Santa Barbara, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Santa Barbara, California had a total population of 87,779, the 95th largest city in California, with a median household income of $106,182, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 14.8x the median household income.
Santa Barbara Quick Facts
How Santa Barbara Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,376 | 87,779 | -3.9% |
| Median household income | $94,280 | $106,182 | +12.6% |
| Median home value¹ | $1,294,089 | $1,570,800 | +21.4% |
| Median gross rent | $2,198 | $2,413 | +9.8% |
How Santa Barbara Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 52.8%
- Black: 1.4%
- Hispanic: 36.4%
- Asian: 3.5%
- Other: 1.0%
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+)
- < High School: 10.8%
- HS Diploma: 12.2%
- Some College: 18.0%
- Associate's: 7.0%
- Bachelor's: 29.7%
- Graduate+: 22.3%
Santa Barbara 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 |
| 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+ |
| Guadalupe | 8,566 | $66,930 | 27.7% | $495,600 |
Cities Similar to Santa Barbara
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Leandro | 87,826 | $101,420 | $844,200 | 33.3% | 8.3% |
| Manteca | 89,043 | $97,055 | $589,900 | 21.7% | 9.5% |
| Chino | 92,652 | $104,682 | $683,400 | 27.2% | 8.0% |
| Whittier | 86,165 | $97,201 | $822,600 | 29.5% | 9.1% |
| Carson | 92,871 | $108,703 | $704,400 | 29.3% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Santa Barbara is a mid-sized community located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 87,779. It ranks as the 95th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santa Barbara is 39.7 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santa Barbara is $106,182. This is 7% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 32% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,570,800. Housing costs are 114% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 14.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 39.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Barbara is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (52.8% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
51.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 89.2%. Notably, 22.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara, California?
Santa Barbara, California has a population of 87,779 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santa Barbara, CA?
The median household income in Santa Barbara is $106,182, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Santa Barbara, CA?
The poverty rate in Santa Barbara is 14.0%. This means approximately 12,194 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santa Barbara, California?
Santa Barbara's population is 52.8% White, 1.4% Black, 36.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santa Barbara, CA?
The median home value in Santa Barbara is $1,570,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 14.8x.
How educated is Santa Barbara, California?
51.9% of adults (25+) in Santa Barbara hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.