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).
Santa Cruz city, CA Climate
Santa Cruz city, CA has an average annual temperature of 14.1°C (57°F) and receives about 781 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is December. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
14.1°C
Avg Temp
781
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Dec
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10° / 51° | 166 mm |
| February | 11° / 52° | 145 mm |
| March | 12° / 54° | 125 mm |
| April | 13° / 56° | 50 mm |
| May | 15° / 59° | 14 mm |
| June | 17° / 62° | 4 mm |
| July | 18° / 64° | 3 mm |
| August | 18° / 64° | 3 mm |
| September | 18° / 64° | 10 mm |
| October | 16° / 60° | 38 mm |
| November | 12° / 54° | 108 mm |
| December | 10° / 50° | 115 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Santa Cruz city, CA
The most comfortable months to visit Santa Cruz city, CA are typically August, July and September, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 25°C high). The coldest is December (near 4°C low). January is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Santa Cruz
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.