | $84,156 | -21.2% |
| Median home value | $785,200 | $849,900 | +8.2% |
How Boulder Creek 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+)
Boulder Creek 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 Boulder Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Wildwood | 4,792 | $85,771 | $551,800 | 45.7% | 8.2% |
| Lake San Marcos | 4,693 | $89,851 | $917,000 | 35.6% | 6.0% |
| Winchester | 4,555 | $79,250 | $493,500 | 14.8% | 10.3% |
| Bella Vista | 4,511 | $90,566 | $464,300 | 26.8% | 6.0% |
| Sonora | 4,919 | $82,690 | $422,300 | 33.2% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Boulder Creek is a small community located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 4,632. It ranks as the 680th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Boulder Creek is 47.9 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 10.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Boulder Creek is $84,156. This is 15% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.1%. This is 82% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $849,900. Housing costs are 16% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 76.5% 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 Boulder Creek is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.9% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
40.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Boulder Creek, 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 Boulder Creek, California?
Boulder Creek, California has a population of 4,632 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Boulder Creek, CA?
The median household income in Boulder Creek is $84,156, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Boulder Creek, CA?
The poverty rate in Boulder Creek is 7.1%. This means approximately 328 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Boulder Creek, California?
Boulder Creek's population is 80.9% White, 0.8% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Boulder Creek, CA?
The median home value in Boulder Creek is $849,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.1x.
How educated is Boulder Creek, California?
40.2% of adults (25+) in Boulder Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.