Guadalupe, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Guadalupe, California had a total population of 8,566, the 528th largest city in California, with a median household income of $66,930, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 14.4% is notably above the national average.
Guadalupe Quick Facts
How Guadalupe 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 | 8,422 | 8,566 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $71,048 | $66,930 | -5.8% |
| Median home value | $452,100 | $495,600 | +9.6% |
How Guadalupe 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Guadalupe 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 Guadalupe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Athens | 8,726 | $67,201 | $718,100 | 24.4% | 15.3% |
| Orland | 8,357 | $64,945 | $342,200 | 11.6% | 16.9% |
| Midway City | 7,999 | $66,635 | $788,600 | 19.4% | 18.0% |
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| Fort Irwin | 8,419 | $76,107 | N/A | 34.8% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Guadalupe is a small city located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 8,566. It ranks as the 528th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Guadalupe is 28.2 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 38.5% of the population under 18, Guadalupe has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Guadalupe is $66,930. This is 32% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.7%. This is 131% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 14.4%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $495,600. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Guadalupe has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (89.8% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
9.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% lower 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 52.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Guadalupe, 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 Guadalupe, California?
Guadalupe, California has a population of 8,566 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Guadalupe, CA?
The median household income in Guadalupe is $66,930, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Guadalupe, CA?
The poverty rate in Guadalupe is 27.7%. This means approximately 2,349 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Guadalupe, California?
Guadalupe's population is 7.1% White, 0.0% Black, 89.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Guadalupe, CA?
The median home value in Guadalupe is $495,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Guadalupe, California?
9.3% of adults (25+) in Guadalupe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.