Montecito, CA Demographics

A map of Montecito's Population by Race

Montecito, California has an estimated population of 9,031, an increase from the 8,638 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 78.4% White, 11.1% Hispanic, 7.1% Multiracial, 2.8% Asian, 0.3% Black, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Montecito, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Montecito has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Montecito, that probability was 29.3% in 2020 and 36.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Montecito is ranked the 516th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Montecito was ranked the 522nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Montecito's White Population

7,079 residents of Montecito, or 78.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Montecito is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Montecito ranks 125th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Montecito's White population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. White residents' share of Montecito's population has decreased from 83.5% to 78.4%.

Montecito is more White than neighboring Summerland (44.5% White), Toro Canyon (68.2% White), Santa Barbara (52.8% White), Mission Canyon (70.9% White), and Carpinteria (50% White).

Montecito's Black Population

23 residents of Montecito, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Montecito is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Montecito ranks 991st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Montecito's Black population has declined by an estimated 54.9%. Black residents' share of Montecito's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Montecito is more Black than neighboring Summerland (0% Black). Montecito is less Black than neighboring Toro Canyon (0.5% Black), Santa Barbara (1.4% Black), Mission Canyon (2.5% Black), and Carpinteria (0.9% Black).

Montecito's Asian Population

252 residents of Montecito, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Montecito is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Montecito ranks 742nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Montecito's Asian population has grown by an estimated 19.4%. Asian residents' share of Montecito's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Montecito is more Asian than neighboring Toro Canyon (1.6% Asian), Mission Canyon (1.6% Asian), and Carpinteria (2% Asian). Montecito is less Asian than neighboring Summerland (14.7% Asian), and Santa Barbara (3.5% Asian).

Montecito's Hispanic Population

1,003 residents of Montecito, or 11.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Montecito is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Montecito ranks 1363rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Montecito's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 41.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Montecito's population has increased from 8.2% to 11.1%.

Montecito is less Hispanic than neighboring Summerland (36.4% Hispanic), Toro Canyon (13.3% Hispanic), Santa Barbara (36.4% Hispanic), Mission Canyon (14.6% Hispanic), and Carpinteria (43.3% Hispanic).

Montecito's Native American/Other Population

31 residents of Montecito, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Montecito is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Montecito ranks 988th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Montecito's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 65.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Montecito's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.3%.

Montecito is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mission Canyon (0% Native American/Other). Montecito is less Native American/Other than neighboring Summerland (2.8% Native American/Other), Toro Canyon (12.2% Native American/Other), and Santa Barbara (1.5% Native American/Other).

Montecito's Multiracial Population

643 residents of Montecito, or 7.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Montecito is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Montecito ranks 910th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Montecito's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 76.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Montecito's population has increased from 4.2% to 7.1%.

Montecito is more Multiracial than neighboring Summerland (1.6% Multiracial), Toro Canyon (4.3% Multiracial), Santa Barbara (4.4% Multiracial), and Carpinteria (3.6% Multiracial). Montecito is less Multiracial than neighboring Mission Canyon (10.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.