Brookdale, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookdale, California had a total population of 1,378, the 982nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $87,358, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
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.
Brookdale Quick Facts
How Brookdale 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 | 1,308 | 1,378 | +5.4% |
| Median household income | $88,603 | $87,358 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $810,500 | $881,700 | +8.8% |
How Brookdale 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+)
Brookdale 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 Brookdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly Flats | 1,410 | $92,004 | $384,400 | 29.5% | 1.6% |
| Quincy | 1,317 | $89,000 | $300,500 | 20.2% | 9.2% |
| Lake Don Pedro | 1,308 | $85,104 | $404,600 | 23.6% | 0.0% |
| Inverness | 1,346 | $80,176 | $1,872,700 | 64.1% | 4.8% |
| Summerland | 1,348 | $95,694 | $2,000,000+ | 61.9% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Brookdale is a small community located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 1,378. It ranks as the 982nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookdale is 38.6 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 11.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookdale is $87,358. This is 12% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $881,700. Housing costs are 20% 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. 45.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brookdale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (68.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
47.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 15.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookdale, 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 Brookdale, California?
Brookdale, California has a population of 1,378 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookdale, CA?
The median household income in Brookdale is $87,358, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookdale, CA?
The poverty rate in Brookdale is 14.0%. This means approximately 193 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookdale, California?
Brookdale's population is 68.3% White, 0.7% Black, 23.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookdale, CA?
The median home value in Brookdale is $881,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.1x.
How educated is Brookdale, California?
47.8% of adults (25+) in Brookdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.