Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County, CA, has a population of approximately 270,000. The racial composition is roughly 58% White, 33% Hispanic or Latino, 5% Asian, 1% African American, and 3% mixed or other races. The median household income is about $80,000. The population under 18 is around 20%, while those 65 and older make up about 15%. Educationally, around 40% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The county’s unemployment rate hovers around 5%. Homeownership stands at approximately 60%, with a median home value of $900,000.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Santa Cruz County Data.

As of 2023, Santa Cruz County, CA, has a median home price of approximately $1.2 million. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around $3,000 per month. The housing market shows a 6.7% year-over-year increase. The homeownership rate is about 58%, with a typical property spending 30 days on the market. The county's affordability index is lower than the national average, reflecting high demand and limited inventory.

Santa Cruz County, CA, conducts elections for various local, state, and federal positions. In the November 2022 General Election, voter turnout was approximately 66%, with 115,000 registered voters. Key races included:

• Board of Supervisors: Notably competitive in District 3 and District 4.

  • District 3: Justin Cummings edged out Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson.
  • District 4: Felipe Hernandez defeated Jimmy Dutra.

• State Assembly (District 28): Gail Pellerin won against Liz Lawler.

• U.S. House of Representatives (District 19): Jimmy Panetta retained his seat against Jeff Gorman.

• Santa Cruz City Council: Three seats were contested, with Fred Keeley, Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, and Scott Newsome winning.

For up-to-date and precise information, visit the Santa Cruz County Elections Department website or trusted local news sources.

Santa Cruz County, CA, exhibits a well-educated population. According to recent data, approximately 89.3% of residents over the age of 25 have at least a high school diploma. Furthermore, about 40.0% possess a bachelor's degree or higher. In comparison, the national average for high school graduates is approximately 88.5%, with around 33.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. At the state level, California reports about 83.3% high school graduates, while around 35.0% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Thus, Santa Cruz County surpasses both national and state averages in educational attainment.

As of the latest data, Santa Cruz County, CA has a labor force of approximately 142,000 people, with an unemployment rate around 6%, slightly above the California average of 5% and the national average of 4.8%.

Top industries in Santa Cruz County include:

1. Education and Health Services: Nearly 20% of the workforce.
2. Government: Around 16%.
3. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: Roughly 15%.
4. Leisure and Hospitality: About 11%.
5. Professional and Business Services: Approximately 10%.

Compared to state and national averages, Santa Cruz has a higher concentration in Educational Services due to institutions like the University of California, Santa Cruz. The county also has a robust agricultural sector, particularly in organic farming, which isn't as prominent in the national averages.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, CA is approximately $87,000. In comparison, the median household income for the state of California is around $80,440 and the national median household income stands at roughly $68,700.

Income Comparison Table

Santa Cruz County's income is noticeably higher than both the state and national averages, reflective of its higher cost of living.

As of the most recent data from 2021, Santa Cruz County, CA, reported a mixed trend in crime rates. The overall crime rate was 2,784 incidents per 100,000 people. Violent crime accounted for 287 incidents per 100,000 people, including offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crime was more prevalent, with 2,497 incidents per 100,000 people, including burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

This snapshot provides an overview of crime trends in the region for effective public awareness and policy-making.