Isla Vista, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Isla Vista, California had a total population of 13,920, the 418th largest community in California, with a median household income of $25,972, which is 74% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 70.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 74% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (70.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 46.9x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 17.4% is notably above the national average.
Isla Vista Quick Facts
How Isla Vista 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 | 13,717 | 13,920 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $24,428 | $25,972 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $1,241,700 | $1,218,800 | -1.8% |
How Isla Vista 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+)
Isla Vista 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 |
| 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 Isla Vista
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamont | 13,164 | $37,217 | $220,700 | 4.6% | 35.4% |
| Grass Valley | 14,113 | $51,764 | $482,200 | 32.8% | 22.1% |
| Red Bluff | 14,549 | $51,529 | $299,900 | 11.7% | 18.8% |
| Parlier | 14,507 | $52,357 | $256,400 | 5.6% | 27.1% |
| McFarland | 14,222 | $54,608 | $272,700 | 6.0% | 24.1% |
Population Overview
Isla Vista is a small city located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 13,920. It ranks as the 418th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Isla Vista is 21.2 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 1.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Isla Vista is $25,972. This is 74% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 68% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 70.4%. This is 486% 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 17.4%. This is 163% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,218,800. Housing costs are 66% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 46.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 1.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 98% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Isla Vista is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (54.5% vs 33.8%).
Education
43.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 91.3%. Notably, 22.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Isla Vista, 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 Isla Vista, California?
Isla Vista, California has a population of 13,920 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Isla Vista, CA?
The median household income in Isla Vista is $25,972, which is 68% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Isla Vista, CA?
The poverty rate in Isla Vista is 70.4%. This means approximately 8,444 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Isla Vista, California?
Isla Vista's population is 54.5% White, 4.6% Black, 20.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Isla Vista, CA?
The median home value in Isla Vista is $1,218,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 46.9x.
How educated is Isla Vista, California?
43.7% of adults (25+) in Isla Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.