Ballard, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ballard, California had a total population of 863, the 1106th largest community in California, with a median household income of $140,833, which is 42% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 12.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 9.5% is notably above the national average.
Ballard Quick Facts
How Ballard Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 529 | 863 | No clear change (+63.1%) |
| Median household income | $153,069 | $140,833 | No clear change (-8.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $1,125,852 | $1,742,200 | No clear change (+54.7%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,948 | $2,563 | No clear change (+31.6%) |
How Ballard Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 81.3%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 7.6%
- Asian: 4.1%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 6.2%
- HS Diploma: 8.3%
- Some College: 11.9%
- Associate's: 20.6%
- Bachelor's: 22.4%
- Graduate+: 30.6%
Ballard Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Barbara County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria | 110,462 | $84,746 | 17.3% | $531,700 |
| Santa Barbara | 87,779 | $106,182 | 14.0% | $1,570,800 |
| Lompoc | 43,646 | $72,004 | 17.3% | $472,900 |
| Goleta | 32,685 | $122,370 | 9.3% | $1,062,100 |
| Orcutt | 31,454 | $111,416 | 8.0% | $624,500 |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | 28,295 | $146,284 | 7.9% | $1,361,700 |
| Isla Vista | 13,920 | $25,972 | 70.4% | $1,218,800 |
| Carpinteria | 13,036 | $100,658 | 7.0% | $1,043,100 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 12,121 | $69,327 | 17.5% | $452,900 |
| Montecito | 9,031 | $231,005 | 8.3% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Ballard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proberta | 865 | N/A | $366,100 | 9.5% | 25.7% |
| Challenge-Brownsville | 887 | N/A | $344,200 | 0.0% | 21.1% |
| Smith River | 898 | N/A | $382,200 | 6.6% | 16.9% |
| Tres Pinos | 901 | N/A | $1,036,000 | 38.7% | 0.2% |
| Inyokern | 912 | N/A | $292,900 | 13.0% | 22.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 863, Ballard's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Ballard is a small community located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 863. It ranks as the 1106th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ballard is 42.3 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ballard is $140,833. This is 42% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 74% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.5%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,742,200. Housing costs are 137% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 12.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 73.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ballard is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.3% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
53.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.8%. Notably, 30.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ballard, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ballard, California?
Ballard, California has a population of 863 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ballard, CA?
The median household income in Ballard is $140,833, which is 74% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ballard, CA?
The poverty rate in Ballard is 15.2%. This means approximately 129 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ballard, California?
Ballard's population is 81.3% White, 0.0% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ballard, CA?
The median home value in Ballard is $1,742,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 12.4x.
How educated is Ballard, California?
53.0% of adults (25+) in Ballard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.