Santa Cruz County, California
Santa Cruz County, California, has 258,852 residents (July 2025 estimate). Its county seat is Santa Cruz. It uses Pacific Time and covers 445 sq mi (1,153 km²) of land.
- Resident population, July 2025
- 258,852
- Land area
- 445 sq mi (1,153 km²)
- County seat or government
- Santa Cruz
- Time zone
- Pacific TimeUTC-08:00 in January; UTC-07:00 in July
- Median household income
- $111,093 ± $2,734
- Median home value
- $1,027,500 ± $15,133
- Median rent, with utilities
- $2,264 ± $51
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 59.9% ± 1.1 points
- County type
- County
- Metro or micro area
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro areaCentral county
- Water area
- 162 sq mi (420 km²)
- State
- California
- County code (FIPS)
- 06087
- Coordinates (central point)
- 37.012347, -122.007789
These coordinates mark a central point for the area, not a street address. Income, home value, rent and homes lived in by their owners: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, ± margin at 90% confidence; checked on October 13, 2026.
Time zones in Santa Cruz County
| Time zone | Local time and UTC offset | Next clock change |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific TimeAmerica/Los_Angeles | UTC-08:00 in January; UTC-07:00 in July. Enable JavaScript for the live clock. | Enable JavaScript for upcoming changes. |
Near a time-zone line, check where you are with the time-zone finder. Your phone’s setting can differ.
ZIP Code areas, largest first
- 9507682,806 people
- 9506046,268 people
- 9506235,607 people
- 9500324,951 people
- 9506615,135 people
- 9507311,639 people
- 9506410,168 people
- 950339,600 people
- 950108,707 people
- 950657,997 people
- 950067,561 people
- 950057,277 people
17 ZIP Code areas overlap Santa Cruz County. People counts are 2020–2024 estimates for each whole ZIP area. Mailing ZIPs can differ; check an address with USPS ZIP Code Lookup.
Official county information
Santa Cruz County government website ↗ is the next stop for county offices, tax, voting, jury and records information. A geographic lookup cannot determine eligibility, tax liability or a court obligation.
School districts in Santa Cruz County, largest first
- Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District108,605 people
- Santa Cruz City Elementary School District64,357 people
- Santa Cruz City High School District (6-12)64,357 people
- Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union School District56,268 people
- Santa Cruz City High School District (9-12)49,685 people
- Soquel Elementary School District27,063 people
- Live Oak Elementary School District22,622 people
- San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District22,350 people
- Scotts Valley Unified School District17,815 people
- Aromas-San Juan Unified School District8,706 people
- Santa Cruz City High School District7,253 people
- Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District4,810 people
All 17
- Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District3,617 people
- Lakeside Joint Elementary School District1,963 people
- Mountain Elementary School District1,632 people
- Happy Valley Elementary School District1,388 people
- Pacific Elementary School District616 people
Districts with land in the county; a district can cross county lines. People counts are American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. A district boundary doesn’t decide which school a student attends.
Cities, towns and communities, largest first
These areas overlap the mapped boundary; an overlap does not mean that every address belongs to both.
- Santa Cruz, California (city)61,607 people
- Watsonville, California (city)51,712 people
- Live Oak, California (CDP)16,911 people
- Scotts Valley, California (city)12,044 people
- Soquel, California (CDP)10,679 people
- Capitola, California (city)9,689 people
- Rio del Mar, California (CDP)9,201 people
- Interlaken, California (CDP)8,068 people
- Ben Lomond, California (CDP)6,858 people
- Aptos, California (CDP)6,404 people
- Pleasure Point, California (CDP)5,489 people
- Twin Lakes, Santa Cruz County, California (CDP)5,073 people
All 30
- Boulder Creek, California (CDP)4,632 people
- Felton, California (CDP)4,093 people
- Day Valley, California (CDP)3,579 people
- Seacliff, California (CDP)3,299 people
- Freedom, California (CDP)3,172 people
- Bonny Doon, California (CDP)3,149 people
- Amesti, California (CDP)2,818 people
- La Selva Beach, California (CDP)2,302 people
- Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, California (CDP)2,127 people
- Corralitos, California (CDP)1,884 people
- Brookdale, California (CDP)1,378 people
- Mount Hermon, California (CDP)939 people
- Lompico, California (CDP)788 people
- Pasatiempo, California (CDP)610 people
- Paradise Park, California (CDP)470 people
- Davenport, California (CDP)403 people
- Zayante, California (CDP)399 people
- Pajaro Dunes, California (CDP)143 people
Bordering areas, nearest first
Distances are straight lines between map points.
- Santa Clara County, California23 mi northeast
- San Mateo County, California34 mi northwest
- San Benito County, California58 mi southeast
- Monterey County, California66 mi southeast
Before using this answer on a form
Use a precise point for address-level questions. A device accuracy circle can cross a boundary; confirm tax, voting or jury details with the responsible office.
Find the county where you are now, check its ZIP area, or check the time zone where you are.
Areas that only touch the edge
These areas meet the boundary only along a sliver. Most addresses here are not in them; for an address near the line, check with the county.