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Santa Cruz County, California (CA)

County population in 2016: 274,673 (88% urban, 12% rural); it was 255,602 in 2000
County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 40,473
County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 13,756
County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 54,665
Renter-occupied apartments: 40,126 (it was 36,474 in 2000)
% of renters here:

40%
State:

44%

Land area: 445 sq. mi.

Water area: 161.9 sq. mi.

Population density: 617 people per square mile   (high).

Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Santa Cruz County: 149.8 (very high, U.S. average is 100)

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Industries providing employment: Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (35.3%), Educational, health and social services (20.5%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 55%
  • Government: 12%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 33%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%
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Santa Cruz County races chart

Races in Santa Cruz County, California:

  • White Non-Hispanic Alone (57.6%)
  • Hispanic or Latino (33.5%)
  • Asian alone (4.9%)
  • Two or more races (2.7%)
  • Black Non-Hispanic Alone (1.0%)
Median resident age:  37.4 years
California median age:  36.4 years
Males: 136,118  (49.6%)
Females: 138,555  (50.4%)
Santa Cruz County, CA forum
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Santa Cruz County,CA real estate house value trend


Average household size:
Santa Cruz County:

2.0 people
California:

3 people
Estimated median household income in 2016: $77,613 ($53,998 in 1999)

This county:

$77,613
California:

$67,739

Median contract rent in 2016 for apartments: $1,489 (lower quartile is $1,051, upper quartile is $1,972)
This county:

$1489
State:

$1252


Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $712,800 (it was $353,300 in 2000)
Santa Cruz:

$712,800
California:

$477,500
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $487,300 - $963,400

Mean price in 2016:

Detached houses: $865,233
Here:

$865,233
State:

$662,746

Townhouses or other attached units: $593,651
Here:

$593,651
State:

$572,965

In 2-unit structures: $723,035
Here:

$723,035
State:

$907,600

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $561,275
Here:

$561,275
State:

$578,996

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $515,445
Here:

$515,445
State:

$548,947

Mobile homes: $201,100
Here:

$201,100
State:

$109,501

Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $138,626
Here:

$138,626
State:

$63,398
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $2,673
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $579

Institutionalized population: 1,166

Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 34
  • Robberies: 44
  • Assaults: 237
  • Burglaries: 844
  • Thefts: 1947
  • Auto thefts: 15

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 2
  • Rapes: 29
  • Robberies: 23
  • Assaults: 270
  • Burglaries: 730
  • Thefts: 1827
  • Auto thefts: 16
Santa Cruz County, CA map from a distance

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2000: 390 buildings, average cost: $254,600
  • 2001: 432 buildings, average cost: $218,900
  • 2002: 412 buildings, average cost: $231,100
  • 2003: 663 buildings, average cost: $226,600
  • 2004: 736 buildings, average cost: $233,900
  • 2007: 321 buildings, average cost: $247,900
  • 2008: 215 buildings, average cost: $232,500
  • 2009: 132 buildings, average cost: $240,300
  • 2010: 119 buildings, average cost: $287,800
  • 2011: 99 buildings, average cost: $242,500
  • 2012: 169 buildings, average cost: $238,600
  • 2013: 173 buildings, average cost: $232,000
  • 2014: 172 buildings, average cost: $240,300
Number of permits per 10,000 residents
Average permit cost
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2016: $5,172 (0.7%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2016: $2,780 (0.4%)

Santa Cruz County household income distribution in 2013 Santa Cruz County home values distribution in 2013 Santa Cruz County contract rent distribution in 2013
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2016: 13.7%
Santa Cruz County:

13.7%
California:

14.3%
(11.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 21.2% for Black residents, 17.3% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 11.9% for American Indian residents, 45.5% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 19.9% for other race residents, 14.4% for two or more races residents)

Median age of residents in 2016: 37.4 years old
(Males: 36.5 years old, Females: 38.9 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 47.2 years old, Black residents: 48.7 years old, American Indian residents: 38.7 years old, Asian residents: 33.3 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 26.6 years old, Other race residents: 27.4 years old)

Area name: Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz County is $1030 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1343 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $1933 a month.

Cities in this county include: Santa Cruz, Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, Live Oak, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Aptos, Rio del Mar, Interlaken, Opal Cliffs.

Santa Cruz County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential
Zip codeCityNumber of testsNumber of tests >= 4 pCi/L
95001Aptos50
95003Aptos2569
95005Ben Lomond7421
95006Boulder Creek706
95010Capitola671
95017Davenport20
95018Felton9623
95019Freedom80
95060Santa Cruz48228
95061Santa Cruz20
95062Santa Cruz2553
95063Santa Cruz40
95064Santa Cruz192
95065Santa Cruz1023
95066Scotts Valley15420
95067Scotts Valley10
95073Soquel942
95076Watsonville2231

2012 air pollution in Santa Cruz County:

Ozone (1-hour): 0.023 ppm (standard limit: 0.12 ppm). Below U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual: 5.8 µg/m3(standard limit: 15.0 µg/m3). Below U.S. average.

Click to draw/clear Santa Cruz County borders

Neighboring counties: Brunswick County, Virginia , Cumberland County, Virginia , Hart County, Kentucky , Mathews County, Virginia , Newport News city, Virginia .

Unemployment in September 2015:
Here:

5.4%
California:

5.5%

Unemployment by year
County total employment by year
County average yearly wages by year

Current college students: 27,005
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 87.3%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 40.5%

Number of foreign born residents: 47,062 (39.9% naturalized citizens)

Santa Cruz County:

17.1%
Whole state:

27.2%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 5,6482010 or later
  • 12,5242000 to 2009
  • 12,6061990 to 1999
  • 13,3421980 to 1989
  • 8,4311970 to 1979
  • 7,445Before 1970

Mean travel time to work (commute): 27.8 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 73.8%

Santa Cruz County marital status for males Santa Cruz County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 67,626
  • One, attached: 8,380
  • Two: 3,221
  • 3 or 4: 4,961
  • 5 to 9: 4,770
  • 10 to 19: 4,475
  • 20 to 49: 2,846
  • 50 or more: 3,826
  • Mobile homes: 5,493
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 37

Housing units in Santa Cruz County with a mortgage: 38,868 (2,077 second mortgage, 6,910 home equity loan, 316 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 17,364

Here:

69.1% with mortgage
State:

71.1% with mortgage

Religion statistics for Santa Cruz County

Religions Adherents in 2010
Year 2000 to 2010 Change
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic50,50013
Evangelical Protestant13,83884
Other10,59352
Mainline Protestant5,04928
Orthodox1,1044
Black Protestant2383
None181,060-
Santa Cruz County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 64
Santa Cruz County:

2.55 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.

Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:

0.04 / 10,000 pop.
California:

0.04 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas): 16
This county:

0.64 / 10,000 pop.
California:

0.62 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 39
Santa Cruz County:

1.56 / 10,000 pop.
California:

1.49 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 246
This county:

9.81 / 10,000 pop.
State:

7.42 / 10,000 pop.

Adult diabetes rate:
Santa Cruz County:

6.1%
California:

7.3%

Adult obesity rate:
Santa Cruz County:

17.8%
State:

21.3%

Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:

19.2%
State:

17.9%

Agriculture in Santa Cruz County:

Average size of farms: 89 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $479,975
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $14376.16
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 24.54%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 2.46%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $366,003
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 36.56%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 95.29%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $81,260
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 72.94%
Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 5.11
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 5.12%
Vegetables: 18,627 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 4,850 acres

Earthquake activity:

Santa Cruz County-area historical earthquake activity is near California state average. It is 763% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 4/18/1906 at 13:12:21, a magnitude 7.9 (7.9 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 89.1 miles away from Santa Cruz County center, causing $524,000,000 total damage
On 10/18/1989 at 00:04:15, a magnitude 7.1 (6.5 MB, 7.1 MS, 6.9 MW, 7.0 ML) earthquake occurred 13.5 miles away from the county center, causing 62 deaths (62 shaking deaths) and 3757 injuries, causing $1,305,032,704 total damage
On 11/4/1927 at 13:51:53, a magnitude 7.5 (7.5 UK) earthquake occurred 153.7 miles away from the county center
On 7/21/1952 at 11:52:14, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK) earthquake occurred 216.5 miles away from the county center, causing $50,000,000 total damage
On 5/2/1983 at 23:42:37, a magnitude 6.7 (6.2 MB, 6.5 MS, 6.5 MW, 6.7 ML, Class: Strong, Intensity: VII - IX) earthquake occurred 107.4 miles away from Santa Cruz County center, causing $31,000,000 total damage
On 1/31/1922 at 13:17:28, a magnitude 7.6 (7.6 UK) earthquake occurred 320.2 miles away from the county center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Most recent natural disasters:

  • California Tsunami Waves, Incident Period: March 11, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1968: April 18, 2011, FEMA Id: 1968, Natural disaster type: Tsunami Wave
  • California Lockheed Fire, Incident Period: August 12, 2009 to August 23, 2009, Fire Management Assistance Declared: August 13, 2009, FEMA Id: 2824, Natural disaster type: Fire
  • California Trabing Fire, Incident Period: June 20, 2008 to December 31, 1969, Fire Management Assistance Declared: June 20, 2008, FEMA Id: 2775, Natural disaster type: Fire
  • California Wildfires, Incident Period: June 20, 2008 to August 20, 2008, Emergency Declared EM-3287: June 28, 2008, FEMA Id: 3287, Natural disaster type: Fire
  • California Martin Fire, Incident Period: June 11, 2008 to June 17, 2008, Fire Management Assistance Declared: June 11, 2008, FEMA Id: 2772, Natural disaster type: Fire
  • California Summit Fire, Incident Period: May 22, 2008 to May 28, 2008, Fire Management Assistance Declared: May 22, 2008, FEMA Id: 2766, Natural disaster type: Fire
  • California Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: March 29, 2006 to April 16, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1646: June 05, 2006, FEMA Id: 1646, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
  • California Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides, Incident Period: December 17, 2005 to January 03, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1628: February 03, 2006, FEMA Id: 1628, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
  • California Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3248: September 13, 2005, FEMA Id: 3248, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • California Croy Fire, Incident Period: September 23, 2002 to October 05, 2002, Fire Management Assistance Declared: September 25, 2002, FEMA Id: 2465, Natural disaster type: Fire
  • 12 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.

The number of natural disasters in Santa Cruz County (22) is a lot greater than the US average (13).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 14
Emergencies Declared: 3

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 10, Fires: 7, Storms: 7, Landslides: 4, Mudslides: 4, Winter Storms: 3, Drought: 1, Earthquake: 1, Freeze: 1, Hurricane: 1, Tornado: 1, Tsunami Wave: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Class of Workers in 2016
Most common industries in 2016 (%)
Males Females
Most common industries for males in 2016


  • Health care and social assistance (19%)
  • Educational services (15%)
  • Retail trade (10%)
  • Accommodation and food services (9%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (7%)
  • Other services, except public administration (6%)
  • Manufacturing (5%)

Most common industries for females in 2016


  • Health care and social assistance (20%)
  • Educational services (16%)
  • Retail trade (11%)
  • Accommodation and food services (9%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (7%)
  • Other services, except public administration (6%)
  • Manufacturing (6%)

Most common occupations in 2016 (%)
Males Females
Most common occupations for males in 2016


  • Management occupations (12%)
  • Sales and related occupations (12%)
  • Construction and extraction occupations (9%)
  • Office and administrative support occupations (7%)
  • Food preparation and serving related occupations (6%)
  • Production occupations (5%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5%)

Most common occupations for females in 2016


  • Office and administrative support occupations (15%)
  • Sales and related occupations (12%)
  • Management occupations (10%)
  • Personal care and service occupations (9%)
  • Education, training, and library occupations (8%)
  • Food preparation and serving related occupations (8%)
  • Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (7%)

Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents


  • Mexico (60%)
  • China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (4%)
  • El Salvador (4%)
  • Philippines (3%)
  • Canada (2%)
  • United Kingdom, excluding England and Scotland (2%)
  • Germany (2%)

Most common first ancestries reported in Santa Cruz County


  • European (4%)
  • American (4%)
  • German (4%)
  • English (4%)
  • Irish (4%)
  • Italian (3%)
  • Scottish (1%)

Santa Cruz County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work:

  • Drove a car alone: 83,863 (69.1%)
  • Carpooled: 8,600 (7.1%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 2,689 (2.2%)
  • Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 4,544 (3.7%)
  • Bicycle: 3,598 (3.0%)
  • Walked: 7,772 (6.4%)
  • Worked at home: 10,348 (8.5%)
Owners and renters by unit type
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders

People in group quarters in Santa Cruz County, California in 2000:

  • 4,659 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
  • 1,389 people in nursing homes
  • 976 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 570 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 243 people in other nonhousehold living situations
  • 227 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
  • 222 people in homes for the mentally ill
  • 176 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
  • 108 people in religious group quarters
  • 94 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
  • 92 people in homes for the physically handicapped
  • 86 people in state prisons
  • 80 people in other group homes
  • 44 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 26 people in job corps and vocational training facilities
  • 24 people in short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children
  • 11 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
  • 11 people in hospices or homes for chronically ill

People in group quarters in Santa Cruz County, California in 2010:

  • 6,731 people in college/university student housing
  • 1,517 people in other noninstitutional facilities
  • 681 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
  • 670 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 422 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 378 people in residential treatment centers for adults
  • 310 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
  • 181 people in group homes intended for adults
  • 33 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 33 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 7 people in hospitals with patients who have no usual home elsewhere
  • 5 people in military barracks and dormitories (nondisciplinary)
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $66,313.

5.30% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($46,865 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.30%
California average:

5.03%


0.03% of residents moved from foreign countries ($318 average AGI)
Santa Cruz County:

0.03%
California average:

0.07%

3.89% relocated from other counties in California ($36,762 average AGI)
1.38% relocated from other states ($9,786 average AGI)
Santa Cruz County:

1.38%
California average:

1.68%

Residents relocating <b>from</b> other counties or countries

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
from Santa Clara County, CA  0.89% ($70,031 average AGI)
from Monterey County, CA  0.54% ($38,507)
from Alameda County, CA  0.22% ($56,459)
from Los Angeles County, CA  0.22% ($48,121)
from San Francisco County, CA  0.17% ($53,630)
from San Diego County, CA  0.17% ($38,205)
from San Mateo County, CA  0.16% ($71,376)


5.90% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($43,445 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.90%
California average:

5.12%


0.05% of residents moved to foreign countries ($141 average AGI)
Santa Cruz County:

0.05%
California average:

0.10%

4.36% relocated to other counties in California ($31,563 average AGI)
1.49% relocated to other states ($11,741 average AGI)
Santa Cruz County:

1.49%
California average:

1.74%

Residents relocating <b>to</b> other counties or countries

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
to Santa Clara County, CA  0.93% ($59,568 average AGI)
to Monterey County, CA  0.86% ($34,670)
to Alameda County, CA  0.29% ($41,232)
to San Francisco County, CA  0.26% ($48,467)
to Los Angeles County, CA  0.25% ($30,298)
to San Mateo County, CA  0.14% ($58,507)
to San Diego County, CA  0.14% ($30,362)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 15.8
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 14.0
Births per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 12.3

Births per 1000 population in Santa Cruz County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 7.0
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 6.5
Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 6.4

Deaths per 1000 population in Santa Cruz County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 5.3
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 4.2
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2007 to 2013: 0.9

Infant deaths per 1000 population in Santa Cruz County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 18.5%
Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 8.1%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Santa Cruz County
All 18-64 40-64 50-64 Under 19
Population without health insurance coverage in Santa Cruz County
18-64 population without health insurance coverage in Santa Cruz County
40-64 population without health insurance coverage in Santa Cruz County
50-64 population without health insurance coverage in Santa Cruz County
Population under 19 years without health insurance coverage in Santa Cruz County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 29,885 (25,222 aged, 4,663 disabled)
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 6,537 (12%)
Persons enrolled in Medicare
Aged persons enrolled in Medicare
Disabled persons enrolled in Medicare

Most common underlying causes of death in Santa Cruz County, California in 1999 - 2014:

  • Atherosclerotic heart disease (1,982)
  • Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (1,295)
  • Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (1,279)
  • Alzheimer's disease, unspecified (939)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified (906)
  • Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (853)
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (766)
  • Congestive heart failure (712)
  • Breast, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (537)
  • Pneumonia, unspecified (480)

Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 17%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 13%

Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 34.6. This is less than state average.

Mechanisms of homicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 19.3
  • Other - 15.3

Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 122.4. This is less than state average.

Mechanisms of suicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 48.7
  • Suffocation - 32.3
  • Poisoning - 27.2
  • Other - 14.2

Household type by relationship:

Households: 274,673
  • In family households: 209,299 (31,839 male householders, 28,661 female householders)
    45,665 spouses, 76,575 children (70,854 natural, 2,850 adopted, 2,871 stepchildren), 7,947 grandchildren, 1,615 brothers or sisters, 2,310 parents, 5,568 other relatives, 9,119 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 52,667 (16,567 male householders (11,665 living alone)), 19,190 female householders (13,585 living alone)), 16,910 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 12,707

Size of family households: 23,709 2-persons, 14,706 3-persons, 12,226 4-persons, 4,309 5-persons, 2,648 6-persons, 2,902 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 25,250 1-person, 7,182 2-persons, 1,872 3-persons, 772 4-persons, 407 5-persons, 86 6-persons, 188 7-or-more-persons.

32,780 married couples with children.
11,726 single-parent households (3,649 men, 8,077 women).

67.5% of residents of Santa Cruz speak English at home.
26.0% of residents speak Spanish at home (56% speak English very well, 16% speak English well, 17% speak English not well, 11% don't speak English at all).
2.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (83% speak English very well, 12% speak English well, 4% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
3.0% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (70% speak English very well, 16% speak English well, 12% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
0.5% of residents speak other language at home (69% speak English very well, 6% speak English well, 13% speak English not well, 12% don't speak English at all).

In fiscal year 2004:

Federal Government expenditure: $1,081,694,000 ($4,316 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $27,592,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $406,668,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $269,772,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $1,275,000
Federal grants: $341,882,000
Federal procurement contracts: $25,993,000 ($7,369,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $36,104,000 ($501,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $101,804,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $23,013,000
Federal Government insurance: $739,907,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:

Births: 17,932
Here:

72 per 1000 residents
State:

77 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 8,784
Here:

35 per 1000 residents
State:

34 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +7,935
Here:

+32 per 1000 residents
State:

+39 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -22,680
Here:  -91 per 1000 residents
State:  -18 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Santa Cruz County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 26.70 millions of gallons per day (53% from ground, 47% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:

5.8
State:

6.0

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:

4.0
State:

4.0

Year house built in Santa Cruz County, California Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 3802014 or later
  • 9712010 to 2013
  • 9,3642000 to 2009
  • 10,1371990 to 1999
  • 13,8411980 to 1989
  • 23,5231970 to 1979
  • 14,5441960 to 1969
  • 11,3641950 to 1959
  • 8,1551940 to 1949
  • 13,3561939 or earlier
Rooms in houses/apartments in Santa Cruz County, California
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Santa Cruz County, California Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 2221 room
  • 8332 rooms
  • 2,9203 rooms
  • 8,7434 rooms
  • 12,2245 rooms
  • 12,1696 rooms
  • 8,9747 rooms
  • 4,6238 rooms
  • 5,5249+ rooms
Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Santa Cruz County, California Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 5,0381 room
  • 2,8122 rooms
  • 7,5063 rooms
  • 9,8204 rooms
  • 8,3575 rooms
  • 3,4776 rooms
  • 1,8137 rooms
  • 5838 rooms
  • 6199+ rooms
Bedrooms in houses/apartments in Santa Cruz County, California
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Santa Cruz County, California Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 419no bedroom
  • 2,7221 bedroom
  • 14,6362 bedrooms
  • 25,4363 bedrooms
  • 10,0384 bedrooms
  • 2,9815+ bedrooms
Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Santa Cruz County, California Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 5,265no bedroom
  • 9,0961 bedroom
  • 14,9362 bedrooms
  • 8,1423 bedrooms
  • 2,1804 bedrooms
  • 4065+ bedrooms
Cars and other vehicles available in Santa Cruz County, California in houses/condos/apartments
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Cars and other vehicles available in Santa Cruz County in owner-occupied houses/condos Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 1,264no vehicle
  • 11,6001 vehicle
  • 22,7652 vehicles
  • 11,8603 vehicles
  • 5,6454 vehicles
  • 3,0985+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Santa Cruz County in renter-occupied apartments Note: State values scaled to Santa Cruz County population
  • 4,483no vehicle
  • 15,0381 vehicle
  • 14,5672 vehicles
  • 4,3383 vehicles
  • 1,0154 vehicles
  • 5845+ vehicles

85.6% of Santa Cruz County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 30% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 72% lived in California.

Santa Cruz County:

85.6%
State average:

86.6%

Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 168,018
  • Other state: 55,389
  • Northeast: 16,105
  • Midwest: 16,874
  • South: 10,528
  • West: 11,882
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Santa Cruz County
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos
  • 66.0%Utility gas
  • 12.7%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 11.2%Electricity
  • 7.3%Wood
  • 1.4%Solar energy
  • 0.6%No fuel used
  • 0.6%Other fuel
  • 0.2%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments
  • 53.0%Utility gas
  • 33.9%Electricity
  • 6.0%No fuel used
  • 5.0%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 2.0%Wood
  • 0.2%Other fuel

Private vs. public school enrollment:


Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 2,278
Here:

9.8%
California:

7.9%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 1,334
Here:

9.8%
California:

7.6%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 2,066
Here:

6.4%
California:

15.5%

Educational Attainment
School Enrollment by Level of School
Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Noninstitutionalized Residents with Employment Disability

Santa Cruz County government finances - Expenditure in 2006:

  • Assistance and Subsidies - Public Welfare, Federal Categorical Assistance Programs: $50,248,000
    Public Welfare, Cash Assistance Programs - Other: $708,000
  • Construction - Housing and Community Development: $26,144,000
    Solid Waste Management: $6,862,000
    General - Other: $1,603,000
    General Public Buildings: $1,161,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $605,000
    Health - Other: $162,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education: $37,000
    Sewerage: $1,000
  • Current Operations - Health - Other: $75,492,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $64,801,000
    General - Other: $32,771,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education: $32,516,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $28,156,000
    Correctional Institutions: $24,545,000
    Police Protection: $22,322,000
    Central Staff Services: $15,248,000
    Regular Highways: $13,714,000
    Sewerage: $12,513,000
    Solid Waste Management: $11,531,000
    Corrections - Other: $10,261,000
    Financial Administration: $7,545,000
    Parks and Recreation: $6,080,000
    Housing and Community Development: $5,583,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation, NEC: $5,271,000
    Libraries: $4,348,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $2,698,000
    Local Fire Protection: $2,692,000
    Parking Facilities: $190,000
    General Public Buildings: $64,000
    Public Welfare, Vendor Payments for Other Purposes: $27,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $11,230,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local NEC - Elementary and Secondary Education: $11,414,000
  • Intergovernmental to State - General - Other: $608,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $7,827,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $1,070,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education: $966,000
    Solid Waste Management: $843,000
    Health - Other: $242,000
    Housing and Community Development: $240,000
    Police Protection: $227,000
    Central Staff Services: $116,000
    Parks and Recreation: $80,000
    Corrections - Other: $19,000
    Local Fire Protection: $10,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $8,000
    Financial Administration: $4,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation, NEC: $3,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $212,019,000

Santa Cruz County government finances - Revenue in 2006:

  • Charges - All Other: $52,775,000
    Sewerage: $19,042,000
    Solid Waste Management: $11,984,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education - Other: $5,497,000
    Parks and Recreation: $1,391,000
    Regular Highways: $597,000
    Housing and Community Development: $256,000
    Hospital Public: $123,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - All Other: $11,170,000
    Education: $135,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - All Other: $3,030,000
    Education: $527,000
    Housing and Community Development: $503,000
    Sewerage: $101,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue, NEC: $14,022,000
    Interest Earnings: $12,979,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $6,071,000
    Rents: $1,032,000
    Sale of Property: $235,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Public Welfare: $82,216,000
    Health and Hospitals: $41,733,000
    All Other: $36,843,000
    Education: $31,087,000
    General Local Government Support: $14,919,000
    Highways: $7,373,000
    Sewerage: $8,000
  • Tax - Property: $93,604,000
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $6,102,000
    Occupation and Business License, NEC: $5,215,000
    Other Selective Sales: $3,732,000
    Public Utilities Sales: $2,910,000
    Documentary and Stock Transfer: $2,243,000
    Other License: $1,456,000

Santa Cruz County government finances - Debt in 2006:

  • Long Term Debt - Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $273,554,000
    Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $213,518,000
    Issue, Unspecified Public Purpose: $68,860,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $8,824,000

Santa Cruz County government finances - Cash and Securities in 2006:

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $76,708,000
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $271,723,000
  • Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $7,794,000

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2006:

  • Total number of recipients: 5,715
  • Number of aged recipients: 1,143
  • Number of blind and disabled recipients: 4,572
  • Number of recipients under 18: 307
  • Number of recipients between 18 and 64: 3,662
  • Number of recipients older than 64: 1,746
  • Number of recipients also receiving OASDI: 3,061
  • Amount of payments (thousands of dollars): 3,106
Santa Cruz County Fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 1994
Count Vehicles DUI Fatalities Persons Pedestrians
Fatal accident count
Vehicles involved in fatal accidents
Fatal accidents involving drunken persons
Fatalities
Persons involved in fatal accidents
Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents
Santa Cruz County Fatal accident statistics for 1995 - 2014
Count Vehicles DUI Fatalities Persons Pedestrians
Fatal accident count
Vehicles involved in fatal accidents
Fatal accidents involving drunken persons
Fatalities
Persons involved in fatal accidents
Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 52 full tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans		B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
E) Loans on Dwellings For 5+ Families
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)		G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED519$342,9341,373$367,6906,717$348,949253$268,4518$1,509,8751,061$361,63190$149,178
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED37$350,703161$385,671614$377,48925$187,0000$0120$349,74222$121,318
APPLICATIONS DENIED109$317,284267$351,1241,820$398,70197$191,7944$911,000336$369,458100$149,830
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN62$345,419189$364,1851,015$380,78960$206,8001$520,000165$349,56418$190,889
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS19$362,73757$372,825332$365,82824$171,4170$039$367,17912$127,417
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 46 full tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		B) Refinancings
C) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A & B)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED97$336,20618$411,8890$0
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED44$346,8869$443,6672$396,500
APPLICATIONS DENIED25$320,92011$452,0001$405,000
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN12$299,0833$524,0001$405,000
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS2$372,5000$00$0
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Conventional Home Purchase Loans
Conventional Home Purchase Loans - Value
Most common first names in Santa Cruz County, CA among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
John1,46576.2 years
Mary1,22081.3 years
William1,15076.5 years
Robert96872.7 years
James85274.2 years
George79477.6 years
Charles74876.6 years
Margaret57981.4 years
Frank57677.9 years
Helen56981.8 years
Most common last names in Santa Cruz County, CA among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith51777.3 years
Johnson35977.3 years
Anderson25878.1 years
Brown24778.3 years
Miller24577.6 years
Davis22077.4 years
Williams21276.1 years
Jones20075.8 years
Wilson18877.1 years
Taylor18878.7 years
Businesses in Santa Cruz County, CA
NameCountNameCount
24 Hour Fitness1Long John Silver's1
7-Eleven10Macy's1
AT&T4Marshalls1
Abercrombie & Fitch1MasterBrand Cabinets9
Ace Hardware9Mazda1
Aeropostale1McDonald's6
Applebee's1Men's Wearhouse1
AutoZone1Motel 61
Baskin-Robbins4Motherhood Maternity1
Bath & Body Works1New Balance5
Bed Bath & Beyond1Nike20
Best Western6Nissan1
Big O Tires1OfficeMax1
Blockbuster3Pac Sun1
Burger King6Panda Express2
CVS9Payless4
Carl\s Jr.2Penske1
Chevrolet1PetSmart1
Cold Stone Creamery1Pier 1 Imports1
Comfort Inn3Quality2
Costco1Quiznos4
Curves3RadioShack5
Dairy Queen2Ramada1
Decora Cabinetry2Red Roof Inn1
Dennys1Rite Aid5
Domino's Pizza1Rue211
Express1SAS Shoes2
FedEx33Safeway7
Firestone Complete Auto Care2Sears5
Foot Locker1Spencer Gifts1
Ford2Sprint Nextel1
GNC5Staples2
GameStop3Starbucks14
Gap1Subaru1
Goodwill4Subway9
Gymboree1Super 82
H&R Block5T-Mobile6
Hilton2Taco Bell6
Holiday Inn2Target1
Home Depot2The Limited1
Honda1Toyota1
Hot Topic1Toys"R"Us2
Howard Johnson1Trader Joe's2
IHOP1Travelodge1
Jack In The Box2True Value4
Jamba Juice6U-Haul9
Jones New York14UPS34
Journeys1Urban Outfitters1
Justice1Vans8
KFC4Verizon Wireless5
Kmart2Victoria's Secret1
Knights Inn1Volkswagen1
Kohl's1Vons7
Kroger7Walgreens3
La-Z-Boy1Wendy's2
Lane Furniture4Wet Seal1
LensCrafters1Whole Foods Market2
Little Caesars Pizza3YMCA2

Santa Cruz County on our top lists:

  • #2 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #6 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest decrease in the number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #9 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for 3rd party candidates in the 2012 Presidential Election (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #24 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest Ozone (1-hour) air pollution readings in 2012 (ppm)"
  • #27 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for Obama (Democrat) in the 2012 Presidential Election (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #47 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
  • #50 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for 3rd party candidates in the 2012 Presidential Election"
  • #54 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for Obama (Democrat) in the 2012 Presidential Election"
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