Santa Maria, CA Demographics

A map of Santa Maria's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	87,357	83,968	79.1%	76.5%
White	15,293	16,758	13.8%	15.3%
Asian	4,651	4,999	4.2%	4.6%
Multiracial	1,889	2,017	1.7%	1.8%
Black	874	1,043	0.8%	1.0%
Native American/Other	398	922	0.4%	0.8%

Santa Maria, California has an estimated population of 110,462, a less than 1% change from the 109,707 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 79.1% Hispanic, 13.8% White, 4.2% Asian, 1.7% Multiracial, 0.8% Black, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Santa Maria, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Santa Maria has become less 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 Maria, that probability was 38.8% in 2020 and 35.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Santa Maria is ranked the 61st 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 Maria was ranked the 63rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Santa Maria's White Population

15,293 residents of Santa Maria, or 13.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Santa Maria is significantly lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Santa Maria ranks 1357th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Maria's White population has declined by an estimated 8.7%. White residents' share of Santa Maria's population has decreased from 15.3% to 13.8%.

Santa Maria is more White than neighboring Guadalupe (7.1% White). Santa Maria is less White than neighboring Orcutt (50.9% White), Nipomo (38.7% White), Casmalia (49.1% White), and Garey (100% White).

Santa Maria's Black Population

874 residents of Santa Maria, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Santa Maria is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Santa Maria ranks 746th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Maria's Black population has declined by an estimated 16.2%. Black residents' share of Santa Maria's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Santa Maria is more Black than neighboring Casmalia (0% Black), Guadalupe (0% Black), and Garey (0% Black). Santa Maria is less Black than neighboring Orcutt (1.3% Black).

Santa Maria's Asian Population

4,651 residents of Santa Maria, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Santa Maria is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Santa Maria ranks 505th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Maria's Asian population has declined by an estimated 7.0%. Asian residents' share of Santa Maria's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.2%.

Santa Maria is more Asian than neighboring Orcutt (3.1% Asian), Casmalia (0% Asian), Guadalupe (1.6% Asian), and Garey (0% Asian). Santa Maria is less Asian than neighboring Nipomo (4.4% Asian).

Santa Maria's Hispanic Population

87,357 residents of Santa Maria, or 79.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Santa Maria is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Santa Maria ranks 178th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Maria's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Santa Maria's population has increased from 76.5% to 79.1%.

Santa Maria is more Hispanic than neighboring Orcutt (38.9% Hispanic), Nipomo (51.6% Hispanic), Casmalia (50.9% Hispanic), and Garey (0% Hispanic). Santa Maria is less Hispanic than neighboring Guadalupe (89.8% Hispanic).

Santa Maria's Native American/Other Population

398 residents of Santa Maria, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Santa Maria is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Santa Maria ranks 1177th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Maria's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 56.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Santa Maria's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Santa Maria is more Native American/Other than neighboring Casmalia (0% Native American/Other), and Garey (0% Native American/Other). Santa Maria is less Native American/Other than neighboring Orcutt (0.5% Native American/Other), and Nipomo (0.7% Native American/Other).

Santa Maria's Multiracial Population

1,889 residents of Santa Maria, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Santa Maria is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Santa Maria ranks 1351st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Santa Maria's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Santa Maria's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Santa Maria is more Multiracial than neighboring Casmalia (0% Multiracial), Guadalupe (1.1% Multiracial), and Garey (0% Multiracial). Santa Maria is less Multiracial than neighboring Orcutt (5.3% Multiracial), and Nipomo (3.9% 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.