Santa Cruz County, California
 Seal | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of California | |
| Statistics | |
| Formed | 1850 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Santa Cruz |
| Area - Total - Land - Water | 1,573 km² (607 mi²) 419 km² (162 mi²) 26.67% |
| Population - (2000) -({{{census estimate yr}}}) - Density | 255,602 222/km² |
| Website: www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us | |
Santa Cruz County is a county located on the Pacific coast of California, just south of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its southern coast forms the north coast of Monterey Bay. As of 2000 its population is 255,602. The county seat is Santa Cruz.
Contents |
History
Santa Cruz County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.
In the original act, the county was given the name of "Branciforte" after the Spanish pueblo founded there in 1797. Less than two months later, the name was changed to "Santa Cruz". Mission Santa Cruz, established in 1791 and completed in 1794, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1857, but a smaller-scale replica was erected in 1931. Santa Cruz means "holy cross" in Spanish.
The county is home to two of the wineries (Ridge Vineyards and David Bruce Winery) selected to compete in the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,573 km² (607 mi²). 1,153 km² (445 mi²) of it is land and 419 km² (162 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 26.67% water. Of California's counties, only San Francisco is physically smaller.
Lying in a narrow strip, about ten miles wide, between the coast and the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, a mountainous terrain typifies most of the county, with some coastal lowlands. Most of the coastline is flanked by cliffs.
Adjacent counties
- San Mateo County — northwest
- Santa Clara County — northeast
- San Benito County — southeast
- Monterey County — southeast/south
To the west, the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay define the rest of Santa Cruz County's border.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 255,602 people, 91,139 households, and 57,144 families residing in the county. The population density is 222/km² (574/mi²). There are 98,873 housing units at an average density of 86/km² (222/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 75.09% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 0.96% Native American, 3.44% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 15.02% from other races, and 4.37% from two or more races. 26.79% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 91,139 households out of which 31.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% are married couples living together, 10.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.30% are non-families. 25.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.20% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.25.
In the county the population is spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $53,998, and the median income for a family is $61,941. Males have a median income of $46,291 versus $33,514 for females. The per capita income for the county is $26,396. 11.90% of the population and 6.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.50% of those under the age of 18 and 6.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Politics
| Year | GOP | Dems |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 24.9% 30,354 | 73.0% 89,102 |
| 2000 | 27.3% 29,627 | 61.5% 66,618 |
| 1996 | 26.9% 27,766 | 56.5% 58,250 |
| 1992 | 21.9% 24,916 | 58.1% 66,183 |
| 1988 | 36.8% 37,728 | 61.5% 63,133 |
| 1984 | 45.2% 41,652 | 53.3% 49,091 |
| 1980 | 43.5% 37,347 | 37.7% 32,346 |
| 1976 | 43.1% 31,872 | 51.1% 37,772 |
| 1972 | 49.9% 34,799 | 46.4% 32,336 |
| 1968 | 50.8% 25,365 | 41.0% 20,492 |
| 1964 | 41.3% 18,836 | 58.5% 26,714 |
| 1960 | 59.6% 24,858 | 39.9% 16,659 |
Transportation
Santa Cruz County is served by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District bus system and SCMTD/Valley Transportation Authority collaborated bus service to San Jose, California. Greyhound Lines bus service is another option for visiting Surf City.
The county has one public use general aviation airport as shown in the list of Santa Cruz airports. The nearest airports for commercial travel include San Jose International Airport, Monterey Peninsula Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Oakland International Airport.
Recreation
See: List of Birds of Santa Cruz County, California
Cities and towns
- Amesti
- Aptos
- Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
- Ben Lomond
- Bonny Doon
- Boulder Creek
- Capitola
- Corralitos
- Day Valley
- Felton
- Freedom
- Interlaken
- Live Oak
- Mount Hermon
- Opal Cliffs
- Rio del Mar
- Santa Cruz
- Scotts Valley
- Soquel
- Twin Lakes
- Watsonville
See also
External links
- Historical resources for Santa Cruz County -- from Santa Cruz Public Library
- Santa Cruz County official website
- List of movies shot in Santa Cruz County
- Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District
- Photographic virtual tour of Santa Cruz County.
- Santa Cruz Indymedia - grassroots network for sharing information!
| Cities and communities of Santa Cruz County, California | |
|---|---|
|
| |
