Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.)

Situated in Baao, Camarines Sur, Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) is one of 30 barangays that make up the municipality within Bicol Region.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) had a population of 2,961. This made it the 8th largest of 30 barangays in Baao by population, placing it in the upper half of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) accounted for approximately 4.82% of the total population of Baao, which stood at 61,493 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) moving from 2,683 residents to 2,961 residents, an intercensal change of +10.4%. The trajectory indicates a growing community. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Baao is a municipality comprising 30 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.), including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Camarines Sur, which contains 1,063 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) ranks 177th by 2020 population. Camarines Sur is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) is led by an elected Punong Barangay (barangay captain) supported by seven Sangguniang Barangay members (kagawads), an SK Chairperson, a Barangay Secretary, and a Barangay Treasurer. The next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, with officials serving four-year terms under Republic Act No. 12232.