Los Alamos, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Los Alamos, California had a total population of 1,163, the 1020th largest community in California, with a median household income of $79,167, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.8% — among the lowest in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.5x the median household income.
Los Alamos Quick Facts
How Los Alamos 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 | 886 | 1,163 | +31.3% |
| Median household income | $53,673 | $79,167 | +47.5% |
| Median home value | $672,100 | $831,300 | +23.7% |
How Los Alamos 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+)
Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Margarita | 1,149 | N/A | $684,000 | 34.4% | 3.0% |
| Whitewater | 1,181 | $77,898 | $299,400 | 7.9% | 23.4% |
| Pioneer | 1,155 | $75,714 | $462,200 | 29.4% | 6.5% |
| Grayson | 1,182 | $81,635 | $449,000 | 10.7% | 7.0% |
| Fort Hunter Liggett | 1,119 | N/A | N/A | 32.2% | N/A |
Population Overview
Los Alamos is a small community located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 1,163. It ranks as the 1020th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Los Alamos is 58.3 years. This is 54% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 14.8% 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 Los Alamos is $79,167. This is 20% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.8%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $831,300. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Los Alamos has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.7% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Los Alamos, 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 Los Alamos, California?
Los Alamos, California has a population of 1,163 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Los Alamos, CA?
The median household income in Los Alamos is $79,167, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Los Alamos, CA?
The poverty rate in Los Alamos is 2.8%. This means approximately 32 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Los Alamos, California?
Los Alamos's population is 94.7% White, 0.0% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Los Alamos, CA?
The median home value in Los Alamos is $831,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.5x.
How educated is Los Alamos, California?
17.1% of adults (25+) in Los Alamos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.