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Scotts Valley

city

Scotts Valley is a small city nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Santa Cruz County, California, approximately 30 miles south of San Jose and 6 miles north of Santa Cruz. As of 2020, the city had a population of 12,224. Known for its redwood forests and rolling hills, Scotts Valley offers a blend of natural beauty and a family-friendly atmosphere. Scotts Valley's economy has evolved from early industries like lumber and tanning to a focus on technology and residential/commercial real estate. Key employment sectors include technology, healthcare, retail, and education. Major employers in the area include Bay Photo Lab, Threshold Enterprises, and Central California Alliance for Health. Scotts Valley is distinctive for its rich history, dating back thousands of years with evidence of Ohlone settlements. Named after Hiram Daniel Scott, who purchased the valley in 1850, the city retains historical landmarks like the Scott House. The city also boasts a high quality of life, excellent schools, and numerous parks and recreational facilities.

Scotts Valley, California

Overview

Classification: City
FIPS Code: 06-70588
Country: United States
County: Santa Cruz

Geography

Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Elevation: 527 ft
Total Area: 4.62 sq mi
Land Area: 4.62 sq mi
Water Area: 0 sq mi
Latitude: 37.05139
Longitude: -122.01333
Climate: Mild Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Fog and low overcast are common, especially in the summer.
Notable Features: Santa Cruz Mountains · Carbonera Creek · Northern California coastal forests
Neighboring Areas: Santa Cruz · Los Gatos · Felton · Mount Hermon

Demographics

Population (2020): 12,224
Est. Population (2026): 11,630
Median Age: 47.3
Median Income: $143,750
Poverty Rate: 5.9%
Owner-Occupied: 73.6%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: The racial makeup of Scotts Valley is 73.7% White, 8.15% Asian, 0.57% Black or African American, and 13.92% Two or more races. 14.12% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Governance

Government Type: Council-Manager
Governing Body: City Council
Body Size: 5 members
School District: Scotts Valley Unified School District
Municipal Services: Police · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Planning · Building Department · Wastewater Treatment

U.S. Congress

Padilla, Alex

Schiff, Adam B.

Schiff, Adam B.D

U.S. Representative

Huffman, Jared

Huffman, JaredD

U.S. Representative - District 2

Kiley, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 3

Thompson, Mike

Thompson, MikeD

U.S. Representative - District 4

McClintock, Tom

McClintock, TomR

U.S. Representative - District 5

Bera, Ami

U.S. Representative - District 6

Matsui, Doris O.

Matsui, Doris O.D

U.S. Representative - District 7

Garamendi, John

Garamendi, JohnD

U.S. Representative - District 8

Harder, Josh

U.S. Representative - District 9

DeSaulnier, Mark

DeSaulnier, MarkD

U.S. Representative - District 10

Pelosi, Nancy

U.S. Representative - District 11

Simon, Lateefah

Simon, LateefahD

U.S. Representative - District 12

Mullin, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 15

Khanna, Ro

U.S. Representative - District 17

Lofgren, Zoe

U.S. Representative - District 18

Panetta, Jimmy

Panetta, JimmyD

U.S. Representative - District 19

Fong, Vince

U.S. Representative - District 20

Costa, Jim

U.S. Representative - District 21

Valadao, David G.

Valadao, David G.R

U.S. Representative - District 22

Obernolte, Jay

Obernolte, JayR

U.S. Representative - District 23

Carbajal, Salud O.

Carbajal, Salud O.D

U.S. Representative - District 24

Ruiz, Raul

U.S. Representative - District 25

Brownley, Julia

Brownley, JuliaD

U.S. Representative - District 26

Whitesides, George

Whitesides, GeorgeD

U.S. Representative - District 27

Chu, Judy

U.S. Representative - District 28

Rivas, Luz M.

U.S. Representative - District 29

Friedman, Laura

Friedman, LauraD

U.S. Representative - District 30

Cisneros, Gilbert Ray

Cisneros, Gilbert RayD

U.S. Representative - District 31

Sherman, Brad

U.S. Representative - District 32

Aguilar, Pete

U.S. Representative - District 33

Gomez, Jimmy

U.S. Representative - District 34

Torres, Norma J.

Torres, Norma J.D

U.S. Representative - District 35

Lieu, Ted

U.S. Representative - District 36

Kamlager-Dove, Sydney

Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD

U.S. Representative - District 37

Sánchez, Linda T.

Sánchez, Linda T.D

U.S. Representative - District 38

Takano, Mark

U.S. Representative - District 39

Kim, Young

U.S. Representative - District 40

Calvert, Ken

U.S. Representative - District 41

Garcia, Robert

Garcia, RobertD

U.S. Representative - District 42

Waters, Maxine

Waters, MaxineD

U.S. Representative - District 43

Barragán, Nanette Diaz

Barragán, Nanette DiazD

U.S. Representative - District 44

Tran, Derek

U.S. Representative - District 45

Correa, J. Luis

Correa, J. LuisD

U.S. Representative - District 46

Min, Dave

U.S. Representative - District 47

Issa, Darrell

U.S. Representative - District 48

Levin, Mike

U.S. Representative - District 49

Peters, Scott H.

Peters, Scott H.D

U.S. Representative - District 50

Jacobs, Sara

U.S. Representative - District 51

Vargas, Juan

U.S. Representative - District 52

Economy

Economic Profile: Residential · Commercial · High-Tech
Employment Sectors: Technology · Healthcare · Retail · Education
Major Employers: Bay Photo Lab · Threshold Enterprises Ltd · Central California Alliance For Health · Easton-Bell Sports, Inc · Embarcadero Technologies, Inc

Education

Schools: 4
Students: 2,700
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
School Districts: Scotts Valley Unified School District

Infrastructure

Transportation: State Route 17 · Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) buses · E-bikes
Utilities: Scotts Valley Water District · Wastewater Treatment Plant · Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) · Xfinity · AT&T
Major Facilities: Community Center · Senior Center

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Skypark · Siltanen Park · Glenwood Open Space Preserves · Lodato Park Trail · Hocus Pocus Park · MacDorsa Park · Vern Hart Fishing Park · Dog Park
Parks & Trails: Skypark · Siltanen Park · Hocus Pocus Park · MacDorsa Park · Lodato Park Trail · Vern Hart Fishing Park · Dog Park · Glenwood Open Space Preserves

History

Founded: 1850
Incorporated: 1966
Named After: Hiram Daniel Scott
Historical Significance: Scotts Valley represents a transition from early Californian settlement and industry to a modern residential and tech-driven community.
Key Events: Ohlone people occupied the area around 2000 BC · Hiram Daniel Scott purchased Rancho San Agustin in 1850 · Santa's Village operated from 1957-1979 · City incorporated in 1966