CensusEasy
METRO AREA · 1990 CENSUS

Santa Maria Metro

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA · 1 counties · 369,608 residents · 2,733.941 sq mi
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The short version

Santa Maria 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 Maria
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 Maria 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.

In this metro

Principal cities

Santa MariaCENTRAL111,390Santa BarbaraCENTRAL86,422
What's inside

1 component county

Santa Barbara CountyCENTRAL442,065
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Santa Maria

Salinas
Pop 433,729
Vallejo
Pop 455,376
Manchester
Pop 433,415
Anchorage
Pop 405,821
Places similar to Santa Maria
Head to head

Compare Santa Maria side by side

SANTA MARIA VS
Salinas
Income$97,230+173%
Home value$781,000+213%
Population433,729−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA MARIA VS
Vallejo
Income$100,401+181%
Home value$617,700+148%
Population455,376+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA MARIA VS
Manchester
Income$103,545+190%
Home value$421,100+69%
Population433,415−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANTA MARIA VS
Anchorage
Income$100,683+182%
Home value$382,042+53%
Population405,821−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA has about 369,608 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

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

Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA expensive?

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

How educated are people in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

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

What is the poverty rate in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

About 12.8% of people in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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