Santa Barbara, CA Census Data
The 94th largest city in California by population · 188 cities ranked
Santa Barbara is the 94th largest city in California by population and ranks 85th of 188 for median household income. With 88,024 residents, its poverty rate of 13.1% ranks among the higher rates in California. This snapshot draws from the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
Updated: 2026-04-13 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023
Population
88,024
48.9% male · 51.1% female
Median Age
39.4
0.7 above the national average (38.7 yrs)
Median Household Income
$101,672
$23,134 above the national average ($78,538)
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
50.2%
15.2% above the national average (35.0%)
HS diploma or higher: 88.9%
Poverty Rate
13.1%
0.7% above the national average (12.4%)
Uninsured: 9.4%
Broadband Access
96.8%
7.1% above the national average (89.7%)
Median Home Value
$1,466,400
Median rent: $2,302 · 40% owner-occupied
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Labor force participation: 61.9%
Per Capita Income
$49,451
Individual average income (not household)
Veteran Population
3.8%
Disability rate: 11.2%
How Santa Barbara Compares to Other California Cities
Rankings among all 188 California cities tracked in the 2023 ACS.
| Ranking | Position | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Largest by Population | 94th of 188 | Top half |
| Highest Median Income | 85th of 188 | Top half |
| Lowest Poverty Rate | 130th of 188 | Bottom half |
| Highest Bachelor's Attainment | 38th of 188 | Top 25% |
| Highest Home Value | 10th of 188 | Top 10% |
Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
Age Distribution
Commute to Work
Santa Barbara, CA Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Santa Barbara, CA?
The population of Santa Barbara, CA is 88,024 according to the 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The median age is 39.4 years.
What is the median household income in Santa Barbara?
The median household income in Santa Barbara, CA is $101,672, above the national average of $78,538. Per capita income is $49,451.
What is the poverty rate in Santa Barbara?
The poverty rate in Santa Barbara, CA is 13.1%, compared to the national average of 12.4%. About 9.4% of residents lack health insurance.
What percentage of Santa Barbara residents have a college degree?
50.2% of adults (25+) in Santa Barbara hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 88.9% have at least a high school diploma. The national average for bachelor's degree holders is 35.0%.
What is the median home value in Santa Barbara?
The median home value in Santa Barbara, CA is $1,466,400. Median rent is $2,302 per month, with 40% of housing units owner-occupied.
What is the racial makeup of Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's population is 63.3% White, 1.3% Black, 36.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 3.8% Asian (source: 2023 ACS).
How does Santa Barbara rank among California cities?
Santa Barbara is the 94th largest city in California by population, the 85th highest for median household income, the 130th lowest for poverty rate, the 38th highest for bachelor's degree attainment among 188 ranked California cities.
What is the unemployment rate in Santa Barbara?
The unemployment rate in Santa Barbara, CA is 4.7%, with a labor force participation rate of 61.9%. Per capita income is $49,451.
Cities Similar to Santa Barbara
Other California cities with comparable population and income levels.