Population 48,926 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Santa Cruz County
Household size in Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.87 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.12 | 2.84 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.93 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.94 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.93 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Santa Cruz County are large by national standards, averaging 2.94 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.87, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Arizona's 15 counties, only two have larger households.
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 Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.2 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.3 | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.6 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.2 | 40.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
At 39.2, the median age in Santa Cruz County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.2, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.3% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.1% | 12.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Santa Cruz County: 16.9% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only one other Arizona county has a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Santa Cruz County
Renters in Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.0% | 32.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 34.9% | 36.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.3% | 35.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 30.7% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Santa Cruz County own their homes; 30.7% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 40.5% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the south and least common in the center. The renter share is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.8% | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.8% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −19.8 pts | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Santa Cruz County is close to the national rate: 10.0% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Vacancy has fallen 19.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Arizona counties have a lower vacancy rate: only two of 15.
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 Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1986 | 1987 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1988 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1989 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Santa Cruz County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1990, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1986 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the south has the oldest housing.
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 Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $760 | $1,043 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $689 | $1,078 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $799 | $1,227 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $997 | $1,736 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$237 | +$694 | +$606 |
Rent in Santa Cruz County runs $997 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $237 a month from 2006–10, a 31% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.0% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the southeast.
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 Santa Cruz County
Bachelor's degrees in Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.8% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.8% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.5% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Santa Cruz County: 22.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 4.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the south.
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 Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.2% | 84.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 73.1% | 85.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.9% | 86.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 76.2% | 89.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly a quarter of adults in Santa Cruz County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 76.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.0 points, mirroring the country. Santa Cruz County has the lowest share of high school graduates of any Arizona county.
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 Santa Cruz County
| Period | Santa Cruz County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Santa Cruz County: 12.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Santa Cruz County has the highest unemployment rate of any Arizona county. Unemployment is up 1.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Santa Cruz County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz County | 2.94 | 39.2 | 16.9% | 30.7% | 10.0% | 1990 | $997 | 22.0% | 76.2% | 12.6% |
| Hudspeth County | 3.60 | 40.0 | 16.6% | 26.4% | 22.2% | 1981 | $785 | 10.0% | 57.9% | 9.3% |
| Reeves County | 2.72 | 33.3 | 17.3% | 26.3% | 17.4% | 1977 | $1,010 | 8.3% | 71.4% | 2.6% |
| Ward County | 2.53 | 35.1 | 14.9% | 21.5% | 14.6% | 1972 | $1,179 | 12.9% | 78.3% | 2.8% |
| Crane County | 2.92 | 37.3 | 7.9% | 16.2% | 12.7% | 1977 | $877 | 13.9% | 73.8% | 5.5% |
| Tom Green County | 2.50 | 39.1 | 12.6% | 34.9% | 11.5% | 1981 | $1,263 | 25.3% | 87.6% | 3.7% |
| Mills County | 2.43 | 47.1 | 10.8% | 19.7% | 29.8% | 1980 | $686 | 27.7% | 88.3% | 2.8% |
| McLennan County | 2.70 | 36.3 | 12.5% | 38.2% | 10.4% | 1984 | $1,301 | 30.0% | 88.2% | 4.3% |
| Limestone County | 2.60 | 42.8 | 14.1% | 27.9% | 17.8% | 1983 | $1,008 | 19.0% | 86.1% | 3.5% |
| Angelina County | 2.68 | 38.9 | 14.8% | 36.0% | 12.9% | 1986 | $1,048 | 18.4% | 85.8% | 6.4% |
| San Augustine County | 2.68 | 50.9 | 11.6% | 24.9% | 35.2% | 1986 | $619 | 13.7% | 83.7% | 9.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Manati Municipio, PR · Phelps County, MO · Pettis County, MO · Person County, NC · Perry County, PA · Pasquotank County, NC · Ottawa County, OH · Mayes County, OK · Marshall County, IN · Marinette County, WI
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 Santa Cruz County. 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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