Buellton, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Buellton is a small city in California with a population of 5,090. Residents earn $96,028 per year, which is 28% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
5,090 Population 3,222/sq mi density
$96,028 Median Income $46,257 per capita
$704,200 Home Value $902,492 Zillow
$2,196 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
120 Violent Crime/100K 1,421 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$96,028 median income, 2.0% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$704,200 home value, $2,196/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
120 violent crimes/100K (68% below avg)
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $96,028
28% higher than US avg
Home Value $704,200
150% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 120/100K
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.1%
19% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,196
89% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.0%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.0%
84% lower than US avg

How Buellton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,090
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density3,222/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

A+
Median Income$96,028
Per Capita$46,257
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty2.0%
County GDP$41,425M
Commute30 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$704,200
Rent$2,196
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$902,492

Crime

F
Violent120/100K
Property1,421/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault100/100K
Burglary220/100K

Health

Obesity25.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.6%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain15.4 in/yr
Elevation366 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.1%
High School+94.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 62%
Commute30 min
EV Stations3
Libraries20

Is Buellton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buellton receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Buellton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buellton is $96,028, 28% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buellton is $704,200, making it a premium housing market at 150% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,196 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Buellton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 120 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,421 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Buellton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Buellton has a population of 5,090 with a density of 3,222 people per square mile. The median age is 37.6 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.8%).

Population

5,090
Total Population
3,222
People / sq mi
37.6yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Buellton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only79.4%
1% above US avg
Spanish20.6%
54% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Buellton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buellton is $96,028, which is 28% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Buellton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$96,028
28% above US avg
Per Capita Income$46,257
Avg Weekly Wage$1,340
IRS Avg AGI$108,768

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.0%
84% below US avg
Establishments (County)17,497
County GDP$41,425M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,253
Healthcare1,508
Retail1,476
Manufacturing521

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,996
214% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.8 min
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Buellton is $704,200, 150% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,196 (89% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $902,492.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$704,200
150% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$902,492
Median List Price$975,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$975,000
$/Sq Ft$498
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio101.6%
Price Drops18.2%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,196
89% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$4,200

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,996
214% above US avg
Effective Rate1.56%
In Buellton, 25.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.6% report depression. 17.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Buellton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.0%
22% below US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure26.6%
Asthma9.8%
COPD4.1%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity17.9%
Depression22.6%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Checkup Rate70.4%
Premature Death6,123/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access92.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,508
Buellton has a violent crime rate of 120 per 100,000 residents, 68% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,421 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Buellton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent120.1/100K
68% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery20.0/100K
Assault100.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,420.9/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary220.1/100K
Theft1,080.7/100K
Vehicle Theft120.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Buellton has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average59.3°F
10% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.4 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation366 ft (112 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density3,222/sq mi
Coordinates34.6155°N, 120.1942°W
County FIPS06083
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 40.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (19% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 26.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 35.1%
D 61.8%

Winner: Democrat by 26.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.1%
19% above US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score4.69
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density3,222/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries20
Healthcare Facilities1,508
Restaurants1,253
Retail Stores1,476

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.8 min
Work from Home10.6%

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