Soquel, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Soquel, California had a total population of 10,679, the 482nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $118,777, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
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.
Soquel Quick Facts
How Soquel 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 | 10,691 | 10,679 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $114,991 | $118,777 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $908,500 | $957,300 | +5.4% |
How Soquel 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+)
Soquel 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 |
| 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 Soquel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Rock | 10,440 | $126,705 | $909,500 | 24.7% | 6.2% |
| Canyon Lake | 11,119 | $126,926 | $699,600 | 30.7% | 7.3% |
| East Whittier | 9,990 | $113,750 | $834,100 | 36.5% | 3.9% |
| Citrus | 10,904 | $103,465 | $632,000 | 16.0% | 7.7% |
| Sonoma | 10,670 | $98,527 | $970,500 | 51.2% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Soquel is a small city located in California, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 10,679. It ranks as the 482nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Soquel is 42.7 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Soquel is $118,777. This is 20% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 47% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $957,300. Housing costs are 30% 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. 72.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Soquel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (72.1% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (19.6%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
48.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 96.6%. Notably, 19.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Soquel, 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 Soquel, California?
Soquel, California has a population of 10,679 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Soquel, CA?
The median household income in Soquel is $118,777, which is 47% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Soquel, CA?
The poverty rate in Soquel is 9.7%. This means approximately 1,033 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Soquel, California?
Soquel's population is 72.1% White, 0.5% Black, 19.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Soquel, CA?
The median home value in Soquel is $957,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.1x.
How educated is Soquel, California?
48.0% of adults (25+) in Soquel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.