City · California
Buellton, California
Buellton, city, in Santa Barbara County, California. Buellton had 5,158 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,161 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,074 (±32). GEOID 0608758.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,158
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,161 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,074 ±32
Median household income
$99,936
±$26,790 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$837,400
±$58,376 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,194
±$104 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Buellton and what county is it in?
Buellton is a city in Santa Barbara County, California. It covers 1.6 square miles of land, 3,262 residents per square mile in 2020.
Buellton is in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Buellton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,158 people lived in Buellton on July 1, 2025, down 0.8% since 2020, in line with California (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 5,161 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,074 (±32).
| Measure | Buellton | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,074 ±32 | 443,701 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,886 ±146 | 149,608 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.69 ±0.21 | 2.81 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,182 ±252 | 160,592 | no clear change |
Buellton's population since 2000
From 3,828 in 2000 to 5,158 in 2025: up 34.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Buellton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Buellton?
The median resident of Buellton is 39.0 years old; 20.7% are under 18 and 14.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.1%. 17.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buellton | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0 ±3.8 | 34.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.7% ±3.9 pts | 22.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.7% ±4.4 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Male | 48.9% ±3.5 pts | 50.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.1% ±6.6 pts | 48.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 65.9% ±8.0 pts | 40.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±1.1 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±1.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±2.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 17.5% ±7.4 pts | 22.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 28.5% ±7.3 pts | 40.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3% ±2.2 pts | 4.6% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5% ±3.9 pts | 11.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6% ±2.6 pts | 8.7% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.5% ±4.3 pts | 81.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.4% ±5.4 pts | 36.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.7% ±5.8 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.4% ±3.6 pts | 84.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3% ±2.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Buellton earn?
Half of Buellton's 1,886 households earn less than $99,936 a year (±$26,790), against $98,161 in Santa Barbara County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $114,576 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buellton | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $99,936 ±$26,790 | $98,161 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $127,116 ±$14,407 | $140,893 | – |
| Per capita income | $47,615 ±$5,235 | $48,028 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 4.9% ±3.2 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.4% ±6.3 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.1% ±3.4 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.2% ±1.1 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.3% ±2.6 pts | 92.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Buellton?
Owners occupy 58.7% of Buellton's occupied homes and renters 41.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $837,400 by its owner (±$58,376). The median renter pays $2,194 a month including utilities, and 24.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buellton | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $837,400 ±$58,376 | $790,700 | +$193,870 |
| Median gross rent | $2,194 ±$104 | $2,131 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.6% ±12.7 pts | 49.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,109 ±$330 | $2,973 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.7% ±9.4 pts | 52.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.3% ±9.4 pts | 47.6% | – |
| Housing units | 2,182 ±252 | 160,592 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5% ±5.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.0% ±9.0 pts | 56.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.4% ±7.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.2% ±4.7 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.9% ±1.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Buellton work and get to work?
69.5% of Buellton's workers drive alone and 15.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.4 minutes.
| Measure | Buellton | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 76.6% ±5.8 pts | 62.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.2% ±1.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 69.5% ±9.9 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.6% ±4.9 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±1.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.6% ±9.5 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.4 min ±4.6 | 20.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Buellton?
1 census tract lies mostly in Buellton, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 19.12Santa Barbara County | 5,074 | $99,936 |
| Tract 31.02Santa Barbara County | 3,019 | $109,107 |
| Tract 19.11Santa Barbara County | 1,802 | $78,951 |
| Tract 19.07Santa Barbara County | 808 | $70,417 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Buellton) · Census block assignment files
How does Buellton compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Buellton is the 4,798th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 426th-most populous of 483 in California.
Buellton ranks 448th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 426th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 201st | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 415th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 448th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 446th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 323rd | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 322nd | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 767th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 362nd | 988 |
| Median age | 575th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 707th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 423rd | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 490th | 1,069 |
Buellton's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Buellton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Buellton?
16 of the 57 figures for Buellton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Buellton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Buellton.