University of California-Santa Barbara, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of University of California-Santa Barbara, California is 11,634 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 456th-largest city in California. The median household income is $75,000, the median home value is $452,600, and the median age is 19.9.
11,634
Population
8949
People / sq mi
$75,000
Median Income
$452,600
Median Home Value
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University of California-Santa Barbara covers 1.3 sq mi of land at 8949 people per square mile.
About University of California-Santa Barbara, CA
Age is the most distinctive thing about University of California-Santa Barbara: a median age of 19.9, younger than the national median. With 11,634 residents, University of California-Santa Barbara is a city in California.
Median household income is $75,000, near the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 3.5%, is on the lower side for US cities and below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $452,600, with typical rent around $1,512.
University of California-Santa Barbara is among the best-educated US cities: 76.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. About 17.7% of workers primarily work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 15 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 47.7% |
| Black or African American | 1.4% |
| Asian | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$75,000
Median Household Income
$17,452
Per Capita Income
3.5%
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$452,600
Median Home Value
$1,512
Median Rent
17.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
97.4%
High School+
76.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
6.8%
Drive Alone
20.1%
Public Transit
17.7%
Work From Home
15.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
19.0%
Foreign Born
52.4%
Non-English at Home
1.1%
Veterans
9.2%
With Disability
98.4%
Health Insurance
100.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 58.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 20.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 5.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 2.6% |
| Manufacturing | 1.5% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.5% |
| Retail Trade | 1.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.3% |
| Public Administration | 0.6% |
| Construction | 0.5% |
| Information | 0.5% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
University of California-Santa Barbara, California has a population of 11,634 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 456th-largest city in California.
The median household income in University of California-Santa Barbara, California is $75,000, with 3.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in University of California-Santa Barbara, California is $452,600, with median monthly rent at $1,512 and a homeownership rate of 17.3%.
The median age in University of California-Santa Barbara, California is 19.9 years. The population is 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
University of California-Santa Barbara Cdp, CA Climate
University of California-Santa Barbara Cdp, CA has an average annual temperature of 15.7°C (60°F) and receives about 461 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
15.7°C
Avg Temp
461
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12° / 54° | 91 mm |
| February | 13° / 55° | 102 mm |
| March | 13° / 55° | 90 mm |
| April | 14° / 57° | 32 mm |
| May | 16° / 60° | 7 mm |
| June | 17° / 63° | 2 mm |
| July | 20° / 67° | 0 mm |
| August | 20° / 69° | 1 mm |
| September | 20° / 67° | 8 mm |
| October | 18° / 64° | 14 mm |
| November | 15° / 58° | 50 mm |
| December | 12° / 54° | 64 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 University of California-Santa Barbara Cdp, CA
The most comfortable months to visit University of California-Santa Barbara Cdp, CA are typically August, July and September, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 27°C high). The coldest is January (near 6°C low). February is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near University of California-Santa Barbara
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.