Capitola, CA Demographics

A map of Capitola's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,154	6,455	63.5%	65.0%
Hispanic	2,571	2,227	26.5%	22.4%
Multiracial	464	573	4.8%	5.8%
Asian	366	477	3.8%	4.8%
Black	105	103	1.1%	1.0%
Native American/Other	29	103	0.3%	1.0%

Capitola, California has an estimated population of 9,689, a slight decrease from the 9,938 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 63.5% White, 26.5% Hispanic, 4.8% Multiracial, 3.8% Asian, 1.1% Black, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Capitola, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Capitola is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Capitola, that probability was 52.2% in 2020 and 52.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Capitola is ranked the 504th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Capitola was ranked the 498th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Capitola's White Population

6,154 residents of Capitola, or 63.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Capitola is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Capitola ranks 669th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitola's White population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. White residents' share of Capitola's population has decreased from 65.0% to 63.5%.

Capitola is more White than neighboring Live Oak (55.8% White). Capitola is less White than neighboring Soquel (72.1% White), Pleasure Point (70.4% White), Seacliff (65.1% White), and Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (66.7% White).

Capitola's Black Population

105 residents of Capitola, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Capitola is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Capitola ranks 708th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitola's Black population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. Black residents' share of Capitola's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Capitola is more Black than neighboring Soquel (0.5% Black), Pleasure Point (0.1% Black), and Seacliff (0.7% Black). Capitola is less Black than neighboring Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (1.7% Black).

Capitola's Asian Population

366 residents of Capitola, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Capitola is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Capitola ranks 489th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitola's Asian population has declined by an estimated 23.3%. Asian residents' share of Capitola's population has decreased from 4.8% to 3.8%.

Capitola is more Asian than neighboring Soquel (3.2% Asian), Pleasure Point (2.1% Asian), and Seacliff (3.3% Asian). Capitola is less Asian than neighboring Live Oak (4.7% Asian), and Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (4.3% Asian).

Capitola's Hispanic Population

2,571 residents of Capitola, or 26.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Capitola is considerably lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Capitola ranks 810th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitola's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 15.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Capitola's population has increased from 22.4% to 26.5%.

Capitola is more Hispanic than neighboring Soquel (19.6% Hispanic), Pleasure Point (19.3% Hispanic), Seacliff (16.1% Hispanic), and Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (21.1% Hispanic). Capitola is less Hispanic than neighboring Live Oak (32.9% Hispanic).

Capitola's Native American/Other Population

29 residents of Capitola, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Capitola is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Capitola ranks 983rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitola's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 71.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Capitola's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.3%.

Capitola is more Native American/Other than neighboring Soquel (0.2% Native American/Other). Capitola is less Native American/Other than neighboring Pleasure Point (0.7% Native American/Other), Live Oak (1.2% Native American/Other), Seacliff (4.8% Native American/Other), and Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (1.4% Native American/Other).

Capitola's Multiracial Population

464 residents of Capitola, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Capitola is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Capitola ranks 529th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitola's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 19.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Capitola's population has decreased from 5.8% to 4.8%.

Capitola is more Multiracial than neighboring Soquel (4.4% Multiracial), and Live Oak (4.3% Multiracial). Capitola is less Multiracial than neighboring Pleasure Point (7.5% Multiracial), and Seacliff (10.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.