Santa Cruz, CA Demographics

A map of Santa Cruz's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	36,745	36,373	59.6%	57.8%
Hispanic	13,808	15,111	22.4%	24.0%
Asian	6,029	5,222	9.8%	8.3%
Multiracial	3,369	3,918	5.5%	6.2%
Black	931	1,571	1.5%	2.5%
Native American/Other	725	761	1.2%	1.2%

Santa Cruz, California has an estimated population of 61,607, a slight decrease from the 62,956 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 59.6% White, 22.4% Hispanic, 9.8% Asian, 5.5% Multiracial, 1.5% Black, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Santa Cruz, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Santa Cruz has become less racially diverse since 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 Santa Cruz, that probability was 59.7% in 2020 and 58.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Santa Cruz is ranked the 149th 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). Santa Cruz was ranked the 147th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Santa Cruz's White Population

36,745 residents of Santa Cruz, or 59.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Santa Cruz is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Santa Cruz ranks 817th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz's White population has grown by an estimated 1.0%. White residents' share of Santa Cruz's population has increased from 57.8% to 59.6%.

Santa Cruz is more White than neighboring Live Oak (55.8% White). Santa Cruz is less White than neighboring Pasatiempo (83.6% White), Paradise Park (88.3% White), Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (66.7% White), and Pleasure Point (70.4% White).

Santa Cruz's Black Population

931 residents of Santa Cruz, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Santa Cruz is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Santa Cruz ranks 364th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz's Black population has declined by an estimated 40.7%. Black residents' share of Santa Cruz's population has decreased from 2.5% to 1.5%.

Santa Cruz is more Black than neighboring Pasatiempo (0% Black), Paradise Park (0% Black), Live Oak (1.1% Black), and Pleasure Point (0.1% Black). Santa Cruz is less Black than neighboring Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (1.7% Black).

Santa Cruz's Asian Population

6,029 residents of Santa Cruz, or 9.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Santa Cruz is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Santa Cruz ranks 345th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz's Asian population has grown by an estimated 15.5%. Asian residents' share of Santa Cruz's population has increased from 8.3% to 9.8%.

Santa Cruz is more Asian than neighboring Pasatiempo (2.5% Asian), Paradise Park (0% Asian), Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (4.3% Asian), Live Oak (4.7% Asian), and Pleasure Point (2.1% Asian).

Santa Cruz's Hispanic Population

13,808 residents of Santa Cruz, or 22.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Santa Cruz is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Santa Cruz ranks 778th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 8.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Santa Cruz's population has decreased from 24.0% to 22.4%.

Santa Cruz is more Hispanic than neighboring Pasatiempo (7.4% Hispanic), Paradise Park (0% Hispanic), Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (21.1% Hispanic), and Pleasure Point (19.3% Hispanic). Santa Cruz is less Hispanic than neighboring Live Oak (32.9% Hispanic).

Santa Cruz's Native American/Other Population

725 residents of Santa Cruz, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Santa Cruz is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Santa Cruz ranks 822nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Santa Cruz's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Santa Cruz is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pasatiempo (0% Native American/Other), and Pleasure Point (0.7% Native American/Other). Santa Cruz is less Native American/Other than neighboring Paradise Park (1.9% Native American/Other), and Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (1.4% Native American/Other).

Santa Cruz's Multiracial Population

3,369 residents of Santa Cruz, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Santa Cruz is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Santa Cruz ranks 408th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 14.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Santa Cruz's population has decreased from 6.2% to 5.5%.

Santa Cruz is more Multiracial than neighboring Twin Lakes CDP (Santa Cruz County) (4.8% Multiracial), and Live Oak (4.3% Multiracial). Santa Cruz is less Multiracial than neighboring Pasatiempo (6.6% Multiracial), Paradise Park (9.8% Multiracial), and Pleasure Point (7.5% 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.