CensusEasy
COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Santa Barbara County

California · 369,608 residents · 2,733.941 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Barbara County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $35,677. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value is $249,200.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 31.8
US median: 33.0
More educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
369,608
−7%vs 2000
vs 399,347 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
135 / sq mi
−7%vs 2000
vs 146 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
31.8
−5%vs 2000
vs 33.4 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
362K385K409K433K456K1990201020202024Santa Barbara County
2024444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,677
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $46,677 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,155
−26%vs 2000
vs $23,059 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
12.8%
−1.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 14.3% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$249,200
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $264,100 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$654
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $830 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
54.7%
−1.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 56.1% in 2000
45.3% rent
Afford Score
7.0
+23%vs 2000
vs 5.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Santa Barbara County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.9%(227,083)
Black2.1%(8,385)
Hispanic / Latino34.2%(136,668)
Asian3.9%(15,713)
Other0%
Diversity Score66.4%(265,027)
1990
White, non-Hispanic77.2%(285,411)
Black2.7%(10,162)
Hispanic / Latino26.3%(97,084)
Asian4.5%(16,554)
Other15.6%(57,481)
Diversity Score70.7%(261,412)
Diversity Score
71
+7%vs 2000
vs 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.6%
−2.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 29.4% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
80.0%
+0.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 79.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
10.0%
−1.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.4% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
+35%vs 2000
vs 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Santa Barbara County

Monterey County
Pop 433,729
Solano County
Pop 455,376
Orange County
Pop 417,669
Richmond County
Pop 501,290
Places similar to Santa Barbara County
Head to head

Compare Santa Barbara County to nearby counties

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VS
Ventura County
Income$109,797+208%
Home value$822,700+230%
Population830,851+88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VS
San Luis Obispo County
Income$97,446+173%
Home value$824,700+231%
Population282,367−36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VS
Kern County
Income$70,210+97%
Home value$338,300+36%
Population927,068+110%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VS
Los Angeles County
Income$90,112+153%
Home value$834,200+235%
Population9,694,934+2093%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Barbara County, California?

Santa Barbara County, California has about 369,608 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Santa Barbara County, California?

The typical household in Santa Barbara County, California earns about $35,677 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Santa Barbara County, California expensive?

In Santa Barbara County, California, the median home is worth about $249,200, and the typical rent is about $654 a month.

How educated are people in Santa Barbara County, California?

About 26.6% of adults age 25 and over in Santa Barbara County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Santa Barbara County, California?

About 12.8% of people in Santa Barbara County, California live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

109 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 24.09Census Tract 29.33Census Tract 28.02Census Tract 20.08Census Tract 23.04Census Tract 28.08Census Tract 22.10Census Tract 7Census Tract 25.04Census Tract 20.14Census Tract 9803Census Tract 30.01Census Tract 16.01Census Tract 29.24Census Tract 21.03Census Tract 27.06Census Tract 20.11Census Tract 23.03Census Tract 22.11Census Tract 1.01
24 ZIP codes
ZIP 93458ZIP 93436ZIP 93117ZIP 93455ZIP 93454ZIP 93101ZIP 93105ZIP 93103ZIP 93111ZIP 93013ZIP 93110ZIP 93108ZIP 93109ZIP 93434ZIP 93463ZIP 93460ZIP 93427ZIP 93106ZIP 93437ZIP 93440ZIP 93441ZIP 93067ZIP 93254ZIP 93429
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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