Isla Vista, CA
Full City Profile · California · Ventura County County
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
$1,480,803 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, 17.1% 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
Isla Vista enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.0 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 50.
Temperature
53°F Jan (12°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 58.4°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 24,940/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.4122°N, 119.8607°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Ventura County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 50.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 52.2% |
| Unhealthy Days | 15 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0444 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 7.5 ppb |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 5.9 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.4 m (11 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1812 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.4 m | 1 | 24 km |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 120 km |
| 1927 | S. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.8 m | - | 95 km |
| 1878 | S. CALIFORNIA | Meteorological | 1.0 m | 1 | 117 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 124 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (12°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 in | |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 62°F (16°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
Isla Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 12°F / from 53°F in December to 64°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 19.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.7") and August the driest (0.0").