Santa Cruz County Health Data
Santa Cruz County, California
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
83/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
81.8 yr
Uninsured Rate
6.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
81.8 yr
State avg 78.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
6.5%
State avg 7.2%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
102
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
977
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
16.6%
State avg 18.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
13.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 102.3 per 100K
Dentists
8.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
4.9
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Santa Cruz County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Santa Cruz | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 26.8% | 30.0% | 37.6% | 3.2 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.0% | 10.3% | 11.2% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.7% | 29.3% | 33.5% | 1.6 pts better than state |
| Depression | 23.3% | 22.7% | 24.1% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Santa Cruz | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 10.7% | 12.6% | 16.3% | 1.9 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 18.9% | 17.6% | 17.8% | 1.3 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 20.4% | 24.1% | 27.0% | 3.7 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Santa Cruz | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 69.3% | 70.0% | 74.9% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 64.3% | 61.3% | 57.3% | 3.0 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 77.6% | 74.3% | 73.3% | 3.3 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Santa Cruz | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.4% | 18.3% | 18.6% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.7% | 35.3% | 37.3% | 1.6 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Santa Cruz County nationally on physical inactivity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Santa Cruz County Mental Health Provider Density Surpasses National Median
Health data brief for Santa Cruz County, California.
Mental health provider density in Santa Cruz County is 977 per 100,000 residents. This ratio is nearly four times the national median of 250 per 100,000 residents. Life expectancy for county residents is 81.8 years, which is higher than both the state average of 78.5 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 6.5%, lower than the California state rate of 7.2% and the national mark of 10%. About 16.6% of residents report poor or fair health, similar to the national figure of 17%. Primary care provider availability is 102 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 70. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Santa Cruz County, California
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Dominican Hospital
ERWatsonville Community Hospital
ERSutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz
eHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Santa Cruz County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Santa Cruz County, CA?
What is the life expectancy in Santa Cruz County?
How does Santa Cruz County health compare to the California average?
What health factors affect Santa Cruz County?
Is Santa Cruz County a healthy place to live?
Why is Santa Cruz County healthier than the California average?
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Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.