Day Valley, California

Day Valley
census-designated place
Location in Santa Cruz County and the state of California
Day Valley Location in the United States
Coordinates: 37°0′32″N121°51′24″W / 37.00889°N 121.85667°W / 37.00889; -121.85667
Country	United States
State	California
County	Santa Cruz
Area [1]
• Total	18.50 sq mi (47.92 km2)
• Land	18.50 sq mi (47.92 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0%
Elevation	1,316 ft (401 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,410
• Density	184.29/sq mi (71.16/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	95003
Area code	831
FIPS code	06-18153
GNIS feature ID	1867010

Day Valley is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 3,410 at the 2020 census.

Geography

Day Valley is located at 37°0′32″N121°51′24″W / 37.00889°N 121.85667°W / 37.00889; -121.85667 (37.008820, -121.856544). ^[2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.5 square miles (48 km²), most of which is forest and meadows, with a creek at the crossroads of Valencia Rd. and Day Valley Rd.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1990	2,842		—
2000	3,587		26.2%
2010	3,409		−5.0%
2020	3,410		0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [3] 1990 [4] 2000 [5] 2010 [6]

The 2020 United States census reported that Day Valley had a population of 3,410. The population density was 184.3 inhabitants per square mile (71.2/km²). The racial makeup of Day Valley was 75.2% White, 0.6% African American, 1.1% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 8.2% from other races, and 12.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.8% of the population. ^[7]

The census reported that 99.1% of the population lived in households, 0.6% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.2% were institutionalized. ^[7]

There were 1,254 households, out of which 22.1% included children under the age of 18, 55.8% were married-couple households, 7.0% were cohabiting couple households, 22.3% had a female householder with no partner present, and 14.8% had a male householder with no partner present. 20.4% of households were one person, and 13.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.7. ^[7] There were 896 families (71.5% of all households). ^[8]

The age distribution was 17.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% aged 18 to 24, 21.3% aged 25 to 44, 26.5% aged 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. ^[7]

There were 1,349 housing units at an average density of 72.9 units per square mile (28.1 units/km²), of which 1,254 (93.0%) were occupied. Of these, 74.5% were owner-occupied, and 25.5% were occupied by renters. ^[7]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $150,256, and the per capita income was $62,813. About 5.5% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line. ^[9]

Government

In the California State Legislature, Day Valley is in the 17th senatorial district , represented by Democrat John Laird, and in the 30th Assembly district , represented by Democrat Dawn Addis. ^[10]

In the United States House of Representatives, Day Valley is in California's 19th congressional district , represented by Democrat Jimmy Panetta. ^[11]

Local history

Many early settlers to Day Valley (including some members of the Day and Cox families) are buried in a small cemetery in the Forest and Meadows neighborhood, at the corner of Meadow Road and Downing Drive. Cox Road and Day Valley Road are named after these families.

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
2. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
3. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
4. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
5. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
6. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
7. "Day Valley CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
8. "Day Valley CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
9. "Day Valley CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
10. "Final Maps | California Citizens Redistricting Commission" . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
11. "California's 19th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.