Population 18,174 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Upper State
Household size in Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.22 | 2.52 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.32 | 2.68 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.57 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.31 | 2.52 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Upper State are small: just 2.31 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. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.22, even as the national average fell.
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 Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.0 | 41.5 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.8 | 41.3 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.6 | 42.5 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.3 | 43.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +2.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.3, Upper State 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 47.0 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the east.
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 Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 9.2% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 9.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 10.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | +1.1 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.3% of households in Upper State, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Upper State
Renters in Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.4% | 48.6% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 45.9% | 50.5% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.4% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.4% | 52.1% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +3.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Upper State than nationally: 47.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Locally, though, renters make up a smaller share here than in Santa Barbara overall (52.1%). Among homeowners, 36.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 1.0 points since 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 Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 8.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 7.7% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 7.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −0.7 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Upper State is close to the national rate: 9.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in Santa Barbara overall (7.7%). Vacancy has risen 2.6 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 Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1962 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1963 | 1964 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1964 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1966 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Upper State is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1966, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1963 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the east 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 Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,513 | $1,544 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,537 | $1,642 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,114 | $2,088 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,662 | $2,707 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,148 | +$1,163 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Upper State costs $2,662 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,148 a month since 2006–10, up 76%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 30.8% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the north.
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 Upper State
Bachelor's degrees in Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.8% | 43.1% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 50.0% | 44.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.9% | 49.1% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 59.0% | 51.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +16.2 pts | +8.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Upper State: 59.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree is up 16.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.4% | 85.5% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.2% | 85.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.3% | 87.5% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.9% | 89.6% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +4.1 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Upper State is above the national rate: 93.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.5 points, as it has nationally.
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 Upper State
| Period | Upper State | Santa Barbara | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.2% | 6.1% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 6.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.3% | 3.7% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 5.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Upper State is close to the national rate: 5.1% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 1.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Upper State compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper State | 2.31 | 48.3 | 6.3% | 47.4% | 9.3% | 1966 | $2,662 | 59.0% | 93.9% | 5.1% |
| Las Positas | 2.53 | 52.4 | 3.6% | 34.8% | 12.4% | 1968 | $3,292 | 60.0% | 94.7% | 3.8% |
| Westside-Santa Barbara | 2.69 | 34.6 | 15.7% | 75.4% | 7.8% | 1965 | $2,384 | 38.6% | 80.2% | 7.8% |
| Mesa | 2.38 | 47.9 | 8.7% | 40.6% | 7.8% | 1964 | $2,812 | 61.0% | 96.2% | 6.3% |
| Lower East | 2.70 | 37.1 | 12.6% | 70.0% | 4.8% | 1962 | $2,351 | 36.7% | 80.2% | 5.0% |
| Waterfront | 2.04 | 39.1 | 15.2% | 80.7% | 10.1% | 1968 | $2,504 | 48.3% | 90.0% | 5.6% |
| Riviera | 2.43 | 46.1 | 7.3% | 35.6% | 8.1% | 1963 | $2,675 | 62.6% | 92.6% | 2.7% |
| Eastside Santa Barbara | 2.99 | 41.0 | 15.0% | 56.3% | 1.6% | 1951 | $2,712 | 30.9% | 79.7% | 5.9% |
| Sea View Estates | 3.87 | 30.8 | 27.4% | 31.6% | 6.6% | 1982 | $1,907 | 25.0% | 78.9% | 5.7% |
| Via Marina | 2.71 | 44.9 | 2.8% | 39.2% | 10.0% | 1976 | $2,317 | 34.2% | 85.1% | 6.9% |
| Sierra Linda | 4.07 | 29.1 | 25.5% | 62.5% | 4.2% | 1970 | $1,897 | 10.0% | 67.5% | 8.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Arden Heights, Staten Island, NY · Auburn Gresham, Chicago, IL · Bach, Ann Arbor, MI · Midway, Gulf Breeze, FL · Rainier Beach, Seattle, WA · Prosperity Church Road, Charlotte, NC · Potrero, San Francisco, CA · Park Hill, Denver, CO · Park Forest-Louisiana North, Baton Rouge, LA · Overlake, Bellevue, WA
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 Upper State. 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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