Watsonville, CA Demographics

A map of Watsonville's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	42,560	43,303	82.3%	82.3%
White	6,545	6,462	12.7%	12.3%
Asian	1,273	1,458	2.5%	2.8%
Multiracial	747	800	1.4%	1.5%
Native American/Other	375	329	0.7%	0.6%
Black	212	238	0.4%	0.5%

Watsonville, California has an estimated population of 51,712, a slight decrease from the 52,590 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 82.3% Hispanic, 12.7% White, 2.5% Asian, 1.4% Multiracial, 0.7% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Watsonville, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Watsonville 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 Watsonville, that probability was 30.6% in 2020 and 30.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Watsonville is ranked the 182nd 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). Watsonville was ranked the 178th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Watsonville's White Population

6,545 residents of Watsonville, or 12.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Watsonville is significantly lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Watsonville ranks 1408th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watsonville's White population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. White residents' share of Watsonville's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.7%.

Watsonville is more White than neighboring Pajaro (2.4% White). Watsonville is less White than neighboring Freedom (18.4% White), Amesti (44% White), Interlaken (15.4% White), and Pajaro Dunes (100% White).

Watsonville's Black Population

212 residents of Watsonville, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Watsonville is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Watsonville ranks 1096th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watsonville's Black population has declined by an estimated 10.9%. Black residents' share of Watsonville's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Watsonville is more Black than neighboring Amesti (0% Black), and Pajaro Dunes (0% Black). Watsonville is less Black than neighboring Freedom (1.9% Black), and Pajaro (2.3% Black).

Watsonville's Asian Population

1,273 residents of Watsonville, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Watsonville is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Watsonville ranks 687th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watsonville's Asian population has declined by an estimated 12.7%. Asian residents' share of Watsonville's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.5%.

Watsonville is more Asian than neighboring Freedom (1.1% Asian), Pajaro (0.2% Asian), Amesti (0.2% Asian), Interlaken (0.9% Asian), and Pajaro Dunes (0% Asian).

Watsonville's Hispanic Population

42,560 residents of Watsonville, or 82.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Watsonville is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Watsonville ranks 132nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watsonville's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 1.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Watsonville's population has remained roughly unchanged at 82.3%.

Watsonville is more Hispanic than neighboring Freedom (74.2% Hispanic), Amesti (51.9% Hispanic), Interlaken (82.2% Hispanic), and Pajaro Dunes (0% Hispanic). Watsonville is less Hispanic than neighboring Pajaro (95% Hispanic).

Watsonville's Native American/Other Population

375 residents of Watsonville, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Watsonville is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Watsonville ranks 1350th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watsonville's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 14.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Watsonville's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Watsonville is more Native American/Other than neighboring Freedom (0.1% Native American/Other), Pajaro (0% Native American/Other), Amesti (0% Native American/Other), Interlaken (0.2% Native American/Other), and Pajaro Dunes (0% Native American/Other).

Watsonville's Multiracial Population

747 residents of Watsonville, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Watsonville is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Watsonville ranks 1393rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watsonville's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Watsonville's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

Watsonville is more Multiracial than neighboring Pajaro (0% Multiracial), Interlaken (0.9% Multiracial), and Pajaro Dunes (0% Multiracial). Watsonville is less Multiracial than neighboring Freedom (4.3% Multiracial), and Amesti (3.9% 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.