Isla Vista, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Isla Vista is a small city in California with a population of 13,717. Residents earn $24,428 per year, which is 67% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
13,717 Population 24,940/sq mi density
$24,428 Median Income $13,289 per capita
$1,241,700 Home Value $1,524,909 Zillow
$1,856 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$24,428 median income, 10.1% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,241,700 home value, $1,856/mo rent
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
40.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $24,428
67% lower than US avg
Home Value $1,241,700
340% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.8%
21% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,856
60% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.1%
181% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.7%
46% lower than US avg

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

People

Population13,717
Median Age21.2 yrs
Density24,940/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 60%
Veterans0.8%

Economy

C
Median Income$24,428
Per Capita$13,289
Unemployment10.1%
Poverty6.7%
County GDP$69,606M
Commute16 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,241,700
Rent$1,856
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,524,909
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease10.0%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain19.0 in/yr
Elevation46 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.8%
High School+90.6%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 56%
Commute16 min
Broadband88.0%
EV Stations1
Libraries24

Is Isla Vista a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Isla Vista receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Isla Vista has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Isla Vista is $24,428, 67% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.1%, unemployment is notably high. Only 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Isla Vista is $1,241,700, making it a premium housing market at 340% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,856 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 50.8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Isla Vista enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Isla Vista has a population of 13,717 with a density of 24,940 people per square mile. The median age is 21.2 years, 46% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60.2%), with 3.2% Hispanic, 4.8% Black.

Population

13,717
Total Population
24,940
People / sq mi
21.2yrs
Median Age
46% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44%
Female 56%

Race & Ethnicity

Isla Vista vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.1%
7% below US avg
Spanish26.9%
101% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Isla Vista vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Isla Vista is $24,428, which is 67% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Isla Vista vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$24,428
67% below US avg
Per Capita Income$13,289
Avg Weekly Wage$1,356
IRS Avg AGI$102,674

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.1%
181% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.7%
46% below US avg
Establishments (County)31,435
County GDP$69,606M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,758
Healthcare3,115
Retail2,556
Manufacturing867

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,383
140% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.68%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.8 min
Drive Alone50.6%
Public Transit3.5%
Work from Home8.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Isla Vista is $1,241,700, 340% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,856 (60% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,524,909.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,241,700
340% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,524,909

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,856
60% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,387
Rent Burden51.0%

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-Occupied1.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,383
140% above US avg
Effective Rate0.68%
In Isla Vista, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 39.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Isla Vista vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes18.9%
Heart Disease10.0%
High Blood Pressure41.2%
Asthma11.6%
COPD12.4%
Stroke5.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.9%
Physical Inactivity39.4%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress23.5%
Physical Distress22.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate70.8%
Premature Death5,626/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access97.7%
Healthcare Facilities3,115

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disasters637

Safety Score

Isla Vista has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average58.4°F
8% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.0 inches
50% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density24,940/sq mi
Coordinates34.4122°N, 119.8607°W
County FIPS06111
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 40.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (21% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 15.1-point margin. 88.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41%
D 56.1%

Winner: Democrat by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.8%
21% above US avg
High School+90.6%
School Test Score4.69
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density24,940/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.0%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities3,115
Restaurants1,758
Retail Stores2,556

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disaster Declarations637

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.8 min
Drive Alone50.6%
Public Transit3.5%
Work from Home8.3%

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