City · California
Capitola, California
Capitola, city, in Santa Cruz County, California. Capitola had 9,340 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 9,938 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 9,689 (±63). GEOID 0611040.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,340
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,938 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,689 ±63
Median household income
$102,976
±$14,547 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$783,000
±$165,285 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,512
±$193 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Capitola and what county is it in?
Capitola is a city in Santa Cruz County, California. It covers 1.6 square miles of land, 6,235 residents per square mile in 2020.
Capitola is in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Capitola, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 9,340 people lived in Capitola on July 1, 2025, down 6.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 9,938 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 9,689 (±63).
| Measure | Capitola | Santa Cruz County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,689 ±63 | 264,926 | −432 |
| Households | 4,564 ±270 | 96,898 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.08 ±0.12 | 2.58 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,160 ±264 | 106,977 | no clear change |
Capitola's population since 2000
From 10,033 in 2000 to 9,340 in 2025: down 6.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Capitola as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Capitola?
The median resident of Capitola is 47.6 years old; 15.0% are under 18 and 24.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 63.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.5%. 14.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Capitola | Santa Cruz County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.6 ±4.7 | 39.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 15.0% ±3.0 pts | 18.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.8% ±3.0 pts | 19.0% | – |
| Male | 51.7% ±3.7 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.5% ±4.7 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 63.5% ±4.8 pts | 53.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±1.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.8% ±1.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8% ±1.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.9% ±3.4 pts | 18.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.2% ±4.6 pts | 33.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±1.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 18.3% ±3.2 pts | 11.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4% ±2.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.6% ±3.5 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 47.9% ±5.3 pts | 43.9% | +13.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.4% ±3.5 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.3% ±3.4 pts | 86.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2% ±1.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Capitola earn?
Half of Capitola's 4,564 households earn less than $102,976 a year (±$14,547), against $111,093 in Santa Cruz County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $87,452 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Capitola | Santa Cruz County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $102,976 ±$14,547 | $111,093 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $149,015 ±$18,262 | $156,439 | – |
| Per capita income | $69,352 ±$9,303 | $56,941 | +$18,355 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9% ±3.7 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.6% ±11.8 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.5% ±3.1 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.6% ±1.9 pts | 97.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.5% ±2.3 pts | 94.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Capitola?
Owners occupy 52.2% of Capitola's occupied homes and renters 47.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $783,000 by its owner (±$165,285). The median renter pays $2,512 a month including utilities, and 33.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Capitola | Santa Cruz County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $783,000 ±$165,285 | $1,027,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $2,512 ±$193 | $2,264 | +$321 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.7% ±8.3 pts | 43.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,283 ±$242 | $3,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 52.2% ±5.5 pts | 59.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 47.8% ±5.5 pts | 40.1% | – |
| Housing units | 5,160 ±264 | 106,977 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8% ±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4% ±3.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 37.3% ±4.8 pts | 63.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.0% ±2.5 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.3% ±3.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.5% ±2.7 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.6% ±2.8 pts | 5.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Capitola building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units in Capitola in 2025 (6 in single-family houses), 0.6 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Capitola work and get to work?
52.8% of Capitola's workers drive alone and 28.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Capitola | Santa Cruz County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.2% ±4.5 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±1.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 52.8% ±6.9 pts | 62.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1% ±2.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±1.0 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Walked | 4.7% ±2.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 28.2% ±7.9 pts | 19.3% | +20.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.4 min ±2.6 | 25.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Capitola?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Capitola, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $95,525 (Tract 1218.02) to $113,649 (Tract 1217.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1217.01Santa Cruz County | 4,409 | $113,649 |
| Tract 1218.02Santa Cruz County | 2,273 | $95,525 |
| Tract 1218.01Santa Cruz County | 1,536 | $99,769 |
| Tract 1217.02Santa Cruz County | 3,406 | $121,231 |
| Tract 1220.05Santa Cruz County | 4,373 | $118,274 |
| Tract 1216.02Santa Cruz County | 2,529 | $98,650 |
| Tract 1221Santa Cruz County | 3,299 | $130,385 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Capitola) · Census block assignment files
How does Capitola compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Capitola is the 3,365th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 381st-most populous of 483 in California.
Capitola ranks 420th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 381st | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 442nd | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 173rd | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 420th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 194th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 377th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 194th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 343rd | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 254th | 988 |
| Median age | 219th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 858th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 148th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 808th | 1,069 |
Capitola's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Capitola with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Capitola?
11 of the 57 figures for Capitola on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Capitola are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Capitola.