Neighborhood in Aptos, CA
Is Rio Del Mar a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Aptos, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Median Home Price
$1,716,009
Average Rent
$7,298
Vacancy Rate
34.5%
Overview
Rio Del Mar is a coastal suburban neighborhood in Aptos, California, featuring medium to small single-family homes and townhomes. Most homes were built between 1940 and 1969, with some from 1970 to 1999.
The neighborhood has a high vacancy rate of 34.5%, higher than 96.6% of U.S. neighborhoods, partly due to 30.6% of homes being seasonally occupied, typical of vacation areas.
Rio Del Mar has a strong college presence with 11.1% of residents enrolled in college, ranking higher than 95.6% of U.S. neighborhoods.
English is the dominant language at 91.2%, with Spanish spoken by 5.6%. Portuguese is spoken by 1.2% of residents, a rate higher than 95.7% of U.S. neighborhoods.
CoastalSuburbanHigh VacancyCollege Friendly
Quick Facts
| College Enrollment | 11.1% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Rio Del Mar's housing consists mainly of medium to small single-family homes and townhomes, with most properties owner occupied. The neighborhood experiences a very high vacancy rate, typical of vacation or resort areas.
| Owner Occupied Rate | Majority owner occupied |
|---|---|
| Housing Type | Medium to small single-family homes and townhomes |
| Housing Age | Many homes built between 1940 and 1969, some between 1970 and 1999 |
| Seasonal Occupancy | 30.6% |
What buyers will notice right away
Vacancy is high due to seasonal occupancy, common in vacation areas.
Most homes are older, built between 1940 and 1969.
Families & Lifestyle
Rio Del Mar is a wealthy neighborhood with a notable college student population and very low childhood poverty.
Strong college presence supports a vibrant community.
Very low childhood poverty rate indicates economic stability.
College Friendly — Ranks higher than 95.6% of U.S. neighborhoods for college enrollment.
Wealthy Community — Among the top 15% highest income neighborhoods in the U.S.
| College Enrollment | 11.1% |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
Demographics
| College Enrollment | 11.1% |
|---|---|
| Executive/Professional Occupations | 46.5% |
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| Income Level | Among top 15% highest income neighborhoods in U.S. |
| English Speakers | 91.2% |
| Spanish Speakers | 5.6% |
| Portuguese Speakers | 1.2% |
| Top Ancestries | English (20.3%), German (16.3%), Irish (12.9%), Scottish (10.5%), Italian (9.4%), Canadian (2.9%) |
Commute
Most residents have a relatively short commute, with a majority driving alone to work.
Rio Del Mar offers convenient commutes with a high rate of solo driving and moderate carpooling.
Short Commutes — 49.9% of residents commute between 15 and 30 minutes, shorter than average.
Car Ownership — High drive-alone rate indicates car ownership is common and useful.
| Main Commute Time | 15 to 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 70.3% |
| Carpool Rate | 8.7% |
Homes for sale near 95003
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the vacancy rate so high in Rio Del Mar?
The high vacancy rate of 34.5% is largely due to 30.6% of homes being seasonally occupied, typical of vacation or resort areas.
What types of homes are common in Rio Del Mar?
The neighborhood mainly has medium to small single-family homes and townhomes, mostly owner occupied.