Search for Indicators
Youth Well-Being
The Youth and Well-Being Dashboard is a compilation of indicators that track health, socio-economic, educational, and behavioral trends for children and teens in Santa Cruz County. As described in the Community Assessment Project (CAP), a healthy foundation early-on is important in securing health and well-being for a person's entire life. These indicators represent important dimensions of a child's health and well-being from infancy through the teenage years.
As a society, we can work together to ensure all our children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. These indicators can be used to compare our county with the country and state as a whole. You can view more information by clicking "learn more" on each indicator card, or you can download by clicking "save card" for later use.
Indicator Gauge Icon Legend
Legend Colors
Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.
Compared to Distribution
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
Compared to Target
meets target; 
does not meet target.
Compared to a Single Value
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
Trend
non-significant change over time; 
significant change over time; 
no change over time.
Compared to Prior Value
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
no statistically different change from previous measurement period.
Significantly better than the overall value
Significantly worse than the overall value
Significantly different than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
No data on significance available
County: Santa Cruz
Health / Family Planning
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz Teen Birth Rate: 15-19
County: Santa Cruz Teen Birth Rate: 15-19
5.6
Live births per 1,000 females aged 15-19
(2020-2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 55 California counties.
CA Value
(9.5)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(14.2)
The regional value is compared to the national value. The source for the national value is Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics
Prior Value
(6.3)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz Children with Health Insurance
County: Santa Cruz Children with Health Insurance
98.6%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 42 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 828 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(96.8%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(94.9%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Prior Value
(95.5%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz
Community / Social Environment
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz Substantiated Child Abuse Rate
County: Santa Cruz Substantiated Child Abuse Rate
2.2
Cases per 1,000 children
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Value
(6.1)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(7.7)
The regional value is compared to the national value. The source for the national value is Children's Bureau
Prior Value
(2.0)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
HP 2030 Target
(8.7)
County: Santa Cruz
Economy / Food Insecurity
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz Child Food Insecurity Rate
County: Santa Cruz Child Food Insecurity Rate
14.2%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(16.9%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(18.5%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Prior Value
(10.3%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz Food Insecure Children Likely Ineligible for Assistance
County: Santa Cruz Food Insecure Children Likely Ineligible for Assistance
36%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,131 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(35%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(25% in 2021)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Prior Value
(33%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz Households Receiving SNAP with Children
County: Santa Cruz Households Receiving SNAP with Children
47.7%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
CA Value
(53.1%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(47.9%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz Students Eligible for the Free Lunch Program
County: Santa Cruz Students Eligible for the Free Lunch Program
45.7%
(2022-2023)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 2,710 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(52.6%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(42.8%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Prior Value
(43.8%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz
Economy / Poverty
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz Children Living Below Poverty Level
County: Santa Cruz Children Living Below Poverty Level
10.9%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,132 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(15.6%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(16.7%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz Youth not in School or Working
County: Santa Cruz Youth not in School or Working
0.5%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,130 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(1.5%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(1.8%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz
Education / School Environment
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz Student-to-Teacher Ratio
County: Santa Cruz Student-to-Teacher Ratio
21.2
Students per teacher
(2022-2023)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,125 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(21.9)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(15.4)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Prior Value
(21.5)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz
Education / Student Performance K-12
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz 3rd Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
County: Santa Cruz 3rd Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
37%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(42%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(70%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 3rd Grade Students Proficient in Math
County: Santa Cruz 3rd Grade Students Proficient in Math
39%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(44%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(70%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 4th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
County: Santa Cruz 4th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
40%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(44%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(60%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 4th Grade Students Proficient in Math
County: Santa Cruz 4th Grade Students Proficient in Math
35%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(38%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(54%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 5th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
County: Santa Cruz 5th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
41.8%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(47.1%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(64.6%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 5th Grade Students Proficient in Math
County: Santa Cruz 5th Grade Students Proficient in Math
27.3%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(31.6%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(41.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 6th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
County: Santa Cruz 6th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
37.6%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(45.1%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(61.7%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 6th Grade Students Proficient in Math
County: Santa Cruz 6th Grade Students Proficient in Math
26.0%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(32.5%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(49.7%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 7th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
County: Santa Cruz 7th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
48.1%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(49.2%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(70.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 7th Grade Students Proficient in Math
County: Santa Cruz 7th Grade Students Proficient in Math
31.0%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(32.0%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(65.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 8th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
County: Santa Cruz 8th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
44.3%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(46.6%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(67.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 8th Grade Students Proficient in Math
County: Santa Cruz 8th Grade Students Proficient in Math
26.5%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(29.2%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(55.1%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 11th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
County: Santa Cruz 11th Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts
56.0%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(54.8%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(69.5%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz 11th Grade Students Proficient in Math
County: Santa Cruz 11th Grade Students Proficient in Math
28.6%
(2022)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(27.0%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
Prior Value
(51.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
County: Santa Cruz High School Graduation
County: Santa Cruz High School Graduation
86.2%
(2022-2023)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 California counties.
CA Value
(86.2%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(86.5% in 2020)
The regional value is compared to the national value. The source for the national value is National Center for Education Statistics
Prior Value
(86.9%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
HP 2030 Target
(90.7%)
County: Santa Cruz
Environmental Health / Built Environment
Value
Compared to:
County: Santa Cruz Children with Low Access to a Grocery Store
County: Santa Cruz Children with Low Access to a Grocery Store
2.5%
(2015)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,123 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Prior Value
(2.9%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
County: Santa Cruz Access to Exercise Opportunities
County: Santa Cruz Access to Exercise Opportunities
97.7%
(2024)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,096 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(94.2%)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(84.1%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Prior Value
(96.8%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
County: Santa Cruz Households with No Car and Low Access to a Grocery Store
County: Santa Cruz Households with No Car and Low Access to a Grocery Store
0.9%
(2015)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,140 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Prior Value
(0.9%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
County: Santa Cruz Low-Income and Low Access to a Grocery Store
County: Santa Cruz Low-Income and Low Access to a Grocery Store
3.8%
(2015)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,123 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Prior Value
(4.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
County: Santa Cruz Food Environment Index
County: Santa Cruz Food Environment Index
8.4
(2024)
Compared to:
CA Counties
The distribution is based on data from 58 California counties.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,108 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
CA Value
(8.6)
The regional value is compared to the California state value.
US Value
(7.7)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Prior Value
(8.2)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
