Buellton, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buellton, California had a total population of 5,074, the 656th largest city in California, with a median household income of $99,936, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.4x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Buellton Quick Facts
How Buellton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,090 | 5,074 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $96,028 | $99,936 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $704,200 | $837,400 | +18.9% |
How Buellton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buellton 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 Buellton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denair | 4,914 | $98,750 | $429,800 | 18.9% | 18.8% |
| Mayflower Village | 4,950 | $105,242 | $889,200 | 38.7% | 8.4% |
| Yosemite Lakes | 5,288 | $97,813 | $374,000 | 35.4% | 7.3% |
| Twin Lakes (Santa Cruz County) | 5,073 | $90,087 | $959,100 | 48.4% | 10.6% |
| Tara Hills | 4,840 | $101,747 | $661,200 | 30.7% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Buellton is a small city located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 5,074. It ranks as the 656th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buellton is 39.0 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buellton is $99,936. This is about the same as the state median of $99,122. It is also 24% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $837,400. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Buellton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (65.9% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
39.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 91.5%. Notably, 15.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buellton, 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 Buellton, California?
Buellton, California has a population of 5,074 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buellton, CA?
The median household income in Buellton is $99,936, which is 24% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buellton, CA?
The poverty rate in Buellton is 4.9%. This means approximately 248 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buellton, California?
Buellton's population is 65.9% White, 0.9% Black, 26.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buellton, CA?
The median home value in Buellton is $837,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.4x.
How educated is Buellton, California?
39.4% of adults (25+) in Buellton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.