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Scotts Valley

#2 in Best Places to Live in Santa Cruz County
  • A-
    Overall Grade
  • Town in California
  • 41 reviews
    A-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      A
    2. Crime & Safety
      B
    3. Housing
      C
    4. Nightlife
      A
    5. Good for Families
      A-
    6. Diversity
      B+
    7. Jobs
      B-
    8. Weather
      A-
    9. Cost of Living
      D+
    10. Health & Fitness
      A+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A
    12. Commute
      B
    View Full Report Card
    Scotts Valley is a town in California with a population of 11,892. Scotts Valley is in Santa Cruz County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Scotts Valley offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Scotts Valley there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Scotts Valley and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Scotts Valley are highly rated.
    Population
    11,892

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $717,800
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $1,999
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Sparse Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      28%
    • Own
      72%
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    Scotts Valley Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    B
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      75
      282.7
    • Murder
      0
      6.1
    • Rape
      50
      40.7
    • Robbery
      16.7
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      350.1
      500.1
    • Theft
      1,141.9
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      100
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    B+
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      13%
    • 10-17 years
      9%
    • 18-24 years
      13%
    • 25-34 years
      9%
    • 35-44 years
      12%
    • 45-54 years
      15%
    • 55-64 years
      13%
    • 65+ years
      16%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      18%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      37%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      30%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      11%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      3%
      13%

    Working in Scotts Valley

    Jobs
    B-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $101,404
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Scotts Valley
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    Scotts Valley Reviews

    41 reviews
    All Categories
    I am a high school senior in Scotts Valley. I have felt very safe growing up here. It is easy to find things to do around Scotts Valley, such as nightlife and beaches in Santa Cruz and proximity to the redwoods of Felton. The education at the public high school is great, and the middle school was recently renovated. Scotts Valley itself also has a handful of job opportunities for young people. I would say that Scotts Valley is a great place for a family to live. I am very happy and thankful for my opportunity to live in Scotts Valley.
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    Surrounded by beautiful nature, the hills of trees and wild life everywhere gives this town the most amazing, peaceful atmosphere. I have only been living here for a little over a year, and I have to say it has been such an amazing experience. Small town, population of only around 11,000, however Santa Cruz is about a 10 to 15 minute drive and there are countless actives that one can do there. Not to mention the amazing beaches surrounded all around us!
    I have lived in Scotts Valley since I was two and I do not have anything negative to say about it. Scotts Valley is a great small town with a very nice community. The schools around this town are very safe and provide a beneficial education for all kinds of kids. Most of the people I have met have all been very open-minded and kind. There is a mix of conservative and liberal views within this town. It is very close to Santa Cruz, which is a very liberal town. There is not much to do in Scotts Valley, but it is only a ten-minute drive to Santa Cruz where there is a lot more to do, including tons of beaches and activities.
    Given that it is this close to the beach and the town is nice, the price to live here is a little higher than average. In Scotts Valley itself, there are not that many job opportunities, but a lot of people commute over the hill to the San Jose area. Overall, Scotts Valley is a great town to grow up and live in.