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CITY

Santa Ynez

California · 4,467 residents · 4.83 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Ynez is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $110,781. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $1,163,000. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.8
US median: 38.9
Average education
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,467
−3%since 2000
from 4,584 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
925 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 949 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.8
−10%since 2000
from 42.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K5K1990201020202024Santa Ynez
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$110,781
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,284 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$60,997
+80%since 2000
from $33,811 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
72.3%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.0%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.507
+22%since 2010
from 0.414 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Information7.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food5.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,163,000
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,969
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $984 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.9%
−17.1 ptssince 2000
from 82.1% in 2000
35.1% rent
Vacancy rate
14.0%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
36.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.3%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
10.5
+97%since 2000
from 5.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
19
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Ynez on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.8%(3,977)
Black0.2%(8)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(422)
Asian1.2%(57)
Other0%
Diversity Score24.6%(1,130)
2024
White, non-Hispanic75.9%(3,390)
Black0.3%(13)
Hispanic / Latino19.8%(883)
Asian1%(45)
Other3%(136)
Diversity Score48%(2,144)
Diversity Score
48
+95%since 2000
from 25 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 38.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.5%
−4.7 ptssince 2000
from 96.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.4%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.9 min
+36%since 2000
from 19.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.5%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.9%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.5%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.8%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 3.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.7%
−13.6 ptssince 2011
from 66.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
46.5%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
11.0%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.1%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.1%
+7.8 ptssince 2012
from 9.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.8%
−78.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2017
from 90.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
83.9%
−3.8 ptssince 2016
from 87.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.1%
+4.0 ptssince 2016
from 6.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Santa Ynez to nearby cities

SANTA YNEZ VS
Goleta
Income$122,370+10%
Home value$1,062,100−9%
Population32,401+625%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA YNEZ VS
Isla Vista
Income$25,972−77%
Home value$1,218,800+5%
Population13,920+212%
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SANTA YNEZ VS
University of California-Santa Barbara
Income$69,327−37%
Home value$452,900−61%
Population12,121+171%
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SANTA YNEZ VS
Eastern Goleta Valley
Income$146,284+32%
Home value$1,361,700+17%
Population28,295+533%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Ynez, California?

Santa Ynez, California has about 4,467 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Santa Ynez, California earns about $110,781 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Ynez, California expensive?

In Santa Ynez, California, the median home is worth about $1,163,000, and the typical rent is about $1,969 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Ynez, California?

About 33.4% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Ynez, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Ynez, California?

About 13.0% of people in Santa Ynez, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Santa Ynez, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Santa Ynez, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 267 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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

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