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CITY

Goleta

California · 32,401 residents (2025 est.) · 7.852 sq mi
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Part of the Santa Maria metro area
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Notable rankings
#222Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,062,100
The short version

Goleta is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $122,370. Population has fallen 41% since 2000, a loss of 22,519 residents. 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $1,062,100. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
49% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 48%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,685
−41%since 2000
from 55,204 in 2000
2000 – 2025
Population density
4,163 / sq mi
−41%since 2000
from 7,031 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.9
−3%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:32,401 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 2000 – 2024
27K34K42K50K58K2000201020202024Goleta
202433K
2000201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$122,370
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,314 in 2000
US average: $82,259
2000 – 2024
Per capita income
$56,285
+95%since 2000
from $28,890 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
70.3%
+24.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.410
+2%since 2010
from 0.401 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade10.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information6.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,062,100
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $395,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
2000 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,437
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $989 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.7%
−18.6 ptssince 2000
from 69.4% in 2000
49.3% rent
Vacancy rate
4.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.2%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.9%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.7
+32%since 2000
from 6.6 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Goleta on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic67.4%(37,230)
Black1.1%(630)
Hispanic / Latino22.3%(12,326)
Asian6.4%(3,525)
Other0%
Diversity Score57.8%(31,910)
2024
White, non-Hispanic45.8%(14,986)
Black1.6%(521)
Hispanic / Latino36.7%(11,999)
Asian10.9%(3,573)
Other4.9%(1,606)
Diversity Score80%(26,164)
Diversity Score
80
+38%since 2000
from 58 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
49.4%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 39.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 87.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
21.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.8 min
+68%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
61.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 67.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.4%
+13.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.5%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 71.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
56.4%
−15.6 ptssince 2009
from 72.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
49.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
23.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.0%
−46.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2012
from 9.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.6%
−85.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.4%
+6.0 ptssince 2017
from 88.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
66.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2016
from 63.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
22.3%
−4.2 ptssince 2016
from 26.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Goleta to nearby cities

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GOLETA VS
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GOLETA VS
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GOLETA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Goleta, California?

Goleta, California has about 32,685 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Goleta, California?

The typical household in Goleta, California earns about $122,370 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Goleta, California expensive?

In Goleta, California, the median home is worth about $1,062,100, and the typical rent is about $2,437 a month.

How educated are people in Goleta, California?

About 49.4% of adults age 25 and over in Goleta, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Goleta, California?

About 9.3% of people in Goleta, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

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