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CITY

Carpinteria

California · 12,734 residents (2025 est.) · 2.588 sq mi
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Part of the Santa Maria metro area
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Notable rankings
#234Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,043,100
The short version

Carpinteria is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $100,658. Population has declined 8% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $1,043,100. With a median age of 44.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 90%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
13,036
−8%since 2000
from 14,194 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,037 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 5,485 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.8
+25%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,734 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
13K13K14K14K14K1990201020202024Carpinteria
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$100,658
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,729 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$54,901
+155%since 2000
from $21,563 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
66.0%
+29.7 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.446
−1%since 2010
from 0.449 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade10.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,043,100
+90%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $300,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,377
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $938 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
61.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 58.7% in 2000
38.5% rent
Vacancy rate
15.2%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
30.2%
−16.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.5%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
10.4
+64%since 2000
from 6.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
65
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carpinteria on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic51.2%(7,266)
Black0.5%(74)
Hispanic / Latino43.5%(6,175)
Asian2.3%(331)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.6%(9,317)
2024
White, non-Hispanic50%(6,521)
Black0.9%(121)
Hispanic / Latino43.3%(5,640)
Asian2%(258)
Other3.8%(496)
Diversity Score70.1%(9,136)
Diversity Score
70
+7%since 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.0%
+17.5 ptssince 2000
from 26.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.8%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 76.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
17.4%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.9 min
+72%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 68.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.8%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.4%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−10.5 ptssince 2011
from 71.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
46.5%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
48.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
21.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.3%
−46.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
7.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2012
from 9.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.9%
−72.7 ptssince 2013
from 78.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.8%
+11.1 ptssince 2017
from 84.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
63.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 61.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
32.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 33.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Carpinteria to nearby cities

CARPINTERIA VS
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Income$231,005+129%
Home value$2,000,001+92%
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CARPINTERIA VS
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Income$106,182+5%
Home value$1,570,800+51%
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CARPINTERIA VS
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Income$103,069+2%
Home value$827,300−21%
Population109,914+763%
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CARPINTERIA VS
Eastern Goleta Valley
Income$146,284+45%
Home value$1,361,700+31%
Population28,295+122%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Carpinteria, California?

Carpinteria, California has about 13,036 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Carpinteria, California?

The typical household in Carpinteria, California earns about $100,658 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Carpinteria, California expensive?

In Carpinteria, California, the median home is worth about $1,043,100, and the typical rent is about $2,377 a month.

How educated are people in Carpinteria, California?

About 44.0% of adults age 25 and over in Carpinteria, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Carpinteria, California?

About 7.0% of people in Carpinteria, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Carpinteria, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Carpinteria, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 711 residents, a change of about -5 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 →