RANK #887 / 996 · POP 445,213 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.4%
Santa Barbara County, often called the "American Riviera," is known for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, visible in landmarks like the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Located on California's Central Coast, it sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, roughly 90 miles north of Los Angeles. The region experiences a mild, Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine annually, making outdoor activities popular year-round. Residents and visitors engage in hiking and biking in the Santa Ynez Mountains, surfing and kayaking along the coast, and exploring areas like El Capitan State Beach or the Arroyo Hondo Preserve.
Life in Santa Barbara County offers a blend of natural beauty and community. The county includes towns like Santa Maria, the largest city by population, and Solvang, known for its Danish Village aesthetic. Commute options include local bus services, regional express routes, and Amtrak train service. The Santa Barbara County Education Office oversees 20 public school districts. The economy is supported by sectors such as agriculture, tourism, wine, and a growing technology presence, with major investment flowing into commercial and residential development, as well as energy.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
La Cumbre Plaza Redevelopment (Residential)
Unknown
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Burton Ranch Lompoc Project
Unknown
|
$150M | Approved |
|
Strauss Wind Farm
Strauss Wind LLC (BayWa r.e. Wind, LLC affiliate)
|
$100M | Operating |
|
GridStor Goleta Battery Energy Storage System
GridStor
|
$60M | Under Construction |
|
Cuyama Solar Project
First Solar, Inc.
|
$40M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Santa Barbara County has a Boom Town Index score of 11/100, ranking #887 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $92,332, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Santa Barbara County is $714,800 with median rent at $1,964/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1292, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.51% of Santa Barbara County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.