County Strategic Plan

Vision Santa Cruz County establishes a vision of a healthy, safe, and more affordable community that is culturally diverse, economically inclusive, and environmentally vibrant. The community indicators presented here help quantify the achievement of County goals, established in partnership with the County Board of Supervisors and County residents. The County’s action plan for achieving its goals can be found here: Operational Plan
Focus On

Comprehensive Health and Safety

County programs promote a safe and healthy community that nurtures body and mind across all ages and social conditions by meeting basic needs, targeting and addressing disparate results, and partnering for transformative opportunities.
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 84.5% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 84.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 81.3%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 84.5% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 84.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 81.3%.
People with a Usual Source of Health Care
(Compared to CA Counties)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 11.6% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 13.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 15.1%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 11.6% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 13.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 15.1%.
Food Insecurity Rate
(Compared to CA Counties)
Over time, the Santa Cruz value is decreasing, not significantly. Over time, the Santa Cruz value is decreasing, not significantly.
Age-Adjusted Death Rate due to Suicide
(Compared to Trend over Time)

County: Santa Cruz

Focus On

Attainable Housing

County programs partner to lower barriers to housing solutions, ensure our build neighborhoods support health, work, and community, and grow smartly to increase housing stability.
Over time, the Santa Cruz value is staying the same. Over time, the Santa Cruz value is staying the same.
Total Homeless Population
(Compared to Trend over Time)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 52.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 53.1% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 55.8%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 52.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 53.1% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 55.8%.
Renters Spending 30% or More of Household Income on Rent
(Compared to CA Counties)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 0.26 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 0.24 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 0.19. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 0.26 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 0.24 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 0.19.
Grocery Store Density
(Compared to CA Counties)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 25.6% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 21.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.1%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 25.6% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 21.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.1%.
Severe Housing Problems
(Compared to CA Counties)

County: Santa Cruz

Focus On

Dynamic Economy

County programs create opportunities for jobs that can sustain families, grow vibrant, inclusive gathering spaces, incubate and retain small and growing businesses, and partner to promote lifelong learning.
Over time, the Santa Cruz value is increasing significantly. Over time, the Santa Cruz value is increasing significantly.
Median Household Income
(Compared to Trend over Time)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 92.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 89.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 86.0%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 92.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 89.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 86.0%.
Households with an Internet Subscription
(Compared to CA Counties)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 5.8% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 5.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 6.7%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 5.8% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 5.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 6.7%.
Unemployed Workers in Civilian Labor Force
(Compared to CA Counties)

County: Santa Cruz

Focus On

Sustainable Environment

County programs expand access to incredible open spaces and activities, protect and restore our natural resources, reduce waste and move towards a more sustainable future, and increase resilience to climate change.
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 97.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 85.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 76.2%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 97.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 85.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 76.2%.
Access to Exercise Opportunities
(Compared to CA Counties)
Over time, the Santa Cruz value is decreasing, not significantly. Over time, the Santa Cruz value is decreasing, not significantly.
Annual Ozone Air Quality
(Compared to Trend over Time)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 8.4 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 8.0 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 7.4. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 8.4 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 8.0 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 7.4.
Food Environment Index
(Compared to CA Counties)
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 2,013.8 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 3,086.6 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 4,003.0. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 2,013.8 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 3,086.6 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 4,003.0.
Residential Electricity Use
(Compared to CA Counties)

County: Santa Cruz

Focus On

Reliable Transportation

County programs connect communities, lower barriers to mobility, increase safety, and promote the use of alternative and public transportation.
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 10.2 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 16.3 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 21.8. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 10.2 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 16.3 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 21.8.
Age-Adjusted Death Rate due to Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 37.4% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 35.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 42.8%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 37.4% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 35.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 42.8%.
Solo Drivers with a Long Commute
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 1.8% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 0.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 0.5%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 1.8% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 0.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 0.5%.
Workers Commuting by Public Transportation

County: Santa Cruz

(Compared to CA Counties)

Santa Cruz