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CITY

Solvang

California · 5,944 residents (2025 est.) · 2.425 sq mi
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Part of the Santa Maria metro area
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Notable rankings
#185Oldest by median ageof 6,82654.2#306Most expensive homesof 6,786$949,600
The short version

Solvang is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $109,091. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $949,600. With a median age of 54.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 54.2
US median: 38.9
Average education
38% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 54%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,034
+13%since 2000
from 5,332 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,488 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 2,199 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.2
+25%since 2000
from 43.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,944 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Solvang
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$109,091
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,799 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$71,717
+183%since 2000
from $25,363 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
67.2%
+24.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.3%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.508
+11%since 2010
from 0.459 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$949,600
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $339,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,666
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $855 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.0%
−6.2 ptssince 2000
from 63.2% in 2000
43.0% rent
Vacancy rate
3.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.8%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.7
+17%since 2000
from 7.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Solvang on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.7%(4,090)
Black0.3%(16)
Hispanic / Latino19.9%(1,059)
Asian1%(52)
Other0%
Diversity Score43%(2,293)
2024
White, non-Hispanic61.1%(3,688)
Black2.7%(161)
Hispanic / Latino25.4%(1,532)
Asian2.9%(176)
Other7.9%(477)
Diversity Score69.3%(4,180)
Diversity Score
69
+61%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.2%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 29.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.2%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 84.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.4%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.2 min
+102%since 2000
from 14.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.1%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.7%
−12.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.8%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.3%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 58.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.7%
−18.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.2%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Female
54.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Foreign born
21.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.1%
−44.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2012
from 12.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.2%
−80.6 ptssince 2013
from 86.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2017
from 90.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
70.5%
−6.0 ptssince 2016
from 76.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
19.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 19.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Solvang to nearby cities

SOLVANG VS
Goleta
Income$122,370+12%
Home value$1,062,100+12%
Population32,401+445%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOLVANG VS
Lompoc
Income$72,004−34%
Home value$472,900−50%
Population43,315+629%
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SOLVANG VS
Isla Vista
Income$25,972−76%
Home value$1,218,800+28%
Population13,920+134%
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SOLVANG VS
University of California-Santa Barbara
Income$69,327−36%
Home value$452,900−52%
Population12,121+104%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Solvang, California?

Solvang, California has about 6,034 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Solvang, California?

The typical household in Solvang, California earns about $109,091 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Solvang, California expensive?

In Solvang, California, the median home is worth about $949,600, and the typical rent is about $1,666 a month.

How educated are people in Solvang, California?

About 38.2% of adults age 25 and over in Solvang, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Solvang, California?

About 11.3% of people in Solvang, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Solvang, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Solvang, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,293 residents, a change of about 27 percent over that period.

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

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