Scotts Valley, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Scotts Valley, California is 12,138 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 451st-largest city in California. The median household income is $140,887, the median home value is $1,092,000, and the median age is 47.8.
The population has grown 2.1% since 2010 (11,581 → 11,828).
12,138
Population
2628
People / sq mi
$140,887
Median Income
$1,092,000
Median Home Value
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Scotts Valley covers 4.6 sq mi of land at 2628 people per square mile.
About Scotts Valley, CA
The poverty rate is what most separates Scotts Valley from the typical city: 0.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Scotts Valley is a city in California with a population of 12,138.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $140,887, above the US median of $78,538. Hardship is rare relative to US cities: a poverty rate of just 0.7%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $1,092,000, with typical rent around $2,362.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US cities — 54.4% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is widespread — 24.5% of workers stay home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
Scotts Valley city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Scotts Valley city had a population of 11,581 in 2010 and 11,828 in 2024, a 2.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 12,223 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.16%.
11,828
Population (2024)
11,581
Population (2010)
12,223
Peak (2020)
0.16%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 11,581 |
| 2011 | 11,621 |
| 2012 | 11,653 |
| 2013 | 11,743 |
| 2014 | 11,828 |
| 2015 | 11,907 |
| 2016 | 11,910 |
| 2017 | 11,891 |
| 2018 | 11,817 |
| 2019 | 11,757 |
| 2020 | 12,223 |
| 2021 | 12,177 |
| 2022 | 12,033 |
| 2023 | 11,909 |
| 2024 | 11,828 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 79.3% |
| Black or African American | 0.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$140,887
Median Household Income
$79,348
Per Capita Income
0.7%
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$1,092,000
Median Home Value
$2,362
Median Rent
72.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.3%
High School+
54.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.4%
Drive Alone
66.7%
Public Transit
24.5%
Work From Home
24.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
25.1%
Foreign Born
87.0%
Non-English at Home
4.5%
Veterans
10.9%
With Disability
96.3%
Health Insurance
99.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 15.3% |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% |
| Public Administration | 10.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 7.0% |
| Retail Trade | 4.9% |
| Information | 4.4% |
| Construction | 4.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.2% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.5% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Scotts Valley, California has a population of 12,138 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 451st-largest city in California.
The median household income in Scotts Valley, California is $140,887, with 0.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Scotts Valley, California is $1,092,000, with median monthly rent at $2,362 and a homeownership rate of 72.5%.
The median age in Scotts Valley, California is 47.8 years. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
The population has grown 2.1% since 2010 (11,581 → 11,828).
Where to stay in Scotts Valley
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.