Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Metro Area

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA · Metro Area

443,701Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $98,161
Median home value: $790,700
Land area: 2,734 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Santa Barbara County, CA	Central	443,701	$98,161	$790,700

Largest cities and towns

26 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Santa Maria, CA	City	110,462	$84,746
Santa Barbara, CA	City	87,779	$106,182
Lompoc, CA	City	43,646	$72,004
Goleta, CA	City	32,685	$122,370
Orcutt, CA	CDP	31,454	$111,416
Isla Vista, CA	CDP	13,920	$25,972
Carpinteria, CA	City	13,036	$100,658
Montecito, CA	CDP	9,031	$231,005
Guadalupe, CA	City	8,566	$66,930
Vandenberg Village, CA	CDP	6,776	$110,904
Solvang, CA	City	6,034	$109,091
Buellton, CA	City	5,074	$99,936
Santa Ynez, CA	CDP	4,467	$110,781
Mission Hills, CA	CDP	3,859	$111,974
Vandenberg AFB, CA	CDP	3,477	$84,167
Mission Canyon, CA	CDP	2,357	$208,466
Toro Canyon, CA	CDP	1,477	$140,743
Summerland, CA	CDP	1,348	$95,694
Los Alamos, CA	CDP	1,163	$79,167
Los Olivos, CA	CDP	1,038	$143,229
Ballard, CA	CDP	863	$140,833
New Cuyama, CA	CDP	555	$60,759
Garey, CA	CDP	212	$97,083
Sisquoc, CA	CDP	158	$72,000
Cuyama, CA	CDP	80	—

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Unemployment

6.4%

College Educated

36.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$98,161

Mean Household Income

$140,893

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.1%

Female

49.9%

Population Split

Male50.1%

Female49.9%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

Mexican43.1%

German8.7%

English8.3%

Irish7.2%

Italian3.9%

Scottish1.7%

French1.5%

Polish1.3%

African0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

22.2%Foreign Born

77.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized40.2%

Non-Citizen59.8%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later21.8%

Before 201078.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

160,592

Median Rent

$2,131/mo

Median Home Value

$790,700

Median Year Built

1974

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

131,397

College Enrollment

35.3%

High School

17.7%

College Educated

36.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

20.8 min

Drive Alone Rate

64.7%

Public Transit

2.2%

Work From Home

13.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.4%

18-34 Years

28.0%

35-64 Years

33.0%

65+ Years

16.6%

Population Composition

Under 1822.4%

18-3428.0%

35-6433.0%

65+16.6%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.0%

Single Parent

5.2%

Living Alone

24.8%

Avg Size

2.81

Household Types

Married Couples47.0%

Single Parent5.2%

Living Alone24.8%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$48,028

SNAP Usage

10.9%

Health Insurance

91.3%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.6%

$25k - $50k13.4%

$50k - $100k24.8%

$100k+49.2%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

7.4%

Retail Trade

9.4%

Education & Health Care

23.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

11.3%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

91.3%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.5%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.4%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

108.8

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

57.5

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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