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CITY · 2010 ACS

Santa Maria

California · 99,553 residents · 22.81 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Maria has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $50,208. Population has grown 29% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $338,800. At a median age of 28.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $338,800, the poverty rate sits 28% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 28.6
US median: 37.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 91%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
99,553
+29%since 2000
from 77,423 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,364 / sq mi
+29%since 2000
from 3,394 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
28.6
−2%since 2000
from 29.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
56K71K86K101K115K1990201020202024Santa Maria
2024110K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,208
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,541 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,301
+33%since 2000
from $13,780 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
27.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
17.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 19.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.417
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Agriculture, forestry, fishing25.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction24.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Information9.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$338,800
+91%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $140,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,085
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $675 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
39.2%
−16.7 ptssince 2000
from 55.9% in 2000
48.4% rent
Vacancy rate
5.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
44.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.7
+76%since 2000
from 3.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Maria on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic32%(24,742)
Black1.6%(1,246)
Hispanic / Latino59.7%(46,196)
Asian4.4%(3,406)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.6%(50,041)
2010
White, non-Hispanic21.7%(21,626)
Black1.2%(1,193)
Hispanic / Latino70.4%(70,114)
Asian4.7%(4,652)
Other1.1%(1,108)
Diversity Score55.6%(55,349)
Diversity Score
56
−14%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
62.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 61.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.6 min
+55%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
64.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
27.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 25.8% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
2.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
18.3%
−32.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
49.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
35.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.1%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Maria

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Pop 110,851
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Pop 112,820
North Port
Pop 96,551
Elgin
Pop 115,476
Places similar to Santa Maria
Head to head

Compare Santa Maria to nearby cities

SANTA MARIA VS
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Income$111,416+122%
Home value$624,500+84%
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SANTA MARIA VS
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Income$110,022+119%
Home value$723,700+114%
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SANTA MARIA VS
Guadalupe
Income$66,930+33%
Home value$495,600+46%
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SANTA MARIA VS
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Income$102,553+104%
Home value$814,200+140%
Population18,123−84%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Maria, California?

Santa Maria, California has about 99,553 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Santa Maria, California earns about $50,208 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 $338,800, and the typical rent is about $1,085 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Maria, California?

About 12.9% 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 17.7% 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 38,269 residents, a change of about 62 percent over that period.

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

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