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CITY · 2010 ACS

Isla Vista

California · 23,096 residents · 0.551 sq mi
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The short version

Isla Vista has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,087. Population has grown 26% since 2000. 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $383,800. At a median age of 20.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 51% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 20.7
US median: 37.2
More educated
51% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
More affordable
home values down 7%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,096
+26%since 2000
from 18,344 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
41,917 / sq mi
+26%since 2000
from 33,292 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
20.7
−2%since 2000
from 21.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K17K21K25K29K1990201020202024Isla Vista
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,087
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,151 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,036
+44%since 2000
from $7,644 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
16.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
52.1%
−10.7 ptssince 2000
from 62.8% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.522
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information11.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Wholesale trade1.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$383,800
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $327,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,332
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $842 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
1.8%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
97.4% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
21.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 27.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
72.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 72.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
12.8
−37%since 2000
from 20.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Isla Vista on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic61.7%(11,326)
Black1.9%(341)
Hispanic / Latino20%(3,671)
Asian11.4%(2,087)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.8%(11,887)
2010
White, non-Hispanic55.7%(12,854)
Black2.3%(521)
Hispanic / Latino22.8%(5,265)
Asian14.4%(3,316)
Other4.1%(940)
Diversity Score76.1%(17,575)
Diversity Score
76
+17%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.2%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 39.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
77.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 75.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
33.9%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 22.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.7 min
+43%since 2000
from 9.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
41.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
5.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
8.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
13.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
23.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
10.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
23.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
29.6%
−34.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
16.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
0.9%
−50.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Isla Vista to nearby cities

ISLA VISTA VS
University of California-Santa Barbara
Income$69,327+130%
Home value$452,900+18%
Population12,121−13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ISLA VISTA VS
Goleta
Income$122,370+307%
Home value$1,062,100+177%
Population32,401+133%
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ISLA VISTA VS
Eastern Goleta Valley
Income$146,284+386%
Home value$1,361,700+255%
Population28,295+103%
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ISLA VISTA VS
Santa Barbara
Income$106,182+253%
Home value$1,570,800+309%
Population86,422+521%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Isla Vista, California?

Isla Vista, California has about 23,096 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Isla Vista, California?

The typical household in Isla Vista, California earns about $30,087 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Isla Vista, California expensive?

In Isla Vista, California, the median home is worth about $383,800, and the typical rent is about $1,332 a month.

How educated are people in Isla Vista, California?

About 51.2% of adults age 25 and over in Isla Vista, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Isla Vista, California?

About 52.1% of people in Isla Vista, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Isla Vista, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Isla Vista, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,701 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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

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