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CITY · 2020 ACS

Isla Vista

California · 15,500 residents · 0.551 sq mi
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Isla Vista has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $21,018. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 2,844 residents. Renters pay a median $1,662 per month, above the US median of $1,124. At a median age of 21.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 70.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 73% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 21.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Renter-heavy
2% owner-occupied
US average: 63%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,500
−16%since 2000
from 18,344 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
28,131 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 33,292 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
21.4
+1%since 2000
from 21.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K17K21K25K29K1990201020202024Isla Vista
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$21,018
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,151 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$10,576
+38%since 2000
from $7,644 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
10.6%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
70.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 62.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade3.1%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services0.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade0.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median gross rent
$1,662
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $842 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
1.9%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
98.1% rent
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic42%(6,513)
Black2%(316)
Hispanic / Latino27.3%(4,239)
Asian20.7%(3,210)
Other3.6%(552)
Diversity Score84.6%(13,111)
Diversity Score
85
+31%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 39.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.0%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 75.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.9%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 22.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.7 min
+43%since 2000
from 9.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
43.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
17.2%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
14.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 14.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2011
from 54.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.5%
−32.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
52.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
16.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.0%
−86.9 ptssince 2013
from 92.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Isla Vista to nearby cities

ISLA VISTA VS
University of California-Santa Barbara
Income$69,327+230%
Home value$452,900
Population12,121−13%
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ISLA VISTA VS
Goleta
Income$122,370+482%
Home value$1,062,100
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ISLA VISTA VS
Eastern Goleta Valley
Income$146,284+596%
Home value$1,361,700
Population28,295+103%
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ISLA VISTA VS
Santa Barbara
Income$106,182+405%
Home value$1,570,800
Population86,422+521%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Isla Vista, California?

Isla Vista, California has about 15,500 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Isla Vista, California earns about $21,018 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Isla Vista, California expensive?

In Isla Vista, California, the typical rent is about $1,662 a month.

How educated are people in Isla Vista, California?

About 41.9% 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 70.9% of people in Isla Vista, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Isla Vista, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Isla Vista, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,895 residents, a change of about -24 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 →