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CITY · 2020 ACS

Santa Maria

California · 109,707 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 $67,634. Population has grown 42% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $359,700. At a median age of 30.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 30.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 71%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
109,707
+42%since 2000
from 77,423 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,810 / sq mi
+42%since 2000
from 3,394 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
30.6
+5%since 2000
from 29.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
56K71K86K101K115K1990201020202024Santa Maria
2024110K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,634
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,541 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,945
+59%since 2000
from $13,780 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
44.1%
+17.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.7%
−7.0 ptssince 2000
from 19.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing26.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction26%
US avg: 1.2%
Information9.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.8%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$359,700
+71%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $140,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,475
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $675 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.2%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 55.9% in 2000
49.8% rent
Afford Score
5.3
+39%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic15.3%(16,758)
Black1%(1,043)
Hispanic / Latino76.5%(83,968)
Asian4.6%(4,999)
Other2%(2,186)
Diversity Score47.5%(52,085)
Diversity Score
47
−27%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
61.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 61.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+58%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
69.1%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2011
from 64.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
20.3%
−30.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
50.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
33.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
17.2%
−55.0 ptssince 2013
from 72.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Santa Maria to nearby cities

SANTA MARIA VS
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Income$111,416+65%
Home value$624,500+74%
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SANTA MARIA VS
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Income$110,022+63%
Home value$723,700+101%
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SANTA MARIA VS
Guadalupe
Income$66,930−1%
Home value$495,600+38%
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SANTA MARIA VS
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Income$102,553+52%
Home value$814,200+126%
Population18,123−84%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Maria, California?

Santa Maria, California has about 109,707 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Santa Maria, California earns about $67,634 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 $359,700, and the typical rent is about $1,475 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Maria, California?

About 13.4% 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 12.7% 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 48,423 residents, a change of about 79 percent over that period.

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

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