Santa Barbara County, CA

County

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    2024 Population
    443,701
    US Senator
    Alex Padilla
    Democratic Party
    US Senator
    Adam Schiff
    Democratic Party
    2024 Median Age
    34.6
    0.29% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    14.7%
    7.03% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $98,161
    2.28% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $790,700
    7.48% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    205,874
    0.533% 1-year decline

    About

    None of the households in Santa Barbara County, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    86.7% of the residents in Santa Barbara County, CA are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Santa Barbara County, CA are University of California-Santa Barbara (7,895 degrees awarded in 2024), Allan Hancock College (5,186 degrees), and Santa Barbara City College (4,074 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Santa Barbara County, CA was $790,700, and the homeownership rate was 52.4%.

    Most people in Santa Barbara County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Santa Barbara County, CA was 2 cars per household.

    Santa Barbara County, CA borders Kern County, CA, San Luis Obispo County, CA, and Ventura County, CA.

    Photo by alex.lubbock
    United StatesCaliforniaSanta Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

    Population & Diversity

    Santa Barbara County, CA is home to a population of 444k people, from which 86.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 22.2% of Santa Barbara County, CA residents were born outside of the country (98.4k people).

    In 2024, there were 1.84 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (180k people) in Santa Barbara County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 97.9k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 65.3k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    86.7%
    2024 Citizenship
    86.6%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 86.7% of Santa Barbara County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Santa Barbara County, CA was 86.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Santa Barbara County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Santa Barbara County, CA
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      180k ± 602
    2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      97.9k ± 4.12k
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      65.3k ± 3.35k
    48.2%
    Hispanic Population
    214k people

    In 2024, there were 1.84 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (180k people) in Santa Barbara County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 97.9k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 65.3k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    48.2% of the people in Santa Barbara County, CA are hispanic (214k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Santa Barbara County, CA as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      3,877,888 ± 45,899 people
    2. Philippines
      827,719 ± 22,100 people
    3. China
      695,724 ± 20,296 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,877,888 California residents, followed by Philippines with 827,719 and China with 695,724.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    22.2%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    98.4k people
    22.1%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    98.1k people

    As of 2024, 22.2% of Santa Barbara County, CA residents (98.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Santa Barbara County, CA was 22.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Santa Barbara County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      6,072 ± 509
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      3,160 ± 464
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      1,941 ± 316

    Santa Barbara County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.92 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Santa Barbara County, CA.

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    Health

    91.3% of the population of Santa Barbara County, CA has health coverage, with 40.6% on employee plans, 23.6% on Medicaid, 11.7% on Medicare, 14.1% on non-group plans, and 1.25% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Santa Barbara County, CA see 1,305 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,305 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1093 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 150 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    1,305 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Santa Barbara County, CA

    Primary care physicians in Santa Barbara County, CA see an average of 1,305 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,305 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Santa Barbara County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.2% under 18 years, 25.4% between 18 and 34 years, 32.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.6% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    8.68%
    Uninsured
    40.6%
    Employer Coverage
    23.6%
    Medicaid
    11.7%
    Medicare
    14.1%
    Non-Group
    1.25%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Santa Barbara County, CA declined by 5.83% from 9.21% to 8.68%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Santa Barbara County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.71 in Santa Barbara County, CA.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Santa Barbara County, CA.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 31.6% in Santa Barbara County, CA.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Santa Barbara County, CA.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 9.2% in Santa Barbara County, CA.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Santa Barbara County, CA.

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    Economy

    The economy of Santa Barbara County, CA employs 206k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Santa Barbara County, CA were Health Care & Social Assistance (25,487 people), Educational Services (23,740 people), and Retail Trade (19,353 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($110,976), Utilities ($105,268), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($99,317).

    Employment

    Occupations

    206k
    2024 Value
    ± 3,737
    −0.533%
    1 Year decline
    ± 2.57%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Santa Barbara County, CA declined at a rate of −0.533%, from 207k employees to 206k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Santa Barbara County, CA, are Management Occupations (23,148 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (18,099 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (16,774 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Santa Barbara County, CA.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    206k
    2024 Value
    ± 3,737
    −0.533%
    1 Year decline
    ± 2.57%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Santa Barbara County, CA declined at a rate of −0.533%, from 207k employees to 206k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Santa Barbara County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,487 people), Educational Services (23,740 people), and Retail Trade (19,353 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Santa Barbara County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Santa Barbara County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $52,265
    Median earning men ± $1,319
    $38,301
    Median earning women ± $1,248

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($100,007), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($93,283), and Information ($86,614).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($68,986), Public Administration ($67,380), and Construction ($62,746).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Y-Axis
    2.57%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 1,089
      Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
    2. 779
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    3. 749
      Construction

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $1.59M
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $1.31M
      Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
    3. $1.06M
      Manufacturing

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    California is currently represented by 51 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Santa Barbara County, CA. Showing the available data for California.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Kamala Harris (58.5%)
      Democratic Party
    2. Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
      Republican Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from California

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Alex Padilla
    Senator from California3
    Assumed office on January 20, 2021
    Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.
    Adam Schiff
    Senator from California1
    Assumed office on December 8, 2024
    Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Santa Barbara County, CA awarded 18,554 degrees. The student population of Santa Barbara County, CA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 23,636 male students and 30,352 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Santa Barbara County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (7,240 and 41.9%), White (6,219 and 36%), Asian (1,816 and 10.5%), and Two or More Races (1,060 and 6.13%).

    The largest universities in Santa Barbara County, CA by number of degrees awarded are University of California-Santa Barbara (7,895 and 42.6%), Allan Hancock College (5,186 and 28%), and Santa Barbara City College (4,074 and 22%).

    The most popular majors in Santa Barbara County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (3,575 and 19.3%), Sociology (804 and 4.33%), and Biological & Physical Sciences (797 and 4.3%).

    The median tuition costs are $39,000 for private four year colleges, and $12,260 and $44,148 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2024 in Santa Barbara County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 33.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 13.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 53,988 (43.8% men and 56.2% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 53,988 students enrolled in Santa Barbara County, CA, 43.8% men and 56.2% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 20,080 records, of which 59.5% were women and 40.5% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
      702 degrees awarded
    2. Sociology
      661 degrees awarded
    3. General Communication
      649 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Santa Barbara County, CA was Econometrics & Quantitative Economics with 702 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Santa Barbara County, CA according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. University of California-Santa Barbara
      7,895 degrees awarded
    2. Allan Hancock College
      5,186 degrees awarded
    3. Santa Barbara City College
      4,074 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of California-Santa Barbara with 7,895 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 7,649 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Santa Barbara County, CA, which is 0.701 times less than the 10,905 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 7,240 degrees mean that there were 1.16 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 6,219 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($39,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Public, 4-year or above ($3,184) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Santa Barbara County, CA was $790,700 in 2024, which is 2.38 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $735,700 to $790,700, a 7.48% increase. The homeownership rate in Santa Barbara County, CA is 52.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Santa Barbara County, CA have an average commute time of 20.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Santa Barbara County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 28.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Santa Barbara County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.467%.

    Housing

    Property

    $790,700
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$17,571
    $78,344
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$1,875

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Santa Barbara County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Santa Barbara County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    52.4%
    Homeownership
    2024
    69%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 52.4% of the housing units in Santa Barbara County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 52.9%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Santa Barbara County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $98,161
    Median Household Income
    ± $2,430
    150k
    Number of Households
    ± 3,003

    In 2024, the median household income of the 150k households in Santa Barbara County, CA grew to $98,161 from the previous year's value of $95,977.

    The following chart displays the households in Santa Barbara County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Santa Barbara County, CA is from California.
    0.493
    2024 Wage GINI in California
    0.495
    2023 Wage GINI in California

    In 2024, the income inequality in California was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.424% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (64.7%)
    2. Worked At Home (13.4%)
    3. Carpooled (11.7%)

    In 2024, 64.7% of workers in Santa Barbara County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.4%) and those who carpooled to work (11.7%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    20.8 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Santa Barbara County, CA have a shorter commute time (20.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.51% of the workforce in Santa Barbara County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Santa Barbara County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Santa Barbara County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Santa Barbara County, CA have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 28.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Santa Barbara County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.467%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    14.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Santa Barbara County, CA (62.4k out of 423k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Santa Barbara County, CA is Hispanic, followed by White and Two Or More.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 17% of the children was living in poverty in Santa Barbara County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.2%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 318 in Santa Barbara County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 111% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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