Santa Cruz County Population Charts

According to the most recent Santa Cruz County California demographics data available from the 2022 Census Bureau released in the American Community Survey in November of 2022, Figure 1 Santa Cruz County depicts it has a Population 2021 of 272,138 which is the second smallest when sorted by population of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest population in the area is Santa Clara County which shows a population of 1,932,022 ( considerably bigger). Figure 3 uses the Santa Cruz County population data for a comparison of the population growth/population change estimates from the years 2010 to 2021 and Santa Cruz County California depicts an increase of 9,756 (4%).

The total Santa Cruz County California greater area population percent change for all areas for the years from 2010 to 2021 is shown in Figure 4 and for Santa Cruz County shows it has a Population Change of 3.7% which is the smallest when sorted by population percent change of all the other counties in the metro area.

Looking at the Santa Cruz County population density (measured as people per square mile) and providing comparisons to both the national and state average population density in Figure 5, Santa Cruz County California depicts it has 611 people per square mile which is the second smallest when sorted by population density of all the other counties in the metro area. The next higher in terms of population density is Santa Clara County approximately 2.4 times bigger with population density of 1,497. The county with the highest population density in the area is San Francisco County which shows a people per square mile of 18,466 ( markedly bigger). Figure 6 provides Santa Cruz County demographics for the overall median age for all people in the region and Santa Cruz County shows it has a Median Age of 38.5 which is in the middle range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest overall median age of all people in the area is San Mateo County which shows an age of 40.0 (only about 3.9% larger). The Santa Cruz County California population data for median age broken out by gender for both men versus the median age of women is shown in Figure 7. Santa Cruz County California shows a median age of men only about 4.8% smaller as the median age of women.

The next demographic analysis (Figure 8) looks at large generational Santa Cruz County population groups (and can be useful internet research for employment related research or identifying areas with retirees). Key findings in this chart includes that Santa Cruz County California has the largest proportion of people less than 20 years of age at 16.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people between 20 and 29 years old at 11.5% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people between 30 and 39 years old at 12.0% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of people between 50 and 59 yeasr old at 12.5% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 9 illustrates the overall diversity breakdown for Santa Cruz County population and ethnicity groups in the area. (note: Hispanic/Latino is broken out separately in the next diagram and also the group denoted as Native ethnicity includes Native American, and Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.) Santa Cruz County California has the percentage of Black population the second smallest in order of people who are white of all the other counties in the metro area at 4.9% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of Native population at 24.5% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Benito County with 31.8%. Figure 10 shows the Santa Cruz County California Hispanic (including non Hispanic whites) population household ethnicity in the region and Santa Cruz County depicts it has a Hispanic or Latino of 34.0% which is the second most Hispanic Population of all the counties in the greater Santa Cruz County region. Figure 11 compares the ratio of the amount of men to the amount of women and depicts total male population about the same size as the total female population.

Santa Cruz County Marital Status and Families Charts

Figure 12 shows the detailed marriage characteristics broken down by %residents who are married, never married, single, divorced, and widowed. Santa Cruz County has the largest proportion of never married percent at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of percent divorced at 4% of the total. Figure 14 compares the average household size using the average number of people in a family for Santa Cruz County households. Santa Cruz County depicts it has a Family Size of 3.4 which is the second smallest when sorted by average family size of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average family size in the area is San Benito County which indicates an average family size of 3.8 (13.2% larger).

Figure 15 shows the overall ratio of Santa Cruz County households for families to the total number of Santa Cruz County households and that Santa Cruz County shows it has a Families of 63% which is the second smallest in terms of percent of people who are in a family of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest percent of people who are in a family in the area is San Benito County which depicts a families percent of 79% (25.3% larger).

Looking at Santa Cruz County households that are headed by a husband and wife as a percent of all families in Figure 16, Santa Cruz County shows it has a Married-couple family of 77% which is the third most husband and wife family percent of all other counties in the greater Santa Cruz County region. The county with the highest percent of people in a husband and wife family in the area is San Mateo County which shows a husband and wife family percent of 79% (only about 3.2% larger).

Santa Cruz County Mothers and Children Charts

The next section of charts provide a detailed look at mothers and baby births that occurred over the past 12 months. Figure 18 shows the rate of women aged 15 to 50 years old who have given birth. Santa Cruz County shows it has a Birth Rate of 4.3% which is the second smallest when ranked by percent of women who gave birth of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest percent of women who gave birth in the area is San Benito County which shows a birth rate of 6.7% (54.8% larger). Figure 19 shows the breakdown of the mother's age for all baby births that occurred in the last 12 months and has the smallest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 at 3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 20 to 24 at 24% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 25 to 29 at 24% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 35 to 39 at 14% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 20, the demographic data for Santa Cruz County California teenager birth rate is shown (women between the ages of 15 and 19.) Santa Cruz County indicates it has a Teenager Birth Rate of 3% which is more than all other counties in the greater Santa Cruz County region.

In Figure 21, the percentage of all births in the last 12 months to mothers that were unmarried is shown (unwed mothers.) Santa Cruz County shows it has a Unwed Births of 30% which is the second most percent of unwed women who have given birth of all the counties in the greater Santa Cruz County region. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth in the area is San Benito County which shows an unwed mother birth rate of 30% ( about the same size).

The next chart, Figure 22, shows the percentage of unwed mothers who are also on public assistance. Santa Cruz County depicts it has a Unwed birth and on public assistance of 12.2% which is the third most percent of unwed women who gave birth and are on public assistance of all other counties in the greater Santa Cruz County region. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth and are on public assistance in the area is Contra Costa County which depicts a percent of unwed women who gave birth and are on public assistance of 16.2% (32.9% larger).

Unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are also shown broken down by age group in Figure 24. Santa Cruz County California has the percentage of unwed mothers aged 15 to 19 in the center range of other counties in the local area at 62.9% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by percent of unwed births to mothers aged 15 to 19 years old of all the other counties in the local area in terms of unwed mothers aged 20 to 34 at 25.9% of the total. Figure 25 shows the comparative demographic rate of unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are broken down by racial group (including the Hispanic birth rate.) Santa Cruz County California has the largest proportion of Black unwed birth rate at 42.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest when ranked by White unwed birth rate of all the other counties in the greater region in order of Hispanic unwed birth rate at 2.4% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of Native Hawaiian unwed birth rate at 100.0% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 26 shows unwed mothers in poverty (based on median household income definition) who have given birth in the last 12 months. Santa Cruz County California has the smallest proportion of unwed births and living below poverty level at 7.4% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of unwed births and living between 100% and 199% of poverty level at 42.8% of the total.

For all births to unwed mothers, Figure 27 breaks down the education level of the mother by less than high school through college and post graduate attainment has the smallest proportion of percent of unwed mothers with less than high school education at 17% of the total. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the local area when ranked by percent of unwed mothers who are a high school graduate or equivalent at 35% of the total.

Santa Cruz County Marital Status Charts

The next set of demographic data looks at the marital status for Santa Cruz County households which is useful for internet research. Figure 28 compares the total number of single people in each area. Santa Cruz County depicts it has a Total Single People of 54% which is the second most percent single people of all the counties in the greater Santa Cruz County region. The county with the highest percent of people who are single for any reason in the area is San Francisco County which depicts a percent single of 58% (8.6% larger). Comparing percent of people who are single for any reason to the United States average of 50%, Santa Cruz County is 7.4% larger. Also, measured against the state of California, percent of people who are single for any reason of 51%, Santa Cruz County is only about 5.1% larger.

Figure 30 compares the single people in each area broken down by never married, divorced, and widowed. Santa Cruz County California has the largest proportion of percent never married at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of percent divorced at 4% of the total. Figure 31 shows the demographics for the number of single men adults in each area broken out by never married, divorced and widowed. Santa Cruz County California has the largest proportion of men who have never been married at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 32 shows the number of single women adults in each area broken out by never married, divorced and widowed. Santa Cruz County California has the largest proportion of women who have never been married at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of women who are divorced at 6% of the total.

Figure 33 shows the Santa Cruz County demographics for the ratio of the number of single men between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Santa Cruz County metro area. Santa Cruz County California has the smallest proportion of single men 18 to 24 at 16% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of single men 25 to 29 at 9% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of single men 30 to 34 at 7% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of single men 35 to 39 at 5% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of single men 40 to 44 at 5% of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of single men 45 to 49 at 11% of the total.

Figure 34 shows the Santa Cruz County population data for the ratio of the number of single women between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Santa Cruz County metro area. Santa Cruz County California has the smallest proportion of single women 18 to 24 at 13% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of single women 25 to 29 at 8% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of single women 30 to 34 at 5% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of single women 35 to 39 at 6% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of single women 40 to 44 at 6% of the total.

Santa Cruz County Citizenship Demographics Charts

The next section of demographic information provides detailed data Santa Cruz County residents including: immigrants, citizenship, immigration, country of origin, non citizens and more. To start, Figure 35 shows a high level view of citizenship. Santa Cruz County California has the smallest proportion of citizens born In US at 8% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of citizens by naturalization at 10% of the total.

In Figure 37, the demographic percentage of Santa Cruz County residents who were not born in the United States is shown (i.e. percent foreign born.) Santa Cruz County shows it has a Percent Foreign Born of 17.8% which is the smallest when ranked by percent of population who was born in another country of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of population who was born in another country in the area is Santa Clara County which depicts a percent born outside United States of 39.9% (approximately 2.2 times bigger). Comparing percent of population who was born in another country to the United States average of 13.6%, Santa Cruz County is 31.1% larger. Also, in contrast to the state of California, percent of population who was born in another country of 26.5%, Santa Cruz County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 39 provides a detailed analysis of non citizens by breaking them into two age groups: Under 18 and over the age of 18. Santa Cruz County California shows a percent of non citizens under 18 years old only about 3.9% the size as the percent of non citizens over 18 years old. Figure 40 provides further information for non citizen age by showing a comparison of the median age for all non citizens immigrants. it has a Non Citizen Median Age of 42.0 which is the second most median age of non citizens of all the counties in the greater Santa Cruz County region. The county with the highest median age of non citizens in the area is San Benito County which depicts a median age of 42.2 ( about the same size). The next diagram (Figure 41) shows the year of entry that non citizens entered the United States. The year of entry can show the rate of flow at various points of time in the past for when they entered the U.S. has the percentage of non citizens who entered the US after 2010 the second smallest when sorted by percent of non citizens who entered the US after 2010 of all the other counties in the local area at 24% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of non citizens who entered the US between 1990 to 1999 at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of non citizens who entered the US before 1990 at 26% of the total and is ranked #1.

For all foreign born people who have gone through naturalization (the process of becoming a legal U.S. resident citizen), Figure 42 shows the year when they became fully naturalized U.S. citizens. it has the largest proportion of people naturalized 2015 or later at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people naturalized 2010 to 2014 at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people naturalized 1990 to 1994 at 5% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people naturalized before 1990 at 17% of the total.

Santa Cruz County Birthplace Demographic Charts

Figure 43 displays a map of the globe and shows Santa Cruz County demographic information for large regions of the world that people from this place originally came from. Santa Cruz County California has the largest proportion of from Europe at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest in order of percent of people born in Europe of all the other counties in the local area when ranked by from Asia at 17% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of from Africa at 1% of the total. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of from the Americas at 67% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Benito County with 82%.

Figure 44 categorizes the location for where foreign born people originally come from based on very large continental geographic areas. Santa Cruz County California has the percentage of from Europe the second smallest when ranked by percent of people born in Europe of all the other counties in the greater region at 17% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of from Asia at 1% of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of from Oceania at 67% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Benito County with 82%.

Figure 45 is a table that breaks out all the people who were foreign born by which large geographic region where they were born. Santa Cruz County California has the largest proportion of people who were born in Northern Europe at 4.7% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Western Europe at 4.2% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Southern Europe at 2.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who were born in South East Asia at 4.1% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Western Asia at 2.7% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of people who were born in North Africa at 0.1% of the total. Next it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Southern Africa at 0.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, it has the smallest proportion of people who were born in Western Africa at 0.1% of the total. And then, it has one of the largest proportions of people who were born in Central America at 61.1% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Benito County with 78.6%. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in North America at 3.0% of the total and is ranked #1.