Population 3,189 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Vandenberg AFB
Household size in Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.41 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.43 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.88 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.78 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.63 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Vandenberg AFB holds 2.78 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Still, the typical household here is smaller than in California as a whole, where it has 3.01 people. Household size has dropped from 3.41 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.8 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 23.0 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 23.4 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 25.1 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 25.1, Vandenberg AFB is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults in their twenties.
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 Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.5% of households in Vandenberg AFB, well below the national share of 11.6%.
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 Vandenberg AFB
Renters in Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 99.4% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 99.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 100.0% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Vandenberg AFB rent: 100.0% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 36.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%.
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 Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.1% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 1.4% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −19.8 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Vandenberg AFB: just 1.4% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market.
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 Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1991 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1999 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1999 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2001 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +4 | +6 |
Vandenberg AFB has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2001, versus 1980 nationally.
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 Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,586 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,625 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,874 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,745 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,159 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Vandenberg AFB costs $2,745 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 41.1% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Vandenberg AFB
Bachelor's degrees in Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.0% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.3% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +16.8 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Vandenberg AFB is highly educated: nearly half of adults 25 and older (47.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%.
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 Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.9% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.7% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 100.0% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Vandenberg AFB: 100.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%.
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 Vandenberg AFB
| Period | Vandenberg AFB | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Vandenberg AFB: 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. California as a whole looks much the same. 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).
Vandenberg AFB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandenberg AFB | 2.78 | 25.1 | 7.5% | 100.0% | 1.4% | 2001 | $2,745 | 47.8% | 100.0% | 6.2% |
| Vandenberg Air Force Base | 3.31 | 23.3 | 7.5% | 100.0% | 1.4% | 2001 | $2,745 | 55.8% | 100.0% | 5.2% |
| Vandenberg Village | 2.66 | 44.5 | 6.3% | 25.7% | 6.6% | 1971 | $2,410 | 38.2% | 94.9% | 9.1% |
| Casmalia | 3.50 | 30.0 | 23.6% | 47.9% | 14.4% | 1988 | $1,783 | 17.0% | 65.4% | 11.6% |
| Lompoc | 2.90 | 36.5 | 17.5% | 48.3% | 6.7% | 1974 | $1,814 | 14.6% | 74.4% | 6.8% |
| Orcutt | 2.94 | 41.8 | 8.9% | 23.4% | 5.8% | 1978 | $2,192 | 32.6% | 89.6% | 4.6% |
| Garey | 2.37 | 51.6 | 6.0% | 15.4% | 0.9% | 1998 | $2,120 | 33.8% | 87.8% | 1.7% |
| Los Alamos | 2.39 | 54.4 | 5.9% | 28.2% | 16.7% | 1992 | $2,569 | 23.1% | 90.0% | 4.7% |
| Sisquoc | 2.36 | 51.0 | 6.9% | 17.7% | 6.7% | 1990 | $1,907 | 33.9% | 88.7% | 2.4% |
| Buellton | 2.73 | 40.6 | 13.5% | 41.0% | 14.1% | 1996 | $2,050 | 40.4% | 91.1% | 2.2% |
| Los Olivos | 2.26 | 57.0 | 7.0% | 11.4% | 9.5% | 1980 | $2,051 | 58.1% | 96.6% | 4.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Kenbridge, VA · Great Meadows, NJ · Crab Orchard, WV · Crockett, CA · Fletcher, OK · Dunkirk, IN · Ellaville, GA · Eureka, MT · Midway, KY · Bridgeport, AL
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 Vandenberg AFB. 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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