Carpinteria, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carpinteria, California had a total population of 13,036, the 432nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $100,658, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.4x the median household income.
Carpinteria Quick Facts
How Carpinteria 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 | 13,100 | 13,036 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $104,233 | $100,658 | -3.4% |
| Median home value | $965,200 | $1,043,100 | +8.1% |
How Carpinteria 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carpinteria 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 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 12,121 | $69,327 | 17.5% | $452,900 |
| Montecito | 9,031 | $231,005 | 8.3% | $2,000,000+ |
| Guadalupe | 8,566 | $66,930 | 27.7% | $495,600 |
Cities Similar to Carpinteria
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Fair Oaks | 13,100 | $104,884 | $1,276,900 | 28.0% | 13.0% |
| Avocado Heights | 12,593 | $92,155 | $725,000 | 23.0% | 11.5% |
| Emeryville | 13,081 | $117,092 | $604,800 | 70.5% | 13.8% |
| Salida | 13,900 | $94,935 | $461,100 | 19.6% | 8.2% |
| Grand Terrace | 13,078 | $83,628 | $517,600 | 28.4% | 7.5% |
Population Overview
Carpinteria is a small city located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 13,036. It ranks as the 432nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carpinteria is 44.8 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carpinteria is $100,658. This is 2% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.0%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,043,100. Housing costs are 42% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carpinteria is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 43.3%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
44.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 85.8%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carpinteria, 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 Carpinteria, California?
Carpinteria, California has a population of 13,036 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carpinteria, CA?
The median household income in Carpinteria is $100,658, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carpinteria, CA?
The poverty rate in Carpinteria is 7.0%. This means approximately 900 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carpinteria, California?
Carpinteria's population is 50.0% White, 0.9% Black, 43.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carpinteria, CA?
The median home value in Carpinteria is $1,043,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.4x.
How educated is Carpinteria, California?
44.0% of adults (25+) in Carpinteria hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.