Live Oak, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Live Oak, California had a total population of 16,911, the 383rd largest community in California, with a median household income of $103,674, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.9%.
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 9.8x the median household income.
Live Oak Quick Facts
How Live Oak 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 | 16,866 | 16,911 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $107,500 | $103,674 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $975,900 | $1,015,200 | +4.0% |
How Live Oak 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Live Oak 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 |
| 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 |
| Pleasure Point | 5,489 | $119,821 | 8.9% | $1,183,600 |
Cities Similar to Live Oak
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South San Jose Hills | 16,911 | $94,806 | $544,400 | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Rancho Mirage | 17,563 | $107,364 | $807,200 | 48.6% | 11.7% |
| Fillmore | 16,816 | $92,931 | $602,500 | 15.8% | 7.0% |
| Nipomo | 17,516 | $110,022 | $723,700 | 25.0% | 5.7% |
| Rio Linda | 16,335 | $96,364 | $458,300 | 15.9% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Live Oak is a small city located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 16,911. It ranks as the 383rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Live Oak is 41.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Live Oak is $103,674. This is 5% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 28% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,015,200. Housing costs are 38% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Live Oak is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (55.8% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
40.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Live Oak, 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 Live Oak, California?
Live Oak, California has a population of 16,911 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Live Oak, CA?
The median household income in Live Oak is $103,674, which is 28% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Live Oak, CA?
The poverty rate in Live Oak is 12.9%. This means approximately 2,155 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Live Oak, California?
Live Oak's population is 55.8% White, 1.1% Black, 32.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Live Oak, CA?
The median home value in Live Oak is $1,015,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.8x.
How educated is Live Oak, California?
40.8% of adults (25+) in Live Oak hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.