Interlaken, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Interlaken, California had a total population of 8,068, the 539th largest community in California, with a median household income of $109,150, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
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 7.6x the median household income.
Interlaken Quick Facts
How Interlaken 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 | 8,191 | 8,068 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $111,021 | $109,150 | -1.7% |
| Median home value | $787,400 | $831,000 | +5.5% |
How Interlaken 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+)
Interlaken 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 |
| Ben Lomond | 6,858 | $130,041 | 4.9% | $960,700 |
| Aptos | 6,404 | $134,048 | 5.9% | $1,093,300 |
| Pleasure Point | 5,489 | $119,821 | 8.9% | $1,183,600 |
Cities Similar to Interlaken
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| Acton | 7,880 | $113,000 | $733,400 | 29.9% | 13.1% |
| Pismo Beach | 8,014 | $118,072 | $1,021,300 | 51.7% | 6.9% |
| Highgrove | 8,366 | $114,125 | $625,800 | 37.7% | 8.5% |
| Cotati | 7,489 | $110,750 | $746,800 | 37.6% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Interlaken is a small city located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 8,068. It ranks as the 539th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Interlaken is 34.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Interlaken has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Interlaken is $109,150. This is 10% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $831,000. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Interlaken is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.2% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 72.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Interlaken, 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 Interlaken, California?
Interlaken, California has a population of 8,068 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Interlaken, CA?
The median household income in Interlaken is $109,150, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Interlaken, CA?
The poverty rate in Interlaken is 14.9%. This means approximately 1,197 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Interlaken, California?
Interlaken's population is 15.4% White, 0.4% Black, 82.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Interlaken, CA?
The median home value in Interlaken is $831,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Interlaken, California?
16.1% of adults (25+) in Interlaken hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.