2026 Compare Cities People:
Chicago, IL vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
- Santa Cruz is 0% more densely populated than Chicago.
- People are 15.8% less likely to be married in Santa Cruz.
- The Median Age is 6.1 years younger in Santa Cruz.
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,714329,725,481
 Female Population51.2%  Unlock50.5%
 Male Population48.8%  Unlock49.5%
 Median Age  Unlock2938.4
 space3
 Population - 20102,697,480  Unlock309,327,143
 Population - 2000  Unlock54,593285,036,114
 Population - 19902,783,726  Unlock251,960,433
 Pop. 2000 to Now  Unlock17.8%15.6%
 Pop. 1990 to Now-3.8%  Unlock30.8%
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 Population Density  Unlock4,922.693.4
 Land Area227.4  Unlock3,531,905.4
 Water Area  Unlock3.1264,836.8
 space
 Est. Total Population By Age
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Age 0 to 45.9%  Unlock5.9%
 Age 5 to 9  Unlock3.3%6.1%
 Age 10 to 145.8%  Unlock6.6%
 Age 15 to 17  Unlock2.6%3.9%
 Age 18 to 203.6%  Unlock4.0%
 Age 21 to 24  Unlock13.9%5.2%
 Age 25 to 3419.8%  Unlock13.8%
 Age 35 to 44  Unlock10.2%12.9%
 Age 45 to 5411.9%  Unlock12.6%
 Age 55 to 59  Unlock5.1%6.7%
 Age 60 to 645.4%  Unlock6.3%
 Age 65 to 74  Unlock8.3%9.6%
 Age 75 to 843.6%  Unlock4.5%
 Age 85 and over  Unlock1.4%1.9%
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 Race
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 White33.1%  Unlock59.4%
 Black  Unlock1.8%12.2%
 Asian6.8%  Unlock5.6%
 Native American  Unlock0.1%0.6%
 Hawaiian, Pacific Islander0.0%  Unlock0.2%
 Other  Unlock0.5%0.4%
 Two or More Races2.2%  Unlock3.2%
 Hispanic  Unlock21.1%18.4%
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 Marriage & Family
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Married Population37.8%  Unlock49.8%
     Currently Married  Unlock30.8%48.0%
 Married but Separated2.3%  Unlock1.8%
 Single Population  Unlock68.1%50.2%
 Never Married48.9%  Unlock33.8%
 Divorced  Unlock8.7%10.8%
 Widowed5.0%  Unlock5.6%
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 Household Size  Unlock2.372.60
 Households1,112,581  Unlock124,010,992
 Family Households  Unlock10,40980,755,759
     Married couple, w/children27.1%  Unlock30.5%
     Married couple, no children  Unlock48.8%42.9%
 Non Family Households537,756  Unlock43,255,233
     Single householder, w/children  Unlock13.2%15.8%
     Single householder, no children17.1%  Unlock10.8%
Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

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Over 6 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

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I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

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