Santa Cruz, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Santa Cruz, California is 60,953 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 152nd-largest city in California. The median household income is $111,427, the median home value is $1,180,100, and the median age is 30.7.
The population has grown 3.3% since 2010 (60,578 → 62,581).
60,953
Population
4784
People / sq mi
$111,427
Median Income
$1,180,100
Median Home Value
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Santa Cruz covers 12.7 sq mi of land at 4784 people per square mile.
About Santa Cruz, CA
Housing cost is the defining feature of Santa Cruz: the median home is valued at $1,180,100. Santa Cruz is a city in California with a population of 60,953.
Median household income is $111,427, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 5.5%, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $1,180,100, with typical rent around $2,302.
About 57.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, above the 35.0% national figure. Remote work is on the higher side at 19.3%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Santa Cruz — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Santa Cruz city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Santa Cruz city had a population of 60,578 in 2010 and 62,581 in 2024, a 3.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 64,815 in 2017. Average annual growth rate: 0.37%.
62,581
Population (2024)
60,578
Population (2010)
64,815
Peak (2017)
0.37%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 60,578 |
| 2011 | 61,434 |
| 2012 | 61,954 |
| 2013 | 62,731 |
| 2014 | 63,172 |
| 2015 | 64,082 |
| 2016 | 64,396 |
| 2017 | 64,815 |
| 2018 | 64,643 |
| 2019 | 64,608 |
| 2020 | 64,218 |
| 2021 | 55,432 |
| 2022 | 63,016 |
| 2023 | 62,857 |
| 2024 | 62,581 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 65.8% |
| Black or African American | 1.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$111,427
Median Household Income
$54,688
Per Capita Income
5.5%
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$1,180,100
Median Home Value
$2,302
Median Rent
47.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.1%
High School+
57.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
4.8%
Drive Alone
53.0%
Public Transit
19.3%
Work From Home
22.7 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
23.5%
Foreign Born
73.4%
Non-English at Home
2.5%
Veterans
10.9%
With Disability
96.3%
Health Insurance
97.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 32.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 14.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 14.0% |
| Manufacturing | 6.7% |
| Construction | 4.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.8% |
| Information | 3.8% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3.3% |
| Retail Trade | 3.2% |
| Public Administration | 2.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Cruz, California has a population of 60,953 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 152nd-largest city in California.
The median household income in Santa Cruz, California is $111,427, with 5.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Santa Cruz, California is $1,180,100, with median monthly rent at $2,302 and a homeownership rate of 47.7%.
The median age in Santa Cruz, California is 30.7 years. The population is 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
The population has grown 3.3% since 2010 (60,578 → 62,581).
Where to stay in Santa Cruz
Visiting or relocating to Santa Cruz, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.