Day Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Day Valley, California had a total population of 3,579, the 738th largest community in California, with a median household income of $155,000, which is 56% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.1% — among the lowest in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.3x the median household income.
Day Valley Quick Facts
How Day Valley 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 | 3,514 | 3,579 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $150,256 | $155,000 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $1,187,200 | $1,279,300 | +7.8% |
How Day Valley 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+)
Day Valley 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 Day Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Monte Forest | 3,613 | $142,763 | $2,000,000+ | 71.5% | 6.1% |
| Granite Hills | 3,795 | $155,820 | $974,500 | 41.2% | 12.3% |
| San Antonio Heights | 3,458 | $138,750 | $1,071,800 | 44.2% | 7.9% |
| Aromas | 3,245 | $148,438 | $863,500 | 42.4% | 3.1% |
| Shingle Springs | 3,801 | $135,530 | $744,900 | 42.7% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Day Valley is a small community located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 3,579. It ranks as the 738th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Day Valley is 55.3 years. This is 46% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 11.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Day Valley is $155,000. This is 56% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 92% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.1%. This is 66% 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 5.7%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,279,300. Housing costs are 74% 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. 83.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Day Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (74.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
50.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 93.6%. Notably, 19.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Day Valley, 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 Day Valley, California?
Day Valley, California has a population of 3,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Day Valley, CA?
The median household income in Day Valley is $155,000, which is 92% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Day Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Day Valley is 4.1%. This means approximately 146 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Day Valley, California?
Day Valley's population is 74.3% White, 0.1% Black, 20.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Day Valley, CA?
The median home value in Day Valley is $1,279,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.3x.
How educated is Day Valley, California?
50.1% of adults (25+) in Day Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.