Goleta, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Goleta, California had a total population of 32,685, the 252nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $122,370, which is 23% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
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 8.7x the median household income.
Goleta Quick Facts
How Goleta 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 | 32,693 | 32,685 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $118,039 | $122,370 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $1,002,500 | $1,062,100 | +5.9% |
How Goleta 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+)
Goleta 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 |
| 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+ |
| Guadalupe | 8,566 | $66,930 | 27.7% | $495,600 |
Cities Similar to Goleta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Oaks | 32,799 | $116,975 | $683,000 | 48.7% | 7.2% |
| Beverly Hills | 31,624 | $132,977 | $2,000,000+ | 69.9% | 9.6% |
| Dana Point | 32,790 | $141,520 | $1,320,300 | 56.6% | 7.2% |
| Spring Valley (San Diego County) | 31,969 | $109,110 | $714,700 | 32.5% | 9.5% |
| Temescal Valley | 30,069 | $122,051 | $710,400 | 35.8% | 4.5% |
Population Overview
Goleta is a mid-sized community located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 32,685. It ranks as the 252nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Goleta is 36.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Goleta is $122,370. This is 23% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 52% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,062,100. Housing costs are 45% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Goleta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.7%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
49.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 89.7%. Notably, 21.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Goleta, 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 Goleta, California?
Goleta, California has a population of 32,685 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Goleta, CA?
The median household income in Goleta is $122,370, which is 52% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Goleta, CA?
The poverty rate in Goleta is 9.3%. This means approximately 3,014 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Goleta, California?
Goleta's population is 45.9% White, 1.6% Black, 36.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Goleta, CA?
The median home value in Goleta is $1,062,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.7x.
How educated is Goleta, California?
49.4% of adults (25+) in Goleta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.