San Benito County is a county located in the California Coast Range Mountains south of San Jose. As of 2000 the population was 53,234. The county seat is Hollister.
As housing costs have gone up in the San Francisco Bay Area, commuters have begun moving to San Benito County.
History
San Benito County was formed from parts of Monterey County in 1874.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,602 km² (1,391 mi²). 3,598 km² (1,389 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.12% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 53,234 people, 15,885 households, and 12,898 families residing in the county. The population density is 15/km² (38/mi²). There are 16,499 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 65.17% White, 1.08% Black or African American, 1.16% Native American, 2.40% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 24.87% from other races, and 5.14% from two or more races. 47.93% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,885 households out of which 46.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.70% are married couples living together, 10.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 18.80% are non-families. 14.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.32 and the average family size is 3.64.
In the county the population is spread out with 32.20% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 19.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $57,469, and the median income for a family is $60,665. Males have a median income of $44,158 versus $29,524 for females. The per capita income for the county is $20,932. 10.00% of the population and 6.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.40% are under the age of 18 and 8.50% are 65 or older.
