Santa Cruz County, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 25th-largest in California
The population of Santa Cruz County, California is 266,021 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 25th-largest county in California. The median household income is $109,266, the median home value is $1,015,200, and the median age is 39.6.
The population of Santa Cruz County has declined 0.3% since 2010 (263,174 → 262,406), a -0.02% annualized rate.
266,021
Population
-0.02%
Annual growth
598
People / sq mi
$109,266
Median Income
$1,015,200
Median Home Value
Santa Cruz County covers 445 sq mi of land at 597.7 people per square mile.
About Santa Cruz County, CA
Housing cost is the defining feature of Santa Cruz County: the median home is valued at $1,015,200. Santa Cruz County is a county in California with a population of 266,021. It ranks #25 among counties in California by population.
Income is a real outlier — the median household pulls in $109,266, putting Santa Cruz County near the top of US counties. Poverty is relatively low for US counties at 5.8%, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $1,015,200, with typical rent around $2,172.
Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US counties: 43.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. An unusually large 17.6% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Santa Cruz County — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Santa Cruz County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Santa Cruz County had a population of 263,174 in 2010 and 262,406 in 2024, a -0.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 274,865 in 2017. Average annual growth rate: -0.01%.
262,406
Population (2024)
263,174
Population (2010)
274,865
Peak (2017)
-0.01%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 263,174 |
| 2011 | 264,927 |
| 2012 | 266,391 |
| 2013 | 268,836 |
| 2014 | 270,863 |
| 2015 | 273,495 |
| 2016 | 274,476 |
| 2017 | 274,865 |
| 2018 | 273,713 |
| 2019 | 272,870 |
| 2020 | 271,768 |
| 2021 | 260,904 |
| 2022 | 265,851 |
| 2023 | 263,699 |
| 2024 | 262,406 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 62.8% |
| Black or African American | 1.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Age & Sex
39.6
Median Age
50.1%
Female
49.9%
Male
18.4%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 15.2% · Seniors (65+): 18.4%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $109,266+$12,932 vs state |
| Mean household income | $153,085 |
| Per-capita income | $55,717 |
| Poverty rate | 5.8%-2.6% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% |
| Employment-to-population | 59.9% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Santa Cruz County is professional & business services, accounting for 25.1% of workers.
How residents commute
1.9%
Drive alone
4.3%
Carpool
63.4%
Public transit
17.6%
Work from home
26.6 min
Avg commute
Housing
$1,015,200+$319,800 vs state
Median home value
$2,172
Median rent
60.0%
Homeownership rate
106,635
Total housing units
90.8%
Occupied
9.2%
Vacant
40.0%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
94.7%
With health insurance
96.7%
With broadband internet
19.5%
Foreign-born
4.0%
Veterans (18+)
11.2%
With a disability
67.4%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
88.5%
High School+
43.6%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in California
Other counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Cruz County, California has a population of 266,021 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 25th-largest county in California. Population density is 598 people per square mile.
The population of Santa Cruz County has declined 0.3% since 2010 (263,174 → 262,406), a -0.02% annualized rate.
The median household income in Santa Cruz County, California is $109,266, with mean (average) household income of $153,085 and per-capita income of $55,717. 5.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Santa Cruz County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (62.8%), Hispanic or Latino (3.0%), Black or African American (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Santa Cruz County, California is 39.6 years. Residents are 50.1% female and 49.9% male.
The median home value in Santa Cruz County is $1,015,200 and median monthly rent is $2,172. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 106,635 total housing units, 9.2% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Santa Cruz County, California is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 25.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.6%.
Los Angeles is among the largest cities associated with Santa Cruz County, California, with a population of 3,857,897.
More from California
Population 9,848,406
Population 3,282,782
Population 3,164,063
Population 2,449,909
Full rankings of California counties
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.