Santa Cruz County Demographics

A map of Santa Cruz County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	40,367	39,632	82.5%	83.1%
White	7,468	7,119	15.3%	14.9%
Multiracial	602	292	1.2%	0.6%
Native American/Other	281	241	0.6%	0.5%
Asian	143	271	0.3%	0.6%
Black	65	114	0.1%	0.2%

Santa Cruz County, Arizona has an estimated population of 48,926, a slight increase from the 47,669 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 82.5% Hispanic, 15.3% White, 1.2% Multiracial, 0.6% Native American/Other, 0.3% Asian, and 0.1% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Santa Cruz County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Santa Cruz has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Arizona 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 County, that probability was 28.6% in 2020 and 29.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Santa Cruz County is ranked the 12th most populous county in Arizona, out of 15 counties. Santa Cruz County was ranked the 12th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Santa Cruz County's White Population

7,468 residents of Santa Cruz County, or 15.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Santa Cruz County is significantly lower than in Arizona overall, where 52.6% of the population is White. Santa Cruz County ranks 15th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 15 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz County's White population has grown by an estimated 4.9%. White residents' share of Santa Cruz County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 15.3%.

Santa Cruz County is less White than neighboring Pima County (50.5% White), Cochise County (54.1% White), Pinal County (54.9% White), Graham County (52.7% White), and Hidalgo County (38.1% White).

Santa Cruz County's Black Population

65 residents of Santa Cruz County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Santa Cruz County is slightly lower than in Arizona overall, where 4.4% of the population is Black. Santa Cruz County ranks 15th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 15 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz County's Black population has declined by an estimated 43.0%. Black residents' share of Santa Cruz County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Santa Cruz County is more Black than neighboring Hidalgo County (0% Black). Santa Cruz County is less Black than neighboring Pima County (3.3% Black), Cochise County (2.9% Black), Pinal County (5.1% Black), and Graham County (1.6% Black).

Santa Cruz County's Asian Population

143 residents of Santa Cruz County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Santa Cruz County is slightly lower than in Arizona overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Santa Cruz County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 15 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 47.2%. Asian residents' share of Santa Cruz County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Santa Cruz County is less Asian than neighboring Pima County (2.9% Asian), Cochise County (1.9% Asian), Pinal County (1.6% Asian), Graham County (0.5% Asian), and Hidalgo County (1% Asian).

Santa Cruz County's Hispanic Population

40,367 residents of Santa Cruz County, or 82.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Santa Cruz County is significantly higher than in Arizona overall, where 31.4% of the population is Hispanic. Santa Cruz County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 15 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Santa Cruz County's population has decreased from 83.1% to 82.5%.

Santa Cruz County is more Hispanic than neighboring Pima County (36.4% Hispanic), Cochise County (34.7% Hispanic), Pinal County (29.8% Hispanic), Graham County (30.8% Hispanic), and Hidalgo County (57% Hispanic).

Santa Cruz County's Native American/Other Population

281 residents of Santa Cruz County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Santa Cruz County is slightly lower than in Arizona overall, where 3.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Santa Cruz County ranks 15th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 15 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 16.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Santa Cruz County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Santa Cruz County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Pima County (2.5% Native American/Other), Cochise County (1.3% Native American/Other), Pinal County (4.2% Native American/Other), and Graham County (8.7% Native American/Other).

Santa Cruz County's Multiracial Population

602 residents of Santa Cruz County, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Santa Cruz County is slightly lower than in Arizona overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Santa Cruz County ranks 15th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 15 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Cruz County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 106.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Santa Cruz County's population has increased from 0.6% to 1.2%.

Santa Cruz County is less Multiracial than neighboring Pima County (4.3% Multiracial), Cochise County (5.2% Multiracial), Pinal County (4.3% Multiracial), Graham County (5.7% Multiracial), and Hidalgo County (3.4% 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.