Population 17,224 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Live Oak
Household size in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.63 | 2.42 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.69 | 2.54 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.60 | 2.49 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.45 | 2.45 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.18 | +0.03 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Live Oak run small, averaging 2.45 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.63, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.1 | 36.2 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.2 | 36.5 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.3 | 38.3 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.2 | 38.6 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.1 | +2.5 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Live Oak is 43.2 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.1, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 10.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 9.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.6% | 8.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −6.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Live Oak (10.6%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. Locally, though, single parents are more common here than in Santa Cruz as a whole (8.1%). The single-parent share has fallen 6.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Live Oak
Renters in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.0% | 49.4% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 39.4% | 50.1% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.1% | 47.8% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 41.8% | 47.0% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −2.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over four in ten households in Live Oak rent their homes (41.8%), above the national share of 34.8%. Still, renters make up a smaller share here than in Santa Cruz overall (47.0%). Among homeowners, 39.9% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 0.7 points, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 9.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 10.8% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 10.2% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 9.3% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Live Oak than nationally: 8.0%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Santa Cruz as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 1.0 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1966 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1969 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1970 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1971 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Live Oak are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1978, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in Santa Cruz overall, where the median home dates to 1971. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,241 | $1,390 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,522 | $1,536 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,918 | $1,886 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,687 | $2,418 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,447 | +$1,028 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Live Oak pays $2,687 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,447 a month from 2006–10, a 117% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 31.5% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Live Oak
Bachelor's degrees in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.3% | 48.2% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.5% | 47.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.2% | 51.1% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 39.7% | 53.3% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Live Oak than nationally: 39.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Even so, the share is lower than in Santa Cruz overall (53.3%). The share with a degree has risen 6.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.2% | 90.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.4% | 92.3% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.4% | 93.4% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.8% | 93.8% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Live Oak is close to the national rate: 87.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Santa Cruz overall (93.8%). The share with a diploma has risen 4.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Live Oak
| Period | Live Oak | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 9.3% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 8.0% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −3.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Live Oak runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.4 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Live Oak compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak | 2.45 | 43.2 | 10.6% | 41.8% | 8.0% | 1978 | $2,687 | 39.7% | 87.8% | 4.2% |
| Central Santa Cruz | 2.35 | 33.2 | 9.1% | 70.8% | 10.1% | 1973 | $2,230 | 50.6% | 93.8% | 7.1% |
| Westside | 2.70 | 29.2 | 6.6% | 46.9% | 10.5% | 1973 | $2,328 | 59.5% | 96.8% | 10.1% |
| Almaden Valley | 2.97 | 45.7 | 5.5% | 20.1% | 3.0% | 1976 | $3,390 | 70.1% | 95.4% | 3.7% |
| Cambrian Park | 2.84 | 40.6 | 8.7% | 34.9% | 4.9% | 1968 | $2,893 | 58.2% | 94.3% | 5.0% |
| Santa Teresa | 2.97 | 38.0 | 11.9% | 33.8% | 2.6% | 1986 | $3,003 | 51.8% | 92.8% | 4.1% |
| Blossom Valley | 2.98 | 39.7 | 10.4% | 37.7% | 4.0% | 1977 | $2,889 | 44.9% | 88.2% | 5.2% |
| Willow Glen | 2.65 | 39.9 | 10.2% | 47.8% | 6.3% | 1967 | $2,762 | 52.4% | 89.2% | 3.7% |
| West San Jose | 2.76 | 40.2 | 8.0% | 48.7% | 8.2% | 1968 | $2,894 | 62.2% | 92.8% | 4.9% |
| Edenvale-Seven Trees | 3.93 | 38.1 | 13.9% | 40.2% | 4.1% | 1973 | $2,530 | 22.4% | 71.9% | 5.0% |
| Garden-Villa Montery | 3.63 | 36.0 | 14.4% | 30.5% | 3.0% | 1983 | $2,320 | 25.5% | 65.3% | 6.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Arden Heights, Staten Island, NY · Grogan's Mill, The Woodlands, TX · Overlake, Bellevue, WA · Merrifield, Fairfax, VA · Langley Park, Hyattsville, MD · Lake View, Paterson, NJ · Koreatown, Palisades Park, NJ · Kamms Corner, Cleveland, OH · Jefferson Park, Los Angeles, CA · Hyde Park-Brookwood-Southern Hills, Shreveport, LA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Live Oak. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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