Isla Vista CDP, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Isla Vista CDP is a small city located in California. The total population is 13,717. It ranks as the 422nd most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Isla Vista CDP is 21.2 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. Only 2.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Isla Vista CDP is $24,428. This is 75% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 69% lower. The poverty rate stands at 69.3%. This is 479% 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 17.1%. This is 166% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,241,700. Housing costs are 79% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 50.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 1.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 98% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Isla Vista CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (53.2% vs 34.6%).

Education

40.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 90.6%. Notably, 20.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Isla Vista 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.