California

Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County has an estimated 258,852 residents as of 2025 across 4 incorporated places, a decline of 4.7% since 2020.

Population (2025)
258,852
Census Bureau estimate
Change since 2020
-4.7%
Resident population
Incorporated places
4
Cities, towns and CDPs
Unincorporated share
48%
Residents outside city limits

Industries in Santa Cruz County

2,179 establishments indexed

Establishment and employment counts from the U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns program.

IndustryNAICSEstablishmentsEmployees
HVAC & Plumbing238220103873
Electrical23821095345
Roofing23816024141
Landscaping5617301401,471
Pest Control561710755
Pool Service5617901438
Commercial Cleaning56172058620
Flooring2383301965
Glass & Glazing238150860
Septic & Well23891021114
Auto Repair81111176371
Auto Body81112132318
Car Wash81119210118
Towing488410680
Trucking484110, 4841212181
Equipment Rental532412332
Dental6212101341,024
Veterinary54194041467
Home Health62161015336
Pharmacy44611030618
Medical Practice6211111772,136
Optometry62132019126
Accounting541211, 54121380390
Insurance Agency52421076369
IT & MSP541513, 54151241232
Staffing561320, 56131118670
Engineering541330711,457
Architecture5413103499
Law Firm541110103330
Security Services56161210157
Printing32311111112
Sign Shops339950433
Machine Shops33271016195
Metal Fabrication332322, 332312314
Plastics326199n/an/a
Food Manufacturing311999, 3118129164
Millwork337110, 3219181166
Restaurants7225112354,675
Bakeries31181114228
Liquor Stores44531033164
Gyms & Fitness71394050904
Salons & Spas812112, 812113, 812199100511
Laundromats8123101566
Dry Cleaning8123201258
Funeral Homes812210639
Self Storage5311302251
Childcare624410131621
Pet Services81291021145

Cities in Santa Cruz County

4
Santa Cruz61.8KWatsonville50.7KScotts Valley11.7KCapitola9.3K

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Subcounty resident population estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.