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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Santa Barbara

California · 85,571 residents · 19.489 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Barbara is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $33,667. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $345,800.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 33.9
US median: 33.0
More educated
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

85,571
−7%vs 2000
vs 92,325 in 2000
1990 – 2025
4,391 / sq mi
−7%vs 2000
vs 4,737 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
33.9
−2%vs 2000
vs 34.6 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
85K87K89K91K93K1990201020202024Santa Barbara
202488K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$33,667
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $47,498 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$18,934
−28%vs 2000
vs $26,466 in 2000
US average: $14,340
12.7%
−0.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 13.4% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$345,800
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $469,300 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$715
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $936 in 2000
US average: $450
42.2%
+0.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 42.0% in 2000
57.8% rent
10.3
+4%vs 2000
vs 9.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Barbara on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic58.3%(53,849)
Black1.5%(1,418)
Hispanic / Latino35%(32,330)
Asian2.7%(2,467)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.1%(59,165)
1990
White, non-Hispanic77.6%(66,415)
Black2.5%(2,174)
Hispanic / Latino31%(26,500)
Asian2.3%(1,929)
Other17.6%(15,053)
Diversity Score71.8%(61,417)
72
+12%vs 2000
vs 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

33.1%
−6.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 39.6% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
79.1%
−2.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 81.3% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
12.7%
−2.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 15.6% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

16.9 min
+50%vs 2000
vs 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Barbara, California?

Santa Barbara, California has about 85,571 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Santa Barbara, California?

The typical household in Santa Barbara, California earns about $33,667 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Barbara, California expensive?

In Santa Barbara, California, the median home is worth about $345,800, and the typical rent is about $715 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Barbara, California?

About 33.1% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Barbara, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Barbara, California?

About 12.7% of people in Santa Barbara, 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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