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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Santa Maria

California · 77,423 residents · 22.81 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Maria has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $36,541. Population has grown 26% since 1990. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $140,000. At a median age of 29.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 29.2
US median: 35.2
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 24%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
77,423
+26%since 1990
from 61,284 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,394 / sq mi
+26%since 1990
from 2,687 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
29.2
−1%since 1990
from 29.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
56K71K86K101K115K1990201020202024Santa Maria
2024110K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,541
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $29,492 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,780
+14%since 1990
from $12,118 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
19.7%
+2.9 ptssince 1990
from 16.8% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$140,000
−24%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $140,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$675
−7%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $548 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
55.9%
+2.1 ptssince 1990
from 53.8% in 1990
44.1% rent
Afford Score
3.8
−19%since 1990
from 4.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Maria on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic61.6%(37,772)
Black1.9%(1,184)
Hispanic / Latino45.5%(27,909)
Asian6.1%(3,718)
Diversity Score84.7%(51,885)
2000
White, non-Hispanic32%(24,742)
Black1.6%(1,246)
Hispanic / Latino59.7%(46,196)
Asian4.4%(3,406)
Diversity Score64.6%(50,041)
Diversity Score
65
−24%since 1990
from 85 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.0%
+0.3 ptssince 1990
from 10.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
61.0%
−4.7 ptssince 1990
from 65.7% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
3.3%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 3.3% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.9 min
−15%since 1990
from 16.4 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Maria

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Pop 110,851
South Fulton
Pop 112,820
North Port
Pop 96,551
Elgin
Pop 115,476
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Head to head

Compare Santa Maria to nearby cities

SANTA MARIA VS
Orcutt
Income$111,416+205%
Home value$624,500+346%
Population31,454−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA MARIA VS
Nipomo
Income$110,022+201%
Home value$723,700+417%
Population17,516−84%
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SANTA MARIA VS
Guadalupe
Income$66,930+83%
Home value$495,600+254%
Population8,846−92%
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SANTA MARIA VS
Arroyo Grande
Income$102,553+181%
Home value$814,200+482%
Population18,123−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Maria, California?

Santa Maria, California has about 77,423 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Santa Maria, California earns about $36,541 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Maria, California expensive?

In Santa Maria, California, the median home is worth about $140,000, and the typical rent is about $675 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Maria, California?

About 11.0% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Maria, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Maria, California?

About 19.7% of people in Santa Maria, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santa Maria, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Santa Maria, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 16,139 residents, a change of about 26 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 →