City · California
Carpinteria, California
Carpinteria, city, in Santa Barbara County, California. Carpinteria had 12,734 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 13,264 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 13,036 (±25). GEOID 0611446.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,734
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,264 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,036 ±25
Median household income
$100,658
±$12,413 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$1,043,100
±$73,408 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,377
±$149 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Carpinteria and what county is it in?
Carpinteria is a city in Santa Barbara County, California. It covers 2.6 square miles of land, 5,125 residents per square mile in 2020.
Carpinteria 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 Carpinteria, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,734 people lived in Carpinteria on July 1, 2025, down 4.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 13,264 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 13,036 (±25).
| Measure | Carpinteria | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,036 ±25 | 443,701 | −469 |
| Households | 5,138 ±327 | 149,608 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.53 ±0.16 | 2.81 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,058 ±432 | 160,592 | no clear change |
Carpinteria's population since 2000
From 14,194 in 2000 to 12,734 in 2025: down 10.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Carpinteria 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 Carpinteria?
The median resident of Carpinteria is 44.8 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 24.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 50.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 43.3%. 21.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carpinteria | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8 ±3.9 | 34.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.1% ±2.4 pts | 22.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.3% ±2.5 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Male | 51.4% ±2.7 pts | 50.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 43.3% ±5.1 pts | 48.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 50.0% ±4.7 pts | 40.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±1.2 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±1.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 21.9% ±3.1 pts | 22.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 36.3% ±4.7 pts | 40.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.3% ±2.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| With a disability | 7.8% ±1.8 pts | 11.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9% ±3.1 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.8% ±2.7 pts | 81.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 44.0% ±4.7 pts | 36.8% | +10.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.4% ±3.0 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.4% ±2.0 pts | 84.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1% ±0.7 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 Carpinteria earn?
Half of Carpinteria's 5,138 households earn less than $100,658 a year (±$12,413), against $98,161 in Santa Barbara County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $94,174 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carpinteria | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $100,658 ±$12,413 | $98,161 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $141,611 ±$14,107 | $140,893 | – |
| Per capita income | $54,901 ±$6,367 | $48,028 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.0% ±3.0 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.5% ±6.3 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.1% ±2.5 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.0% ±1.6 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.8% ±2.3 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 Carpinteria?
Owners occupy 61.5% of Carpinteria's occupied homes and renters 38.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,043,100 by its owner (±$73,408). The median renter pays $2,377 a month including utilities, and 59.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carpinteria | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,043,100 ±$73,408 | $790,700 | +$175,092 |
| Median gross rent | $2,377 ±$149 | $2,131 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 59.0% ±10.1 pts | 49.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,458 ±$286 | $2,973 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.5% ±5.3 pts | 52.4% | +7.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.5% ±5.3 pts | 47.6% | – |
| Housing units | 6,058 ±432 | 160,592 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0% ±7.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 38.1% ±5.0 pts | 56.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.9% ±4.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.0% ±2.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.1% ±1.7 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 many new homes is Carpinteria building?
Builders took permits for 20 new housing units in Carpinteria in 2025 (20 in single-family houses), 1.6 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Carpinteria work and get to work?
67.6% of Carpinteria's workers drive alone and 16.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Carpinteria | Santa Barbara County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.6% ±3.8 pts | 62.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% ±1.9 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.6% ±5.7 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8% ±2.9 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.1% ±1.9 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Walked | 4.8% ±2.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.4% ±3.8 pts | 13.4% | +9.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.9 min ±2.4 | 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 Carpinteria?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Carpinteria, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $91,013 (Tract 17.04) to $120,050 (Tract 16.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 16.01Santa Barbara County | 6,095 | $120,050 |
| Tract 16.04Santa Barbara County | 4,264 | $114,080 |
| Tract 17.04Santa Barbara County | 3,081 | $91,013 |
| Tract 17.06Santa Barbara County | 4,522 | $118,583 |
| Tract 9900Santa Barbara County | 0 | not published |
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 Carpinteria) · Census block assignment files
How does Carpinteria compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Carpinteria is the 2,712th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 345th-most populous of 483 in California.
Carpinteria ranks 441st 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 | 345th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 364th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 240th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 441st | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 330th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 214th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 242nd | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 647th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 299th | 988 |
| Median age | 322nd | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 636th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 400th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 722nd | 1,069 |
Carpinteria's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Carpinteria 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 Carpinteria?
10 of the 57 figures for Carpinteria 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 Carpinteria 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 Carpinteria.