New Research on Santa Cruz County

By CSRC and Latina Futures 2050 Lab

November 5, 2025

The UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, Latina Futures 2050 Lab, and other collaborators, including the UC Santa Cruz Center for Labor and Community, have been conducting research in Santa Cruz County. Among the most recent findings, presented in the fact sheets below, are preliminary survey results pertaining to Cabrillo College students’ demographics, labor experiences, and self-identification. More findings forthcoming!

New fact sheets (for PDFs, see Related Materials at right):

Latina Wage Gap Disparities Across California Counties research graphic with text and a bar chart comparing Latina wages across counties.

Cabrillo College Student Worker Fact Sheet with survey findings, colorful charts, and graphics about student union membership and interest.

Pie chart showing Cabrillo College students' interest in joining a union, with 43% union curious, 38% interested, and 19% not interested.

Infographic stating 1 in 10 Latinx students at Cabrillo College identify as Indigenous, illustrated with ten black figures.

Recently published reports:

The Latina Wage Gap in Santa Cruz County (2025)

Unstable Hours, Unstable Lives: The Scheduling Crisis Facing Young Workers in Santa Cruz County (2025)

Union-Curious Young Workers in Santa Cruz County (2025)

Working with Pride: Young LGBTQ+ Workers, Labor Violations, and Safety Concerns (2025)