Home Value $34,800

88% lower than US avg

Bachelor's+ 3.5%

90% lower than US avg

Obesity Rate 43.7%

36% higher than US avg

Unemployment 0.0%

100% lower than US avg

Poverty Rate 27.3%

120% higher than US avg

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

People

Population600

Median Age50.2 yrs

Density2,143/mi²

Male / Female47% / 53%

Largest GroupWhite 58%

Veterans2.2%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A

Per Capita$17,122

Unemployment0.0%

Poverty27.3%

County GDP$17,387M

Commute25 min

Housing

Home Value$34,800

RentN/A

OwnershipN/A

Housing Units188

Rent Burden30.5%

Health

Obesity43.7%

Uninsured44.6%

Smoking16.6%

Depression19.8%

Heart Disease7.6%

Climate

Avg Temp75°F (24°C)

AQI42 (Good)

Rain25.7 in/yr

Sunny Days312/yr

Elevation67 ft (20 m)

Education

Bachelor's+3.5%

High School+43.6%

Graduate+0.0%

School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 47%

Commute25 min

Broadband69.0%

Libraries9

Is Santa Maria a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Santa Maria receives an overall livability score of 1.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of F. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate, high obesity rates. Santa Maria faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 27.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Santa Maria is $34,800, 88% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership.

Education

3.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 43.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Santa Maria has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F. Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 86°F in July. With 312 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 25.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Santa Maria has a population of 600 with a density of 2,143 people per square mile. The median age is 50.2 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (57.8%).

Population

600

Total Population

2,143

People / sq mi

50.2yrs

Median Age

29% above US avg

0.3mi²

Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%

Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Santa Maria vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only	25.9%
	67% below US avg
Spanish	74.1%
	453% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Santa Maria vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Santa Maria is N/A. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 27.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Santa Maria vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income


Per Capita Income	$17,122
Avg Weekly Wage	$857
IRS Avg AGI	$48,428

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment	0.0%
	100% below US avg
Poverty Rate	27.3%
	120% above US avg
Establishments (County)	7,200
County GDP	$17,387M

Business (County)

Restaurants	815
Healthcare	1,060
Retail	1,030
Manufacturing	186

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)	$6,394
	83% above US avg
Cost of Living	97.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate	18.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time	24.6 min
Drive Alone	96.0%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Santa Maria is $34,800, 88% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median	$34,800
	88% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs


Rent Burden	30.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio	$887
1 Bedroom	$935
2 Bedrooms	$1,149
3 Bedrooms	$1,497
4 Bedrooms	$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied	100.0%
Housing Units	188
Median Year Built	1975

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)	$6,394
	83% above US avg
Effective Rate	18.37%

In Santa Maria, 43.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 44.6% of residents lack health insurance. 16.6% are current smokers. 19.8% report depression. 43.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Santa Maria vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity	43.7%
	36% above US avg
Diabetes	20.3%
Heart Disease	7.6%
High Blood Pressure	34.9%
Asthma	9.1%
COPD	6.8%
Cancer	4.0%
Stroke	4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking	16.6%
	19% above US avg
Binge Drinking	15.0%
Physical Inactivity	43.7%
Depression	19.8%
Mental Distress	18.5%
Physical Distress	18.8%
Short Sleep	42.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate	67.0%
Uninsured	44.6%
	419% above US avg
Primary Care	1:2,034
Dentists	1:3,127
Mental Health	1:1,028
Checkup Rate	69.7%
Dental Visits	37.3%
Premature Death	9,065/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment	4.8/10
Exercise Access	74.5%
Healthcare Facilities	1,060

Santa Maria has an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 86°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.7 inches. The area enjoys 312 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 86°F Jul (30°C)

Annual Average	75.0°F
	39% above US avg
January Average	61°F (16°C)
July Average	86°F (30°C)
Sunny Days	312 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall	25.7 inches
	32% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Geography

Elevation	67 ft (20 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density	2,143/sq mi
Coordinates	26.0770°N, 97.8474°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Cameron County County
County FIPS	48061

Santa Maria is located in Cameron County County. It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 3.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 5.8-point margin. 69.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 52.5%

D 46.7%

Winner: Republican by 5.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+	3.5%
	90% below US avg
High School+	43.6%
Graduate Degree+	0.0%
School Test Score	5.10

F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2	Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density	2,143/sq mi
Total Area	0.3 sq mi
County	Cameron County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access	69.0%
Public Libraries	9
Healthcare Facilities	1,060
Restaurants	815
Retail Stores	1,030

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	32
FEMA Disaster Declarations	91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute	24.6 min
Drive Alone	96.0%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	0.0%

Santa Maria, TX

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

People

Economy

Housing

Health

Climate

Education

Community

Is Santa Maria a Good Place to Live?

Economy & Jobs

Cost of Living & Housing

Education

Climate & Weather

Population

Gender Distribution

Race & Ethnicity

Santa Maria vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Social Characteristics

Santa Maria vs U.S. Average

Income: Santa Maria vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Employment & Poverty

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Ownership & Property

Property Tax

Health Metrics: Santa Maria vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

Temperature

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

Geography

2024 Presidential Election (County)

Education

Urban-Rural Classification

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities