Santa Cruz, CA median household income trends: 2010 to 2021
From 2010 to 2021, the median household income for Santa Cruz increased by $21,417 (25.93%), as per the American Community Survey estimates. In comparison, median household income for the United States increased by $4,559 (6.51%) between 2010 and 2021.
Analyzing the trend in median household income between the years 2010 and 2021, spanning 11 annual cycles, we observed that median household income, when adjusted for 2022 inflation using the Consumer Price Index retroactive series (R-CPI-U-RS), experienced growth year by year for 6 years and declined for 5 years.
The most significant year-by-year growth occured from 2019 to 2020, when the median household income increased by 8,680 (from $89,470 to $98,150). Similarly the most substantial year-by-year decline occured from 2012 to 2013, when the median household income decreased by 2,656 (from $80,376 to $77,720).
In California, among cities with populations exceeding 50,000 residents, Santa Cruz ranks 59th out of 176 for median household income. This rank indicates that it falls within the middle-income range of large cities within the state of California.
Overall Santa Cruz is ranked 175th amongst all large cities in the US. In the category of large cities in the United States, those with populations exceeding 50,000 residents, Santa Cruz ranks 175th for its median household income, underscoring its position as one of the top-earning large cities in the country.
Median household income in Santa Cruz, CA by household size
To gain deeper insights into the median household income for Santa Cruz, we conducted an analysis of the most recent available data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5 year Estimates (the most recent data available).
Of the 7 household sizes (1 person to 7-or-more person households) reported by the census bureau, Santa Cruz did not include 6-person households. Across the different household sizes in Santa Cruz the mean income is $155,935, and the standard deviation is $75,125. The coefficient of variation (CV) is 48.18%. This high CV indicates high relative variability, suggesting that the incomes vary significantly across different sizes of households. Please note that the U.S. Census Bureau uses $250,001 as a JAM value to report incomes of $250,000 or more. In the case of Santa Cruz, there were 1 household sizes where the JAM values were used. Thus, the numbers for the mean and standard deviation may not be entirely accurate and have a higher possibility of errors. However, to obtain an approximate estimate, we have used a value of $250,001 as the income for calculations, as reported in the datasets by the U.S. Census Bureau.
In the most recent year, 2021, The smallest household size for which the bureau reported a median household income was 1-person households, with an income of $42,738. It then further increased to $270,229 for 7-person households, the largest household size for which the bureau reported a median household income.
Santa Cruz median household income by household size
The table below displays median household incomes for various household sizes, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Explore how household income varies with the size of the family unit.
| Household Size | Median Household Income |
|---|---|
| 1-person households | 42,738 |
| 2-person households | 118,634 |
| 3-person households | 159,851 |
| 4-person households | 157,683 |
| 5-person households | 186,476 |
| 6-person households | 0 |
| 7-or-more-person households | 270,229 |
According to the Census Bureau data, the median household income reaches its peak among 7-or-more-person households, reaching $270,229 Please note that this income is a JAM value, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, and may not be entirely accurate. For your analysis, you can consider that the highest income in Santa Cruz falls within the range of $250,000 or more, rather than being a specific, precise number.
Santa Cruz, CA income distribution and inequality
To gain a comprehensive understanding of income distribution in Santa Cruz, we conducted an analysis of quintiles data from the U.S. Census Bureau. While the bureau does not categorize income into subjective classes like lower-income, middle-class, or upper-class, they instead divide the population into five quintiles, ensuring that each quintile represents nearly the same number of households. This classification allows us to analyze income levels across a spectrum from the lowest to the highest income groups.
Mean household income by quintile in Santa Cruz
The table below presents the mean household income for each of the five quintiles in Santa Cruz, offering valuable insights into income distribution and inequality.
| Income Level | Mean Household Income |
|---|---|
| Lowest Quintile | 14,674 |
| Second Quintile | 48,852 |
| Third Quintile | 103,348 |
| Fourth Quintile | 171,522 |
| Highest Quintile | 376,912 |
| Top 5 Percent | 625,482 |
Key findings:
- Income disparities: The mean income of the lowest quintile (20% of households with the lowest income) is 14,674, while the mean income for the highest quintile (20% of households with the highest income) is 376,912. This indicates that the top earners earn 26 times compared to the lowest earners.
- Top 5%: The mean household income for the wealthiest population (top 5%) is 625,482, which is 165.95% higher compared to the highest quintile, and 4262.52% higher compared to the lowest quintile.
Furthermore, as per the Census Bureau, the Gini coefficient for Santa Cruz is 0.5087. Gini coefficient is a numeric measure ranging from 0 to 1, where lower numbers indicate greater income equality (with 0 representing complete equality, where all households earn the same income) and higher values signify greater income inequality (with 1 being complete inequality where one household receives all income).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS)
With a Gini coefficient of 0.5087, it is evident that income distribution in Santa Cruz, CA exihibits characterstics of moderate inequality .
This level of Gini coefficient suggests noticeable variations in income distribution across households, with certain segments of the population holding a larger share of income compared to others in Santa Cruz.
It also implies that efforts may be needed to enhance economic fairness and reduce the gap between income groups in Santa Cruz