Summerland, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Summerland, California had a total population of 1,348, the 988th largest community in California, with a median household income of $95,694, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
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 20.9x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 12.0% is notably above the national average.
Summerland Quick Facts
How Summerland 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 | 1,248 | 1,348 | +8.0% |
| Median household income | $133,083 | $95,694 | -28.1% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Summerland 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+)
Summerland 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 Summerland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolinas | 1,334 | $100,625 | $2,000,000+ | 59.8% | 9.1% |
| Quincy | 1,317 | $89,000 | $300,500 | 20.2% | 9.2% |
| Grizzly Flats | 1,410 | $92,004 | $384,400 | 29.5% | 1.6% |
| Brookdale | 1,378 | $87,358 | $881,700 | 47.8% | 14.0% |
| Clay | 1,302 | $102,847 | $796,100 | 16.8% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Summerland is a small community located in California, within Santa Barbara County. The total population is 1,348. It ranks as the 988th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Summerland is 53.4 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 14.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.6% 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 Summerland is $95,694. This is 3% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 19% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.0%. This is 82% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 172% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 20.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Summerland is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.4%.
Education
61.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 94.0%. Notably, 28.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Summerland, 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 Summerland, California?
Summerland, California has a population of 1,348 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Summerland, CA?
The median household income in Summerland is $95,694, which is 19% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Summerland, CA?
The poverty rate in Summerland is 12.2%. This means approximately 164 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Summerland, California?
Summerland's population is 44.5% White, 0.0% Black, 36.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Summerland, CA?
The median home value in Summerland is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 20.9x.
How educated is Summerland, California?
61.9% of adults (25+) in Summerland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 28.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.