Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 42 min5:48 am – 8:30 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 37 min7:17 am – 4:54 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People35,607 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 43.315,470 householdsMedian household income $112,106Median home value $1,076,500Median rent $2,427 a month54% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $6,525 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting4.2% unemployment rate68% of adults are in the labour force, 20,447 employedMain industries: education and health care 28%, professional and business services 14%, hospitality, food and recreation 14%Average commute 22 minutes61% drive alone, 8% car-pool, 2% take public transport, 9% walk or cycle, 19% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages50% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher92% finished high school, 21% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 78%, Spanish 14%, other Indo-European languages 2%, Chinese 2%8% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month September: highs 77°F, lows 53°FColdest month December: highs 62°F, lows 41°F31 in of rain a year, on about 45 dayswettest month JanuarySnow is rare6 days above 90°F, 6 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Santa Cruz station, 1 mi away
Nearby landmarksBlack Pointcape · 1.0 miFive Branches Universitycollege · under a mileLincoln Beachbeach · 1.0 miTwin Lakes Beachbeach · 1.0 miMoran Lakelake · 1.4 miSan Lorenzo Riverriver · 1.4 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsTwin Lakes State Beachstate park · under a mile · 68 acresLighthouse Field State Beachstate park · 2.5 miSimpkins Swim Centerrecreation area · under a mileNew Brighton State Beachstate park · 2.9 mi · 76 acresSanta Cruz Mission State Historic Parkstate historic site · 2.1 miDeLaveaga Park & Golf Courserecreation area · 1.2 mi · 552 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes2,190 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970211 of magnitude 4+, 17 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 6.9 on 18 Oct 19897 mi away, The 1989 Loma Prieta, CaliforniaMost recent: magnitude 3.5 on 9 Jul 202647 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively HighSanta Cruz County, CA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsDrought Relatively HighLandslide Relatively HighEarthquake Relatively HighRiver flooding Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality88% of days had good air in 2025320 of 365 days measured45 moderate daysMedian index 35, worst day 71main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, Santa Cruz County monitors, CA
Internet at home96% of households have a broadband subscription83% have cable, fibre or DSL11% rely on a mobile data plan alone2% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterSanta Cruz Water Departmentserves 94,626 people from surface waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation70 ft21 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalDominican Hospital1.2 miPost officeEast Santa Cruz Post Office1.2 miTown hallCapitola City Hall2.0 miPoliceCapitola Police Department2.0 miFire stationCentral Fire Protection District Station 1under a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi16 schools7 elementary, 2 middle, 2 high, 5 otherSchoolThe Bay Schoolunder a mileElementaryLive Oak Elementary Schoolunder a mileSchoolVHM Christian Schoolunder a mileCollegeFive Branches Universityunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportMineta San Jose International Airport SJC27 miInterstateI-28024 miUS highwayUS 10121 miAmtrakCSU-Monterey Bay MYU25 miCoachGilroyLimousine Express23 miTransit114 stops within a mileSanta Cruz METROSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 95062 ZIP area.
