Eastern Goleta Valley CDP, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Eastern Goleta Valley CDP is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 29,411. It ranks as the 274th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Eastern Goleta Valley CDP is 44.9 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Eastern Goleta Valley CDP is $136,839. This is 42% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 74% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,192,000. Housing costs are 71% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.7x 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 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Eastern Goleta Valley CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (62.4% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

51.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.9%. Notably, 23.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Eastern Goleta Valley CDP, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.