Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County, Arizona, has a population of approximately 47,669 people. The racial composition is predominantly Hispanic or Latino (83.8%), with White (12.4%), Native American (1.5%), and other races making up the remainder. The median age is about 35.3 years, and the average household size is 2.98. The median household income is estimated at $40,798, and around 24.8% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county seat is Nogales, a significant port of entry at the U.S.-Mexico border.

As of 2023, Santa Cruz County, AZ, has a median home price of approximately $245,000. Rental prices average around $1,200 per month. The homeownership rate is about 62%. The region has seen a 5% year-over-year increase in home values. The vacancy rate is close to 14%, reflecting a mix of seasonal use and available inventory. Housing types range from single-family homes to larger ranch properties.

Santa Cruz County, AZ, conducts elections for various federal, state, and local offices. The county typically sees voter turnout in the range of 60-70% in general elections.

For local positions, elections are held for roles such as County Supervisor, Sheriff, Recorder, Assessor, and School Superintendent. Candidates' names and numbers can vary each election cycle. For instance, in the 2020 elections, notable county-level races included:

• County Supervisor: District-specific races with around 2-3 candidates per district.
• Sheriff: David Hathaway (D) won with approximately 60% of the vote.
• Recorder: Suzie Sainz (D) ran unopposed.

State and federal elections include races for State Legislature seats and U.S. Congressional District 3. In recent years, significant candidates:

• U.S. Congress, District 3: Raúl Grijalva (D) who won with about 62% of the vote in 2020.
• State Legislature: Generally sees 2-4 candidates per seat.

Elections are overseen by the Santa Cruz County Elections Department, which provides detailed information and results on their official website.

As of the most recent data, Santa Cruz County, AZ, shows educational attainment as follows: approximately 71% of residents have at least a high school diploma, which is lower than the national average of around 88%. About 20% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, also below the national average of 33%. Comparatively, the state of Arizona reports about 87% of its residents with a high school diploma and around 29% with a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures indicate that Santa Cruz County lags behind both the national and state averages in terms of educational attainment.

Santa Cruz County, AZ, has an employment landscape dominated by several key industries. According to data from recent years, the top industries in the county are retail trade, manufacturing (particularly in food processing), and educational services, healthcare, and social assistance. Specific employment figures include approximately 23% in retail trade, 18% in manufacturing, and 16% in educational and healthcare services.

When compared to state and national averages:

• Retail trade in Santa Cruz County is notably higher than the national average of around 10.7% and the Arizona state average of 11.2%.
• Manufacturing employment in the county exceeds the national average of 8.5% and Arizona’s average of 7.3%.
• Educational services, healthcare, and social assistance employment in Santa Cruz County aligns closely with the national average of 23% but is higher than Arizona’s average of 21.4%.

The county's employment is heavily influenced by its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, impacting trade and manufacturing sectors significantly.

As of the most recent census and economic data, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, AZ is approximately $41,500. In comparison, the median household income in the state of Arizona is around $61,529, while the national average is roughly $70,784. This indicates that Santa Cruz County falls below both the state and national averages in terms of income.

Income Comparison Table

Santa Cruz County's lower median household income is reflective of its unique economic profile, which includes a significant emphasis on agriculture and border trade.

As of the most recent data available, Santa Cruz County, AZ, exhibits various crime rates. The overall crime rate is approximately 25 crimes per 1,000 residents. Here is a breakdown of specific crime types:

These values provide a snapshot of the crime landscape in Santa Cruz County, allowing for better understanding and community planning.