Santa Barbara County, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 20th-largest in California
The population of Santa Barbara County, California is 443,975 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 20th-largest county in California. The median household income is $95,977, the median home value is $735,700, and the median age is 34.5.
The population of Santa Barbara County has grown 4.8% since 2010 (424,218 → 444,500), a +0.33% annualized rate.
443,975
Population
+0.33%
Annual growth
162
People / sq mi
$95,977
Median Income
$735,700
Median Home Value
Santa Barbara County covers 2,734 sq mi of land at 162.4 people per square mile.
About Santa Barbara County, CA
Santa Barbara County is a county in California with a population of 443,975. It ranks #20 among counties in California by population. The median age is 34.5, younger than the national median. The population is 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
The median household income in Santa Barbara County is $95,977, above the US median of $74,580. 7.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $735,700, with monthly rent averaging $2,050. The homeownership rate of 52.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Santa Barbara County reflects 35.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 12.5% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.8 minutes each way.
Santa Barbara County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Santa Barbara County had a population of 424,218 in 2010 and 444,500 in 2024, a 4.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 448,083 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.34%.
444,500
Population (2024)
424,218
Population (2010)
448,083
Peak (2020)
0.34%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 424,218 |
| 2011 | 425,404 |
| 2012 | 429,635 |
| 2013 | 434,503 |
| 2014 | 438,921 |
| 2015 | 442,051 |
| 2016 | 444,112 |
| 2017 | 444,998 |
| 2018 | 445,137 |
| 2019 | 445,464 |
| 2020 | 448,083 |
| 2021 | 437,117 |
| 2022 | 445,286 |
| 2023 | 443,521 |
| 2024 | 444,500 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 54.3% |
| Black or African American | 1.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
34.5
Median Age
49.8%
Female
50.2%
Male
16.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 18.6% · Seniors (65+): 16.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $95,977$-357 vs state |
| Mean household income | $137,063 |
| Per-capita income | $46,679 |
| Poverty rate | 7.6%-0.8% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% |
| Employment-to-population | 58.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Santa Barbara County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.0% of workers.
How residents commute
2.3%
Drive alone
3.9%
Carpool
65.3%
Public transit
12.5%
Work from home
20.8 min
Avg commute
Housing
$735,700+$40,300 vs state
Median home value
$2,050
Median rent
52.9%
Homeownership rate
159,766
Total housing units
93.2%
Occupied
6.8%
Vacant
47.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
90.8%
With health insurance
96.0%
With broadband internet
18.3%
Foreign-born
5.0%
Veterans (18+)
11.1%
With a disability
60.0%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
82.1%
High School+
35.9%
Bachelor's+
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Part of California
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County rankings
Common questions about Santa Barbara County, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Barbara County, California has a population of 443,975 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 20th-largest county in California. Population density is 162 people per square mile.
The population of Santa Barbara County has grown 4.8% since 2010 (424,218 → 444,500), a +0.33% annualized rate.
The median household income in Santa Barbara County, California is $95,977, with mean (average) household income of $137,063 and per-capita income of $46,679. 7.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Santa Barbara County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (54.3%), Hispanic or Latino (3.6%), Black or African American (1.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Santa Barbara County, California is 34.5 years. Residents are 49.8% female and 50.2% male.
The median home value in Santa Barbara County is $735,700 and median monthly rent is $2,050. 52.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 159,766 total housing units, 6.8% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Santa Barbara County, California is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.
Los Angeles is among the largest cities associated with Santa Barbara County, California, with a population of 3,857,897.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.