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CITY

Buellton

California · 5,158 residents (2025 est.) · 1.582 sq mi
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The short version

Buellton is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $99,936. Population has grown 33% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $837,400. Poverty is rare here, at 4.9% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 95%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,074
+33%since 2000
from 3,828 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,207 / sq mi
+33%since 2000
from 2,420 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
+3%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,158 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Buellton
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$99,936
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,490 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$47,615
+128%since 2000
from $20,907 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
71.0%
+21.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.9%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.362
−9%since 2010
from 0.400 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information8.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$837,400
+95%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $235,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,194
+66%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $725 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.7%
−14.9 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
41.3% rent
Vacancy rate
13.6%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.4
+73%since 2000
from 4.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
63
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buellton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic69.7%(2,670)
Black0.3%(12)
Hispanic / Latino25.7%(985)
Asian1.1%(42)
Other0%
Diversity Score51.4%(1,967)
2024
White, non-Hispanic65.9%(3,343)
Black0.9%(48)
Hispanic / Latino26.1%(1,325)
Asian1.6%(81)
Other5.5%(277)
Diversity Score61.8%(3,136)
Diversity Score
62
+20%since 2000
from 51 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
39.4%
+19.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.5%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 80.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
15.7%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.4 min
+64%since 2000
from 17.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.6%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.6%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.9%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.2%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
76.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 77.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
26.2%
+13.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.4%
−22.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
51.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
17.5%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.3%
−44.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2012
from 9.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.6%
−74.5 ptssince 2013
from 80.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.3%
+9.8 ptssince 2017
from 87.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
71.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2016
from 73.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
25.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2016
from 23.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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BUELLTON VS
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BUELLTON VS
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BUELLTON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Buellton, California?

Buellton, California has about 5,074 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buellton, California?

The typical household in Buellton, California earns about $99,936 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buellton, California expensive?

In Buellton, California, the median home is worth about $837,400, and the typical rent is about $2,194 a month.

How educated are people in Buellton, California?

About 39.4% of adults age 25 and over in Buellton, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buellton, California?

About 4.9% of people in Buellton, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buellton, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Buellton, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,568 residents, a change of about 45 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →