Santa Barbara
citySanta Barbara is a coastal city located in Santa Barbara County, California, and serves as the county seat. Situated along a south-facing coastline between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, it boasts a Mediterranean climate, earning it the nickname "The American Riviera". As of 2020, the city's population was 88,665. Santa Barbara has a diverse economy encompassing service, education, technology, healthcare, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, and local government. Key industries in Santa Barbara County include agriculture, tourism, winemaking, engineering, and resource extraction. The largest employer in Santa Barbara County is the government, followed by private education and healthcare, and then leisure and hospitality. Santa Barbara is known for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, which was largely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1925. The city is also known for its beautiful setting, nestled between the mountains and the sea, and its mild climate, making it a popular tourist destination. The presence of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and other higher learning institutions contributes to the city's vibrant culture.
Santa Barbara, California
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 06-69070
- Country
- United States
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Region
- California Central Coast
- Total Area
- 42 sq mi
- Land Area
- 19.5 sq mi
- Water Area
- 22.5 sq mi
- Latitude
- 34.417
- Longitude
- -119.7
- Climate
- Warm-summer Mediterranean climate with moderate temperatures due to ocean breezes.
- Notable Features
- Santa Ynez Mountains · Pacific Ocean · Santa Barbara Channel
- Neighboring Areas
- Goleta · Montecito · Carpinteria
- Population (2020)
- 88,665
- Est. Population (2024)
- 87,779
- Median Age
- 39.7
- Median Income
- $106,182
- Poverty Rate
- 14%
- Owner-Occupied
- 39.9%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial composition of Santa Barbara includes 52.8% White, 36.4% Hispanic or Latino, 4.4% Two or More Races, 3.65% Asian, and smaller percentages for Black or African American, Native American, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander populations.
- Government Type
- Council–manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- Santa Barbara Unified School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation
- Unemployment Rate
- 2.9%
- Economic Profile
- Tourism · Service Sector · Technology · Education · Healthcare
- Employment Sectors
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services · Health Care & Social Assistance · Accommodation & Food Services
- Major Employers
- Government · Private Education · Healthcare · Leisure and Hospitality
- Schools
- 98
- Students
- 8,779
- School Districts
- Santa Barbara Unified School District
- Colleges & Universities
- University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) · Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) · Westmont College · Antioch University Santa Barbara
- Transportation
- Highway 101 · Amtrak · Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (SBMTD) · Bicycle routes
- Utilities
- Water · Power · Broadband
- Major Facilities
- Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital · Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) · Earl Warren Showgrounds
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Beaches · Parks · Santa Ynez Mountains · Cachuma Lake
- Parks & Trails
- Alameda Park · Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden · Douglas Family Preserve · Mission Historical Park
- Founded
- 1782
- Incorporated
- 1850
- Named After
- Saint Barbara
- Historical Significance
- From its origins as a Spanish settlement and mission, Santa Barbara has evolved into a diverse and economically significant resort destination, known for its preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage.
- Key Events
- Establishment of the Presidio in 1782 · Founding of the Santa Barbara Mission in 1786 · American Conquest in 1846 · Rebuilding after the 1925 earthquake