Santa Barbara County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Santa Barbara County is located in California with a total population of 443,975. It is the 20th most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Santa Barbara County is 34.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Santa Barbara County is $95,977. This is about average than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% higher. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $735,700. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 52.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Barbara County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 47.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

35.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower 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 82.1%.