San Benito County

As of the latest U.S. Census data, San Benito County, CA, has a population of approximately 64,000. The racial makeup is about 54% Hispanic or Latino, 37% White, 4% Asian, 2% Black or African American, and 3% other races or two or more races. The median household income is around $85,000, with about 10% of the population living below the poverty line. The area includes the cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista. The median age is approximately 35 years.

As of 2023, San Benito County, CA has a median home price of approximately $750,000. The median rental rate is around $2,500 per month. The area has a homeownership rate of 66%, with an average household size of 3.3 people. Housing market growth has been stable, with a year-over-year appreciation rate of about 6%. Housing inventory remains relatively tight, contributing to competitive market conditions.

San Benito County, CA, conducts elections for local, state, and federal offices. The San Benito County Elections Department oversees these elections. Key elections include those for the Board of Supervisors, City Councils, and School Boards.

As a small county with a population of around 64,000, voter turnout and candidate pools are manageable in size. For example, in the 2022 Board of Supervisors elections, District 3 saw an approximate voter turnout of 57%, with two main candidates: Peter Hernandez and Mindy Sotelo. Hernandez won the seat.

City Council elections, such as those in Hollister, often feature multiple candidates vying for limited seats. In 2022, Hollister had seven candidates for two open council positions.

For the most accurate and updated information, refer to the San Benito County Elections Department's official resources.

San Benito County, CA, shows moderate educational attainment levels. As of recent data, approximately 79.5% of residents aged 25 and over have at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of around 88% and California's average of 83.5%. Around 22.9% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is below the national average of about 33.1% and the California state average of 34.2%. The county's educational attainment lags behind both state and national averages, reflecting opportunities for improvement.

As of 2023, San Benito County, CA, has an employment rate of approximately 63.2%, which is comparable to the California state average of 62.8% but higher than the national average of 61.7%. The county's labor force numbers around 30,000 individuals.

Top industries in San Benito County include:

1. Agriculture
2. Manufacturing
3. Retail Trade

Agriculture significantly outperforms both state and national averages, constituting a larger percentage of the local economy. Manufacturing and retail trade are also prominent but align more closely with state and national trends. Notably, the agriculture sector employs around 27% of the county's workforce, compared to 7.5% in California and 1.3% nationwide. Manufacturing employs about 13%, higher than the national average of 8.5% and state average of 9.5%. Retail trade employs 12%, aligning closely with both state and national percentages (approximately 11-12%).

As of the latest available data, the median household income in San Benito County, CA is approximately $87,700. This is higher than the national median household income, which stands at around $68,700, and the California state median household income, which is approximately $80,440.

San Benito County also exhibits a slightly higher cost of living compared to both the national and state averages, which reflects in higher income requirements to maintain a similar lifestyle.

San Benito County, California, has relatively low crime rates compared to state and national averages. As per the latest available data, the county has a crime rate of approximately 2,200 incidents per 100,000 people.

The overall crime rate includes both violent and property crimes. Efforts by local law enforcement and community initiatives focus on maintaining public safety and reducing crime rates further.