Population 19,901 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Westside
Household size in Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.42 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.64 | 2.54 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.70 | 2.49 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.70 | 2.45 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.22 | +0.03 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Westside average 2.70 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in Santa Cruz as a whole, where it has 2.45 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.48, even as the national average fell.
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 Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.6 | 36.2 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.7 | 36.5 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 29.5 | 38.3 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 29.2 | 38.6 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.4 | +2.5 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Westside is young: half of its residents are under 29.2, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has edged down from 29.6, even as the national median rose.
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 Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 10.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 9.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 8.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 8.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Westside: 6.6% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 3.0 points from 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 Westside
Renters in Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.9% | 49.4% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.5% | 50.1% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.3% | 47.8% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 46.9% | 47.0% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −2.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Westside than nationally: 46.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. More than a quarter of owners (27.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, 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 Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 9.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 10.8% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 10.2% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.5% | 9.3% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Westside as nationally: 10.5%, against 9.6%. Vacancy is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, 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 Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1966 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1969 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1970 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1973 | 1971 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Westside run older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1973 against 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1966 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the center 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 Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,441 | $1,390 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,624 | $1,536 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,002 | $1,886 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,328 | $2,418 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$887 | +$1,028 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Westside pays $2,328 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $887 a month from 2006–10, a 62% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 41.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northwest; the highest are in the south.
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 Westside
Bachelor's degrees in Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.9% | 48.2% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 61.0% | 47.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 61.4% | 51.1% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 59.5% | 53.3% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | +5.1 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Westside is highly educated: about six in ten adults 25 and older (59.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.2% | 90.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.7% | 92.3% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.1% | 93.4% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.8% | 93.8% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Westside: 96.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has barely moved since 2006–10, while the national rate rose.
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 Westside
| Period | Westside | Santa Cruz | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 9.3% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 8.0% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.4 pts | −3.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Westside: 10.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 7.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Westside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westside | 2.70 | 29.2 | 6.6% | 46.9% | 10.5% | 1973 | $2,328 | 59.5% | 96.8% | 10.1% |
| Central Santa Cruz | 2.35 | 33.2 | 9.1% | 70.8% | 10.1% | 1973 | $2,230 | 50.6% | 93.8% | 7.1% |
| Live Oak | 2.45 | 43.2 | 10.6% | 41.8% | 8.0% | 1978 | $2,687 | 39.7% | 87.8% | 4.2% |
| 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% |
| Blossom Valley | 2.98 | 39.7 | 10.4% | 37.7% | 4.0% | 1977 | $2,889 | 44.9% | 88.2% | 5.2% |
| Santa Teresa | 2.97 | 38.0 | 11.9% | 33.8% | 2.6% | 1986 | $3,003 | 51.8% | 92.8% | 4.1% |
| West San Jose | 2.76 | 40.2 | 8.0% | 48.7% | 8.2% | 1968 | $2,894 | 62.2% | 92.8% | 4.9% |
| Rancho Rinconada | 2.77 | 43.8 | 4.6% | 37.4% | 5.2% | 1970 | $3,452 | 79.6% | 95.4% | 3.7% |
| Willow Glen | 2.65 | 39.9 | 10.2% | 47.8% | 6.3% | 1967 | $2,762 | 52.4% | 89.2% | 3.7% |
| Loma Linda | 2.53 | 31.7 | 7.2% | 91.6% | 4.1% | 1977 | $2,591 | 84.1% | 99.7% | 11.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Chatham, Chicago, IL · East Arlington, Jacksonville, FL · Eads-Fisherville, Cordova, TN · Drnag, San Bernardino, CA · East Garfield Park, Chicago, IL · Alden Bridge, The Woodlands, TX · Cully, Portland, OR · Villa Carolina, Carolina, PR · Whiskey Point, Chicago, IL · City Heights West, San Diego, CA
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 Westside. 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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