Santa Barbara County, CA

County

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2021 Population

447,651

0.619% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

33.9

0.296% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

13.4%

4.34% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$84,356

6.88% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$625,200

2.44% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

211,109

0.608% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Santa Barbara County, CA had a population of 448k people with a median age of 33.9 and a median household income of $84,356. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Santa Barbara County, CA grew from 444,895 to 447,651, a 0.619% increase and its median household income grew from $78,925 to $84,356, a 6.88% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Santa Barbara County, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (43%), White (Hispanic) (22.9%), Two+ (Hispanic) (11.2%), Other (Hispanic) (11%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.3%).

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.

85.9% 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 (7,875 degrees awarded in 2021), Santa Barbara City College (4,676 degrees), and Allan Hancock College (4,577 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Santa Barbara County, CA was $625,200, and the homeownership rate was 52.6%.

Most people in Santa Barbara County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.7 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 States California Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Population & Diversity

Santa Barbara County, CA is home to a population of 448k people, from which 85.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 22.4% of Santa Barbara County, CA residents were born outside of the country (100k people).

In 2021, there were 1.88 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (193k people) in Santa Barbara County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 102k White (Hispanic) and 50.3k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

85.9%

2021 Citizenship

85.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 85.9% of Santa Barbara County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Santa Barbara County, CA was 85.4%, 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Santa Barbara County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
193k ± 495
White (Hispanic)
102k ± 3.39k
Two+ (Hispanic)
50.3k ± 3.51k

46.4%

Hispanic Population

208k people

46.4% of the people in Santa Barbara County, CA are hispanic (208k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Santa Barbara County, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,959,545 ± 46,338 people
Philippines
828,655 ± 22,113 people
China
680,942 ± 20,084 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,959,545 California residents, followed by Philippines with 828,655 and China with 680,942.

Foreign-Born Population

22.4%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

100k people

22.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

101k people

As of 2021, 22.4% of Santa Barbara County, CA residents (100k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Santa Barbara County, CA was 22.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,829 ± 502
Gulf War (2001-)
4,112 ± 552
Gulf War (1990s)
2,354 ± 412

Santa Barbara County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.66 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Santa Barbara County, CA employs 211k people. The largest industries in Santa Barbara County, CA are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,916 people), Educational Services (23,338 people), and Retail Trade (20,453 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($104,688), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($95,540), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($79,817).

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,050. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.497, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

211k

2021 Value

± 3,685

−0.608%

1 Year decline

± 2.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Santa Barbara County, CA declined at a rate of −0.608%, from 212k employees to 211k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Santa Barbara County, CA, are Management Occupations (23,397 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (20,958 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (18,604 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Santa Barbara County, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

211k

2021 Value

± 3,685

−0.608%

1 Year decline

± 2.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Santa Barbara County, CA declined at a rate of −0.608%, from 212k employees to 211k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Santa Barbara County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,916 people), Educational Services (23,338 people), and Retail Trade (20,453 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$44,182

Median earning men ± $1,073

$31,584

Median earning women ± $1,092

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($79,787), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($78,156), and Information ($76,842).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($61,963), Construction ($52,943), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($50,936).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in California. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

5,753
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
2,993
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
2,613
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$4.82M
Manufacturing
$3.76M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.69M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $405B, followed by Mixed freight ($159B) and Pharmaceuticals ($155B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.21T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

109% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.21T. This is expected to increase 109% to $4.61T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$84.4B
Arizona
$44.8B
Ohio
$40.6B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $84.4B, followed by Arizona with $44.8B and Ohio and $40.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Santa Barbara County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 64.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (32.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.21%).

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla 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 52 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (64.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (32.8%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.21%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Santa Barbara County, CA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 18, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla 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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Santa Barbara County, CA awarded 18,471 degrees. The student population of Santa Barbara County, CA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 22,993 male students and 29,954 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Santa Barbara County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (7,085 and 41.6%), followed by White (6,103 and 35.8%), Asian (1,728 and 10.1%), and Two or More Races (953 and 5.59%).

The largest universities in Santa Barbara County, CA by number of degrees awarded are University of California-Santa Barbara (7,875 and 42.6%), Santa Barbara City College (4,676 and 25.3%), and Allan Hancock College (4,577 and 24.8%).

The most popular majors in Santa Barbara County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (3,987 and 21.6%), Biological & Physical Sciences (1,080 and 5.85%), and Sociology (919 and 4.98%).

The median tuition costs in Santa Barbara County, CA are $32,635 for private four year colleges, and $11,442 and $41,196 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Santa Barbara County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 30.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 52,947 (43.4% men and 56.6% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 52,947 students enrolled in Santa Barbara County, CA, 43.4% men and 56.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 18,255 records, of which 60.4% were women and 39.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Communication
462 degree-majors awarded
Sociology
725 degree-majors awarded
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
695 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Santa Barbara County, CA was General Communication with 462 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.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of California-Santa Barbara
7,875 degrees awarded
Santa Barbara City College
4,676 degrees awarded
Allan Hancock College
4,577 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of California-Santa Barbara with 7,875 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 7,170 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Santa Barbara County, CA, which is 0.634 times less than the 11,301 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 7,085 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 6,103 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($32,635) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,975) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 1.89% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 2.12% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Some college (7.01M), High School or Equivalent (6.74M), and Bachelors Degree (6.25M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Santa Barbara County, CA was $625,200 in 2021, which is 2.55 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $610,300 to $625,200, a 2.44% increase. The homeownership rate in Santa Barbara County, CA is 52.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Santa Barbara County, CA have an average commute time of 20.7 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.

Median household income in Santa Barbara County, CA is $84,356. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Santa Barbara County, CA was Census Tract 1.03 with a value of $216,528, followed by Census Tract 15 and Census Tract 29.07, with respective values of $198,778 and $169,120.

In 2022, 29.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Santa Barbara County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.311%.

Housing

Property

$625,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$15,429

$77,563

Median Property Taxes

±$1,840

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.

Rent vs Own

52.6%

Homeownership

2021

70.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 52.6% of the housing units in Santa Barbara County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 52.3%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 1.03
Census Tract 15
Census Tract 29.07

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Santa Barbara County, CA was Census Tract 1.03 with a value of $216,528, followed by Census Tract 15 and Census Tract 29.07, with respective values of $198,778 and $169,120.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Santa Barbara County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$84,356

Median Household Income

± $1,598

147k

Number of Households

± 2,929

In 2021, the median household income of the 147k households in Santa Barbara County, CA grew to $84,356 from the previous year's value of $78,925.

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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Santa Barbara County, CA is from California.

0.497

2021 Wage GINI in California

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

In 2021, the income inequality in California was 0.497 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.12% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (67.5%)
Carpooled (12.4%)
Worked At Home (10.1%)

In 2021, 67.5% of workers in Santa Barbara County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.4%) and those who worked at home (10.1%).

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.

Commute Time

20.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Santa Barbara County, CA have a shorter commute time (20.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.55% 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.

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.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 29.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Santa Barbara County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.311%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

13.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Santa Barbara County, CA (57.3k out of 427k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. 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 White, followed by Hispanic 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.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 12.6% of the children was living in poverty in Santa Barbara County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 8.6%.

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

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

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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Health

89.9% of the population of Santa Barbara County, CA has health coverage, with 41.4% on employee plans, 22.2% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 13.8% on non-group plans, and 1.41% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Santa Barbara County, CA see 1317 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.2% decrease from the previous year (1333 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1158 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 170 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,317 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 1,317 patients per year. This represents a 1.2% decrease from the previous year (1,333 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.3% under 18 years, 26.1% between 18 and 34 years, 33.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

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

Uninsured People

10.1%

Uninsured

41.4%

Employer Coverage

22.2%

Medicaid

11%

Medicare

13.8%

Non-Group

1.41%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Santa Barbara County, CA grew by 2.44% from 9.89% to 10.1%.

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.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 41.2 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 2022, 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 27.3% in Santa Barbara County, CA.

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

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