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CITY · 2020 ACS

Santa Ynez

California · 4,505 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 $99,349. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $861,100. With a median age of 51.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 26% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 51.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,505
−2%since 2000
from 4,584 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
933 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 949 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
51.9
+24%since 2000
from 42.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K5K1990201020202024Santa Ynez
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$99,349
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,284 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$48,096
+42%since 2000
from $33,811 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
60.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.0%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction11.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services9.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Information8.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 10%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance1.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$861,100
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,859
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $984 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.4%
−9.7 ptssince 2000
from 82.1% in 2000
27.6% rent
Afford Score
8.7
+63%since 2000
from 5.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic76.2%(3,433)
Black0.7%(33)
Hispanic / Latino16.2%(731)
Asian1.2%(54)
Other9.7%(438)
Diversity Score53.9%(2,426)
Diversity Score
54
+118%since 2000
from 25 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.7%
−13.2 ptssince 2000
from 38.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 96.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.6%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.8 min
+35%since 2000
from 19.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+9.6 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.3%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 3.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.9%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 66.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
41.9%
−27.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
13.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.4%
−76.5 ptssince 2013
from 87.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Santa Ynez to nearby cities

SANTA YNEZ VS
Goleta
Income$122,370+23%
Home value$1,062,100+23%
Population32,401+625%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA YNEZ VS
Isla Vista
Income$25,972−74%
Home value$1,218,800+42%
Population13,920+212%
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SANTA YNEZ VS
University of California-Santa Barbara
Income$69,327−30%
Home value$452,900−47%
Population12,121+171%
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SANTA YNEZ VS
Eastern Goleta Valley
Income$146,284+47%
Home value$1,361,700+58%
Population28,295+533%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Ynez, California?

Santa Ynez, California has about 4,505 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Santa Ynez, California earns about $99,349 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 $861,100, and the typical rent is about $1,859 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Ynez, California?

About 25.7% 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 12.0% 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 305 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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

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