Isla Vista, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Isla Vista, California is 13,717 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 422nd-largest city in California. The median household income is $24,428, the median home value is $1,241,700, and the median age is 21.2.
13,717
Population
24895
People / sq mi
$24,428
Median Income
$1,241,700
Median Home Value
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Isla Vista covers 0.6 sq mi of land at 24895 people per square mile.
About Isla Vista, CA
What distinguishes Isla Vista is density: among the most densely settled of US cities, around 24,895 people per square mile. Isla Vista is a city in California with a population of 13,717.
Household earnings sit near the bottom of the range at $24,428, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 6.7%, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $1,241,700, with typical rent around $1,856.
Roughly 40.8% of adults have a bachelor’s, above the national 35.0%. About 8.3% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Isla Vista: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 60.2% |
| Black or African American | 4.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$24,428
Median Household Income
$13,289
Per Capita Income
6.7%
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$1,241,700
Median Home Value
$1,856
Median Rent
1.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
90.6%
High School+
40.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
3.5%
Drive Alone
50.6%
Public Transit
8.3%
Work From Home
15.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
16.8%
Foreign Born
73.1%
Non-English at Home
0.8%
Veterans
7.9%
With Disability
94.9%
Health Insurance
98.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 33.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 30.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 5.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3.7% |
| Manufacturing | 3.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.4% |
| Retail Trade | 3.0% |
| Public Administration | 2.4% |
| Construction | 1.7% |
| Information | 0.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.2% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Isla Vista, California has a population of 13,717 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 422nd-largest city in California.
The median household income in Isla Vista, California is $24,428, with 6.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Isla Vista, California is $1,241,700, with median monthly rent at $1,856 and a homeownership rate of 1.0%.
The median age in Isla Vista, California is 21.2 years. The population is 44.0% male and 56.0% female.
Isla Vista Cdp, CA Climate
Isla Vista Cdp, CA has an average annual temperature of 15.9°C (61°F) and receives about 422 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
15.9°C
Avg Temp
422
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12° / 54° | 87 mm |
| February | 13° / 55° | 98 mm |
| March | 14° / 56° | 81 mm |
| April | 15° / 58° | 24 mm |
| May | 16° / 61° | 7 mm |
| June | 18° / 64° | 2 mm |
| July | 19° / 67° | 0 mm |
| August | 20° / 68° | 1 mm |
| September | 19° / 67° | 7 mm |
| October | 18° / 64° | 12 mm |
| November | 15° / 58° | 43 mm |
| December | 12° / 54° | 60 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Isla Vista Cdp, CA
The most comfortable months to visit Isla Vista Cdp, CA are typically August, July and September, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 26°C high). The coldest is January (near 6°C low). February is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Isla Vista
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.