Freedom, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Freedom, California had a total population of 3,172, the 778th largest community in California, with a median household income of $93,750, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
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 8.1x the median household income.
Freedom Quick Facts
How Freedom 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 | 3,211 | 3,172 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $139,722 | $93,750 | -32.9% |
| Median home value | $664,200 | $755,300 | +13.7% |
How Freedom 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+)
Freedom 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 Freedom
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Miguel (San Luis Obispo County) | 3,227 | $95,458 | $539,700 | 16.4% | 27.0% |
| Tarpey Village | 3,106 | $90,313 | $345,900 | 12.0% | 22.1% |
| Meadow Vista | 3,162 | $100,859 | $640,300 | 41.4% | 4.8% |
| French Camp | 3,264 | $90,893 | $386,600 | 4.9% | 23.2% |
| Lake Nacimiento | 3,339 | $91,615 | $504,200 | 24.7% | 3.5% |
Population Overview
Freedom is a small community located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 3,172. It ranks as the 778th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Freedom is 32.1 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Freedom has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Freedom is $93,750. This is 5% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $755,300. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Freedom is Hispanic or Latino, making up 74.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.4%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (74.2% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower 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 74.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Freedom, 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 Freedom, California?
Freedom, California has a population of 3,172 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Freedom, CA?
The median household income in Freedom is $93,750, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Freedom, CA?
The poverty rate in Freedom is 7.3%. This means approximately 229 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Freedom, California?
Freedom's population is 18.4% White, 1.9% Black, 74.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Freedom, CA?
The median home value in Freedom is $755,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.1x.
How educated is Freedom, California?
24.8% of adults (25+) in Freedom hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.