Population 9,089 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Montecito: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Montecito
Household size in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.40 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.27 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Montecito are small: just 2.27 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.40 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 44 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.3 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.2 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.4 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.1 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 50.4, Montecito is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 45.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 42 are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.2% of households in Montecito, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 3.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 51 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Montecito
Renters in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.7% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.3% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.2% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Montecito own their homes; 26.2% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 44.8% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the northeast. The renter share is down 4.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.4% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.4% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.4% of the housing in Montecito, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Montecito run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1974 against 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1963 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the southwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,614 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,961 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,689 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $3,239 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,625 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Montecito runs $3,239 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,625 a month since 2006–10, up 101%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 28.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Montecito
Bachelor's degrees in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.0% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 69.5% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 68.8% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 72.4% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.4 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Montecito is highly educated: just over seven in ten adults 25 and older (72.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 11.4 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 44 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.6% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.2% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Montecito: 98.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 31 have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Montecito
| Period | Montecito | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Montecito has been low: just 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 31 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.7 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Montecito compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montecito | 2.27 | 50.4 | 5.2% | 26.2% | 15.4% | 1974 | $3,239 | 72.4% | 98.2% | 3.2% |
| Summerland | 2.16 | 51.7 | 3.9% | 34.9% | 21.1% | 1974 | $2,215 | 61.6% | 93.6% | 13.6% |
| Toro Canyon | 2.10 | 58.6 | 1.4% | 37.7% | 13.0% | 1962 | $2,204 | 45.2% | 90.7% | 4.6% |
| Santa Barbara | 2.52 | 43.5 | 10.3% | 52.1% | 7.7% | 1966 | $2,707 | 51.6% | 89.6% | 5.2% |
| Carpinteria | 2.59 | 45.2 | 5.5% | 38.2% | 13.1% | 1975 | $2,514 | 45.3% | 86.2% | 3.5% |
| Isla Vista | 2.44 | 19.4 | 11.3% | 100.0% | 5.7% | 2001 | $2,100 | 88.2% | 98.7% | 16.8% |
| Goleta | 2.73 | 31.3 | 8.4% | 62.7% | 6.4% | 1980 | $2,548 | 50.6% | 91.3% | 8.8% |
| Ellwood | 2.79 | 40.4 | 4.3% | 37.5% | 3.0% | 1976 | $2,261 | 49.3% | 92.5% | 6.2% |
| Meiners Oaks | 2.87 | 50.0 | 9.1% | 8.3% | 15.4% | 1979 | $1,949 | 44.7% | 93.1% | 17.2% |
| Oak View | 2.69 | 46.9 | 3.7% | 18.8% | 5.6% | 1971 | $2,590 | 32.5% | 87.3% | 5.3% |
| Mira Monte | 2.42 | 50.2 | 5.3% | 16.6% | 4.9% | 1970 | $2,137 | 37.9% | 92.0% | 7.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Winters, CA · Kula, HI · La Cumbre, PR · La Grange, TX · La Joya, TX · La Junta, CO · Wyoming, MN · La Trocha, PR · Woodstock, VA · Woodlake, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Montecito. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.