California · Metropolitan Area
Scotts Valley is a small city in California with a population of 12,138. Residents earn $140,887 per year, which is 87% above the national average.
Based on current data, Scotts Valley receives an overall livability score of 3.3 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. Scotts Valley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Scotts Valley is $140,887, which is significantly higher than the national average — 87% above $75,149. This places Scotts Valley among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 0.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
The median home value in Scotts Valley is $1,092,000, making it a premium housing market at 287% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,362 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Scotts Valley is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 144 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,238 per 100,000, near the national average.
Scotts Valley is a highly educated community — 54.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.
Scotts Valley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.
| English Only | 86.0% |
| 10% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 14.0% |
| 4% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $140,887 |
| 87% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $79,348 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,300 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $115,937 |
| Unemployment | 1.5% |
| 58% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 0.7% |
| 94% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 10,171 |
| County GDP | $21,092M |
| Restaurants | 734 |
| Healthcare | 939 |
| Retail | 822 |
| Manufacturing | 281 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $9,787 |
| 180% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.90% |
| Commute Time | 24.8 min |
| Work from Home | 24.5% |
| Census Median | $1,092,000 |
| 287% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $1,235,119 |
| Median List Price | $1,795,000 |
| Median List Price | $1,795,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $543 |
| Homes Sold | 3 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 92.6% |
| Price Drops | 26.7% |
| Inventory | 15 |
| Census Median Rent | $2,362 |
| 103% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $3,543 |
| Studio | $1,513 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,647 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,053 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,752 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,165 |
| Owner-Occupied | 72.5% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $9,787 |
| 180% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.90% |
| Obesity | 23.5% |
| 27% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.1% |
| Heart Disease | 4.2% |
| High Blood Pressure | 25.4% |
| Asthma | 9.9% |
| COPD | 3.9% |
| Stroke | 2.2% |
| Binge Drinking | 20.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 15.1% |
| Depression | 24.0% |
| Mental Distress | 16.5% |
| Physical Distress | 10.4% |
| Insurance Rate | 96.8% |
| Checkup Rate | 70.2% |
| Premature Death | 5,482/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.4/10 |
| Exercise Access | 98.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 939 |
| Total Violent | 144.1/100K |
| 62% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 50.9/100K |
| Robbery | 33.9/100K |
| Assault | 59.4/100K |
| Total Property | 2,238.2/100K |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 356.1/100K |
| Theft | 1,755.0/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 127.2/100K |
| Arson | 17.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 25 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 60.5°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 49.6 inches |
| 31% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 0.1 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 576 ft (176 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (12.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,627/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0555°N, 122.0118°W |
| County FIPS | 06087 |
Winner: Democrat by 54.4 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% |
| 61% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 95.3% |
| School Test Score | 4.69 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 2,627/sq mi |
| Total Area | 4.6 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 6 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 7 |
| Public Libraries | 16 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 939 |
| Restaurants | 734 |
| Retail Stores | 822 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 25 |
| Avg Commute | 24.8 min |
| Work from Home | 24.5% |