Capitola is a city located in Santa Cruz County, California on the coast of Monterey Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,033.

It is a popular tourist town because of its trendy shops and restaurants on the shore directly connecting to a fishing wharf and a large, sandy beach.

Geography

Capitola is located at 36°58'35" North, 121°57'17" West (36.976250, -121.954750)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 km² (1.7 mi²). 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.14% water.

Capitola sits on the northeast shore of Monterey Bay. Steep cliffs mark access to several popular beaches, including New Brighton Beach, or drop directly to the rocky shoreline of the Bay. Downtown Capitola sits in a depression among the cliffs so that the popular tourist and shopping area leads directly to Capitola Beach. Colorful houses and hotels line the slopes of the town leading back up to the higher clifftops.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 10,033 people, 4,692 households, and 2,280 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,406.1/km² (6,220.2/mi²). There are 5,309 housing units at an average density of 1,273.2/km² (3,291.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 83.84% White, 1.17% African American, 0.57% Native American, 4.00% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 5.53% from other races, and 4.69% from two or more races. 12.63% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,692 households out of which 22.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.1% are married couples living together, 11.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 51.4% are non-families. 37.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.11 and the average family size is 2.79.

In the city the population is spread out with 18.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $46,048, and the median income for a family is $59,473. Males have a median income of $47,879 versus $35,444 for females. The per capita income for the city is $27,609. 7.0% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=36.97625&longitude=_121.95475&zoom=6)
  • Topographic map from Topozone (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=36.97625&lon=_121.95475&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100)
  • Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver (http://terraserver.microsoft.com/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=_121.95475&lat=36.97625&w=750&h=500)