Population 119,576 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Santa Barbara
Household size in Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.52 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.68 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.57 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Santa Barbara run a little small, averaging 2.52 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the center. Santa Barbara has smaller households than the great majority of California cities.
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 Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.5 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.3 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.5 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Santa Barbara is 43.5 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.5, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the northwest.
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 Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Santa Barbara (10.3%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 1.1 points, even as the national share fell.
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 Santa Barbara
Renters in Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.6% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 50.5% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 50.8% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 52.1% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Santa Barbara rent: 52.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About four in ten owners (39.2%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 3.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Santa Barbara than nationally: 7.7%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across California. Vacancy has edged down 0.7 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1964 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Santa Barbara is a place of older homes: half were built before 1966, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1962 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,544 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,642 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,088 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,707 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,163 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Santa Barbara runs $2,707 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,163 a month since 2006–10, up 75%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 33.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the west.
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 Santa Barbara
Bachelor's degrees in Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.1% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 49.1% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 51.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Santa Barbara is highly educated: just over half of adults 25 and older (51.6%) 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 8.5 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southeast.
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 Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.5% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.5% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.6% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Santa Barbara have finished high school as nationally: 89.6%, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in California overall (84.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.1 points, mirroring the country.
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 Santa Barbara
| Period | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.2%, unemployment in Santa Barbara is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in California overall (6.6%). Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
Santa Barbara 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara | 2.52 | 43.5 | 10.3% | 52.1% | 7.7% | 1966 | $2,707 | 51.6% | 89.6% | 5.2% |
| Montecito | 2.27 | 50.4 | 5.2% | 26.2% | 15.4% | 1974 | $3,239 | 72.4% | 98.2% | 3.2% |
| 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% |
| Summerland | 2.16 | 51.7 | 3.9% | 34.9% | 21.1% | 1974 | $2,215 | 61.6% | 93.6% | 13.6% |
| Ellwood | 2.79 | 40.4 | 4.3% | 37.5% | 3.0% | 1976 | $2,261 | 49.3% | 92.5% | 6.2% |
| Toro Canyon | 2.10 | 58.6 | 1.4% | 37.7% | 13.0% | 1962 | $2,204 | 45.2% | 90.7% | 4.6% |
| Carpinteria | 2.59 | 45.2 | 5.5% | 38.2% | 13.1% | 1975 | $2,514 | 45.3% | 86.2% | 3.5% |
| 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: Baton Rouge, LA · Baytown, TX · Atascocita, TX · Auburn, AL · Aurora, CO · Alhambra, CA · Apple Valley, CA · Anchorage, AK · Antioch, CA · Bayamon, PR
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 Santa Barbara. 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.
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