Santa Cruz County Public RecordsCalifornia

Santa Cruz County, CA, has over 170,000 registered voters as of 2024, with 56% Democrats, 16% Republicans, and 22% No Party Preference. Elections include local, state, and federal contests, plus ballot measures. In the 2020 presidential election, 76% voted for Biden and 21% for Trump. Polling locations include 17 in-person voting centers and 19 secure ballot drop boxes. Key issues are housing affordability, environmental protection, and homelessness. The County Clerk oversees administration. Voter turnout often exceeds 75%.

Santa Cruz County, CA hosts 15 public high schools and several private options, serving around 18,000 high school students. About 44% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, exceeding California’s average. School safety ratings are generally above 7/10. The county emphasizes diverse educational programs, from STEM to arts, and offers adult education centers such as Santa Cruz Adult School. Local schools, such as Pacific Collegiate Charter, rank in the top 100 nationwide. Educational support services and after-school programs are widely available, reflecting the community’s strong commitment to academic excellence and lifelong learning.

As of 2023, Santa Cruz County, CA has an employment rate of approximately 57.2%. Key industries include educational services and healthcare (23.5%), retail trade (10.6%), and accommodation and food services (9.5%). Most common occupations are management, business, science, and arts (36.9%). About 76% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 28 minutes. While 62% work within the county, 38% commute elsewhere, mainly to Santa Clara County. Unemployment stands around 5.2%, slightly above the state average.

Santa Cruz County, CA, has a homeownership rate of around 60%, with a median home price near $1.1 million as of early 2024. Median rent is approximately $3,200/month. Property values have remained strong, increasing about 4% year-over-year. Housing types range from beachfront cottages and suburban homes to apartments, mainly in neighborhoods like Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, and Scotts Valley. Property tax rates average 1.1% of assessed value. Renting remains common due to high home prices, with supply limited and competition significant, especially for family homes and oceanfront properties.

Santa Cruz County, CA, reported a crime rate of 30.9 per 1,000 residents in 2023, higher than the California average of 25.6. The violent crime rate is 4.2, while property crime stands at 26.7, both exceeding state and national averages. Santa Cruz city, in particular, experiences the highest rates in the county. Crime statistics are reported by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments, with annual data publicly available via the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. Ongoing community safety initiatives aim to reduce these numbers through prevention and outreach programs.

As of 2022, Santa Cruz County, CA, has approximately 271,000 residents. The median age is 39.5 years, with 49.8% male and 50.2% female. Racial/ethnic composition includes 55% White (non-Hispanic), 35% Hispanic/Latino, 4% Asian, 1% Black/African American, and 5% multiracial or other groups. About 18% are under 18, while 17% are aged 65+.