Capitola, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Capitola is a small city in California with a population of 9,813. Residents earn $96,412 per year, which is 28% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
9,813 Population 6,172/sq mi density
$96,412 Median Income $60,609 per capita
$746,000 Home Value $1,208,379 Zillow
$2,376 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
296 Violent Crime/100K 6,187 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$96,412 median income, 1.6% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.3 / 5.0
$746,000 home value, $2,376/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
296 violent crimes/100K (22% below avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
45.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $96,412
28% higher than US avg
Home Value $746,000
165% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 296/100K
22% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 45.6%
35% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,376
104% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.3%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.9%
12% lower than US avg

How Capitola Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population9,813
Median Age46.3 yrs
Density6,172/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 69%

Economy

A+
Median Income$96,412
Per Capita$60,609
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty10.9%
County GDP$3,285M
Commute25 min

Housing

C
Home Value$746,000
Rent$2,376
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,208,379

Crime

F
Violent296/100K
Property6,187/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault207/100K
Burglary247/100K

Health

Obesity26.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain30.6 in/yr
Elevation47 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+45.6%
High School+91.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 55%
Commute25 min
EV Stations8
Libraries3

Is Capitola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Capitola receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Capitola offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Capitola is $96,412, 28% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. 10.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Capitola is $746,000, making it a premium housing market at 165% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,376 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.7x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Capitola is below the national average at 296 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,187 per 100,000, 216% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 45.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 91.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Capitola enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Capitola has a population of 9,813 with a density of 6,172 people per square mile. The median age is 46.3 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.4%), with 2.4% Hispanic.

Population

9,813
Total Population
6,172
People / sq mi
46.3yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Capitola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only81.9%
4% above US avg
Spanish18.1%
35% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Capitola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Capitola is $96,412, which is 28% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Capitola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$96,412
28% above US avg
Per Capita Income$60,609
Avg Weekly Wage$1,154
IRS Avg AGI$88,750

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.9%
12% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,930
County GDP$3,285M

Business (County)

Restaurants113
Healthcare110
Retail120
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,874
125% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.0 min
Work from Home25.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Capitola is $746,000, 165% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,376 (104% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,208,379.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$746,000
165% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,208,379
Median List Price$1,298,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,298,000
$/Sq Ft$678
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio98.3%
Price Drops15.0%
Inventory20

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,376
104% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,148

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied50.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,874
125% above US avg
Effective Rate1.06%
In Capitola, 26.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 18.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Capitola vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.3%
18% below US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure27.6%
Asthma10.3%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity18.9%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate69.9%
Premature Death6,316/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access83.6%
Healthcare Facilities110
Capitola has a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, 22% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,187 per 100,000 (216% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Capitola vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent296.0/100K
22% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape19.7/100K
Robbery69.1/100K
Assault207.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,187.1/100K
216% above US avg
Burglary246.7/100K
Theft5,664.1/100K
Vehicle Theft276.3/100K
Arson29.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Capitola has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average58.7°F
9% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.6 inches
19% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation47 ft (14 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density6,172/sq mi
Coordinates36.9761°N, 121.9540°W
County FIPS06069
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 45.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 12.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.3%
D 54.9%

Winner: Democrat by 12.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+45.6%
35% above US avg
High School+91.0%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density6,172/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities110
Restaurants113
Retail Stores120

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.0 min
Work from Home25.7%

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