Santa Cruz County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Santa Cruz County is located in California with a total population of 266,021. It is the 25th most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Santa Cruz County is 39.6 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Santa Cruz County is $109,266. This is 13% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,015,200. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Cruz County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 35.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (54.6% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

43.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.5%. Notably, 18.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.