Santa Paula, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Santa Paula, California had a total population of 31,376, the 262nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $79,294, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.7x the median household income.
Santa Paula Quick Facts
How Santa Paula 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 | 31,202 | 31,376 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $77,130 | $79,294 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $559,300 | $611,200 | +9.3% |
How Santa Paula 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+)
Santa Paula Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Ventura County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxnard | 200,928 | $96,212 | 11.1% | $652,700 |
| Simi Valley | 125,634 | $122,081 | 6.4% | $823,800 |
| Thousand Oaks | 125,205 | $135,603 | 8.9% | $991,600 |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura) | 109,857 | $103,069 | 10.4% | $827,300 |
| Camarillo | 70,186 | $113,428 | 8.5% | $827,300 |
| Moorpark | 35,854 | $148,480 | 4.9% | $894,300 |
| Port Hueneme | 21,582 | $92,660 | 11.4% | $587,000 |
| Fillmore | 16,816 | $92,931 | 7.0% | $602,500 |
| Oak Park | 13,757 | $163,085 | 4.2% | $1,036,900 |
| Ojai | 7,577 | $82,656 | 8.2% | $1,016,200 |
Cities Similar to Santa Paula
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Pablo | 31,720 | $79,478 | $551,700 | 16.8% | 12.6% |
| Seaside | 31,814 | $85,311 | $787,100 | 29.6% | 16.0% |
| Lawndale | 30,781 | $85,441 | $781,900 | 20.6% | 13.0% |
| El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | 31,446 | $92,228 | $687,200 | 29.7% | 13.1% |
| Fallbrook | 32,112 | $96,394 | $784,100 | 26.9% | 11.9% |
Population Overview
Santa Paula is a mid-sized community located in California, within Ventura County. The total population is 31,376. It ranks as the 262nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santa Paula is 35.7 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santa Paula is $79,294. 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 14.2%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $611,200. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Paula is Hispanic or Latino, making up 81.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (81.7% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 67.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santa Paula, 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 Paula, California?
Santa Paula, California has a population of 31,376 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santa Paula, CA?
The median household income in Santa Paula is $79,294, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Santa Paula, CA?
The poverty rate in Santa Paula is 14.2%. This means approximately 4,448 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santa Paula, California?
Santa Paula's population is 13.4% White, 1.3% Black, 81.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santa Paula, CA?
The median home value in Santa Paula is $611,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.7x.
How educated is Santa Paula, California?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Santa Paula hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.