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CITY · 2010 ACS

Santa Barbara

California · 88,410 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 $61,665. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $969,200.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.8
US median: 37.2
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 63%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
88,410
−4%since 2000
from 92,325 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,536 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 4,737 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.8
+6%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
85K87K89K91K93K1990201020202024Santa Barbara
202488K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,665
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,498 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,601
+38%since 2000
from $26,466 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
40.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 39.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
14.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.483
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information10.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services6.8%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade6.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 2.4%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$969,200
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $469,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,373
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $936 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
27.7%
−14.3 ptssince 2000
from 42.0% in 2000
61.1% rent
Vacancy rate
7.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
43.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
15.7
+59%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic54.8%(48,417)
Black1.3%(1,177)
Hispanic / Latino38%(33,591)
Asian3.3%(2,927)
Other2.4%(2,121)
Diversity Score69%(61,013)
Diversity Score
69
+8%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
42.3%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 39.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
84.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
17.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.3 min
+45%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
63.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
5.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
7.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
4.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
10.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
43.6%
−23.7 ptssince 2009
from 67.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
49.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
23.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.9%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Barbara

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Head to head

Compare Santa Barbara to nearby cities

SANTA BARBARA VS
Montecito
Income$231,005+275%
Home value$2,000,001+106%
Population9,031−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA BARBARA VS
Eastern Goleta Valley
Income$146,284+137%
Home value$1,361,700+40%
Population28,295−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA BARBARA VS
University of California-Santa Barbara
Income$69,327+12%
Home value$452,900−53%
Population12,121−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA BARBARA VS
Isla Vista
Income$25,972−58%
Home value$1,218,800+26%
Population13,920−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Barbara, California?

Santa Barbara, California has about 88,410 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Santa Barbara, California earns about $61,665 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 $969,200, and the typical rent is about $1,373 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Barbara, California?

About 42.3% 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 14.1% of people in Santa Barbara, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santa Barbara, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Santa Barbara, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,839 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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

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