Santa Barbara, CA Demographics

A map of Santa Barbara's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	46,347	45,882	52.8%	51.7%
Hispanic	31,966	34,344	36.4%	38.7%
Multiracial	3,852	3,401	4.4%	3.8%
Asian	3,109	3,047	3.5%	3.4%
Native American/Other	1,286	905	1.5%	1.0%
Black	1,219	1,086	1.4%	1.2%

Santa Barbara, California has an estimated population of 87,779, a less than 1% change from the 88,665 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 52.8% White, 36.4% Hispanic, 4.4% Multiracial, 3.5% Asian, 1.5% Native American/Other, and 1.4% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Santa Barbara, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Santa Barbara has become slightly 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 Santa Barbara, that probability was 57.9% in 2020 and 58.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Santa Barbara is ranked the 95th 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). Santa Barbara was ranked the 93rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Santa Barbara's White Population

46,347 residents of Santa Barbara, or 52.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Santa Barbara is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Santa Barbara ranks 913th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Barbara's White population has grown by an estimated 1.0%. White residents' share of Santa Barbara's population has increased from 51.7% to 52.8%.

Santa Barbara is more White than neighboring Summerland (44.5% White), and University of California-Santa Barbara (45.6% White). Santa Barbara is less White than neighboring Mission Canyon (70.9% White), Montecito (78.4% White), and Eastern Goleta Valley (63.1% White).

Santa Barbara's Black Population

1,219 residents of Santa Barbara, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Santa Barbara is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Santa Barbara ranks 640th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Barbara's Black population has grown by an estimated 12.2%. Black residents' share of Santa Barbara's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

Santa Barbara is more Black than neighboring Montecito (0.3% Black), and Summerland (0% Black). Santa Barbara is less Black than neighboring Mission Canyon (2.5% Black), and University of California-Santa Barbara (1.7% Black).

Santa Barbara's Asian Population

3,109 residents of Santa Barbara, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Santa Barbara is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Santa Barbara ranks 612th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Barbara's Asian population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. Asian residents' share of Santa Barbara's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Santa Barbara is more Asian than neighboring Mission Canyon (1.6% Asian), and Montecito (2.8% Asian). Santa Barbara is less Asian than neighboring Eastern Goleta Valley (4.8% Asian), Summerland (14.7% Asian), and University of California-Santa Barbara (29.1% Asian).

Santa Barbara's Hispanic Population

31,966 residents of Santa Barbara, or 36.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Santa Barbara is slightly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Santa Barbara ranks 499th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Barbara's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 6.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Santa Barbara's population has decreased from 38.7% to 36.4%.

Santa Barbara is more Hispanic than neighboring Mission Canyon (14.6% Hispanic), Montecito (11.1% Hispanic), Eastern Goleta Valley (26% Hispanic), and University of California-Santa Barbara (17.3% Hispanic).

Santa Barbara's Native American/Other Population

1,286 residents of Santa Barbara, or 1.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Santa Barbara is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Santa Barbara ranks 999th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Barbara's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 42.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Santa Barbara's population has increased from 1.0% to 1.5%.

Santa Barbara is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mission Canyon (0% Native American/Other), Montecito (0.3% Native American/Other), and Eastern Goleta Valley (0.3% Native American/Other). Santa Barbara is less Native American/Other than neighboring Summerland (2.8% Native American/Other), and University of California-Santa Barbara (1.8% Native American/Other).

Santa Barbara's Multiracial Population

3,852 residents of Santa Barbara, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Santa Barbara is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Santa Barbara ranks 1009th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Barbara's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 13.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Santa Barbara's population has increased from 3.8% to 4.4%.

Santa Barbara is more Multiracial than neighboring Summerland (1.6% Multiracial). Santa Barbara is less Multiracial than neighboring Mission Canyon (10.4% Multiracial), Montecito (7.1% Multiracial), and University of California-Santa Barbara (4.5% 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.