Santa Cruz County Real Estate and Livability Trends
Santa Cruz County, California has seen average taxable income per tax return rise from $70,818.92 in 2013 to $129,061.05 by 2021, reflecting a robust economy that might attract investors. However, with income taxes also climbing to $33,415.14 in 2021, the cost of living is noticeably higher. Median home values have surged from $578,800 in 2015 to $951,300 in 2022, making the market both appealing... Read more
Santa Cruz County Market Trends
Santa Cruz County, California's median home values have surged from $578,800 in 2015 to $951,300 in 2022, far outpacing state and national averages. This significant rise makes the market appealing for investors while impacting affordability for new buyers. Residential energy tax credits have also shown strong growth, peaking at $5,109.57 in 2018, reflecting increased investments in energy... Read more
Median Value of Occupied Housing Units in Santa Cruz County, California Over the Last 8 Years
Santa Cruz County, California has seen a significant upward trend in median home values over the past eight years, notably surpassing both state and national averages. From $578,800 in 2015 to $951,300 in 2022, the county's median home value growth outpaces California's rise from $385,500 to $659,300 and the national increase from $125,500 to $179,400. This trend suggests a robust local market, making it potentially lucrative for investors while also impacting affordability for potential homeowners and renters.
Residential Energy Tax Credit Per Tax Return in Santa Cruz County, CA Over the Last 9 Years
Santa Cruz County, California has seen a significant upward trend in residential energy tax credits per tax return over the past nine years. Starting at $1,125.52 in 2013, the average credit surged dramatically to $5,109.57 by 2018, reflecting increased investments in energy efficiency or renewable energy installations. Although it dipped to $3,186.74 in 2020, the figure rebounded to $3,693.04 in 2021. For investors and property developers, this pattern indicates a growing awareness and adoption of energy-efficient solutions, making Santa Cruz County a potentially lucrative market for sustainable living initiatives.
Average Real Estate Taxes Per Tax Return in Santa Cruz County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
Santa Cruz County, California has seen a gradual increase in real estate taxes per tax return over the last decade, jumping from $5,030.56 in 2012 to $9,271.51 in 2021. This upward trend might be driven by rising property values, increasing demand, and local economic factors. Potential investors and homeowners should consider this steady rise, as it suggests a growing market which could impact long-term affordability and investment returns.
Percentage of Farm Returns in Santa Cruz County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
In Santa Cruz County, California, farm tax returns have shown a generally slight downward trend over the last decade, decreasing from roughly 0.44% in 2012 to around 0.37% in 2021. Farm tax returns are critical in understanding the economic viability and sustainability of agricultural operations in the region. This trend could suggest challenges for small-scale farming operations or might indicate shifts in land use towards other types of development. For potential investors, property builders, or residents, these insights may highlight evolving economic patterns and potential areas that could either benefit from support or are primed for other non-agricultural investments.
Number of Mortgages by Occupancy Type in Santa Cruz County, CA Over the Last 5 Years in Santa Cruz County
Over the past five years, the number of mortgages in Santa Cruz County, California, shows a notable shift in occupancy types. Principal residences have consistently dominated, with counts peaking in 2020 and declining significantly in 2022, possibly indicating changes in market demand or economic conditions. Investment properties and second residences have also trended downward recently, suggesting potential shifts in investment strategies or market dynamics. Understanding the shifts in occupancy types is crucial for investors, appraisers, real estate agents, and insurance agents assessing market viability, risk, and property value in the area. For prospective homeowners, these trends provide insights into competitive pressures and potential future shifts in the local housing market.
Economic Outlook
Santa Cruz County, California has seen average taxable income per tax return soar from $70,818.92 in 2013 to $129,061.05 by 2021, highlighting robust economic growth and increased earning potential. This may attract investors and homeowners eyeing a burgeoning market. Meanwhile, average state and local income taxes have also risen sharply, reaching $33,415.14 in 2021, reflective of significant financial shifts and a higher cost of living. While total tax liabilities have similarly grown from... Read more
Average Taxable Income per Tax Return in Santa Cruz County, CA over the last 9 years
Santa Cruz County, CA has seen a significant increase in average taxable income per tax return over the last nine years. Starting at $70,818.92 in 2013, the figure jumped to $129,061.05 by 2021. This consistent rise, especially the notable spike in 2021, indicates robust economic growth and suggests increased earning potential for residents. For investors, this trend highlights a flourishing economic environment, while prospective homeowners and builders might find the area more attractive due to the rising income levels, which could correlate with demand for housing and development opportunities.
Average State and Local Income Taxes Per Tax Return in Santa Cruz County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
Santa Cruz County has seen a substantial rise in average state and local income taxes per tax return over the past decade, increasing from $11,942.15 in 2012 to $33,415.14 in 2021. This steady upward trend signals a significant financial shift for residents, which potential movers should consider when evaluating the cost of living. Such an increase reflects broader economic changes impacting household budgets in the area.
Average Total Tax Liability Per Tax Return in Santa Cruz County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
In Santa Cruz County, California, the average total tax liability per tax return has seen a notable increase over the past decade. From $14,127.91 in 2012 to $26,392.88 in 2021, this growth reflects significant economic changes and increased earning potential in the area. Investors, prospective homeowners, and developers should note the rising tax implications, which suggest a booming, high-value market, but also higher carrying costs for property and investment returns.
Cost of Living in Santa Cruz County
| Family Size | Housing | Food | Heath Care | Child Care | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults 4 children | $4,077 | $1,898 | $2,209 | $2,685 | $3,809 |
| 1 adult 4 children | $4,077 | $1,550 | $1,705 | $2,685 | $4,033 |
| 2 adults 3 children | $4,077 | $1,551 | $1,909 | $2,685 | $3,490 |
| 1 adult 3 children | $4,077 | $1,266 | $1,405 | $2,685 | $3,644 |
| 2 adults 2 children | $3,293 | $1,269 | $1,608 | $2,343 | $2,728 |
| 1 adult 2 children | $3,293 | $948 | $1,105 | $2,343 | $2,799 |
| 2 adults 1 child | $3,293 | $1,003 | $1,308 | $1,234 | $2,184 |
| 1 adult 1 child | $3,293 | $648 | $804 | $1,234 | $2,253 |
| 2 adults | $2,502 | $806 | $1,008 | $0 | $1,265 |
| 1 adult | $2,212 | $440 | $504 | $0 | $1,319 |
Safety trends & Data
Santa Cruz County, California has witnessed some interesting shifts in property crime trends. Burglary incidents peaked in 2019 with 331 cases reported, but thankfully, they've been declining since. Larceny-theft, quite a prevalent crime, has also been tapering off, especially from 2020 onwards. Arson took an unexpected leap in 2022 with 33 occurrences. Motor vehicle thefts and vandalism have held steady but recorded lower counts in 2021. Crimes such as embezzlement and forgery remain... Read more
Property Crime Trends in Santa Cruz County, CA Over the Last 5 Years
Santa Cruz County, California has seen fluctuating trends in property crimes over the past five years. Burglary incidents peaked in 2019 with 331 reported cases but have been on a decline since. Larceny-theft, one of the more common crimes, has also shown a general downward trend, especially notable from 2020 onwards. Arson saw a significant spike in 2022 with 33 reported cases. Motor vehicle thefts and vandalism have remained relatively steady, although they hit lower counts in 2021. Embezzlement and forgery incidents have generally stayed low, showing a minor presence in the overall crime landscape.
Demographics
Santa Cruz County, California shows a balanced adult gender distribution, with a slight female majority. The population's educational levels indicate a higher than average college attendance, with significant portions holding bachelor's or graduate degrees. Age-wise, the county displays strong representation across all age groups, although the highest concentrations are in the 25-34 and 55-64 year brackets. Racial composition reveals a predominantly White demographic, with notable diversity... Read more
Race Distribution in Santa Cruz County, California (2022)
Educational Attainment in Santa Cruz County, California (2022)
Age Distribution in Santa Cruz County, California
Citizen Population in Santa Cruz County, California (2022)
Political Trends & Data
In Santa Cruz County, California, Democratic candidates seemed dominant in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, capturing about 78.9% of the vote. Republican candidates appeared to trail with roughly 18.6%, and minor parties like the Libertarians and Greens might have only managed to attract approximately 1.2% and 0.7% of the vote, indicating minimal third-party influence. This trend may suggest a strong liberal leaning in the area's political... Read more
Percentage of Votes in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election by Party
In Santa Cruz County, California, Democratic candidates seemed to receive a strong majority of votes in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, with approximately 78.9% of the vote. In contrast, Republican candidates might have garnered around 18.6%, lagging significantly behind. Minor parties like the Libertarians and Greens appeared to attract a small fraction, with roughly 1.2% and 0.7%, respectively, suggesting limited support for third-party options in this area.
18.60% of voters voted for the Republican party in the 2020 Presidential Election
78.88% of voters voted for the Democrat party in the 2020 Presidential Election
1.18% of voters voted for the Livertarian party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.73% of voters voted for the Green party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.61% of voters voted for the Other party in the 2020 Presidential Election
School Data
Santa Cruz County, California saw its student-to-teacher ratio peak at around 23 in 2021, but it's now around 21, still higher than the national average of 14. This could signal potential demands for educational infrastructure, which might influence residential property demand in school districts with better student-to-teacher ratios. Real estate agents and appraisers should consider these trends when evaluating properties, while insurance agents might factor community investment in education... Read more
Student-to-teacher ratio in Santa Cruz County, California over the last 9 years
Santa Cruz County, California has seen a fluctuating student-to-teacher ratio over the past nine years, peaking at approximately 23 in 2021, but recently lowering to about 21 in 2023. This is notably higher than the national average of 14 students per teacher. Investors and developers may find this significant when considering educational infrastructure needs. For families moving to the area, a higher student-to-teacher ratio could impact educational quality and may be a consideration. Real estate agents and appraisers might find these trends useful in understanding demand for residential properties in better-served school districts, while insurance agents could see implications in policy pricing related to community investments in education.
