Santa Paula, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Santa Paula is a mid-size city in California with a population of 31,202. Residents earn $77,130 per year, which is 3% above the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
31,202 Population 5,642/sq mi density
$77,130 Median Income $30,453 per capita
$559,300 Home Value $705,418 Zillow
$1,698 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
281 Violent Crime/100K 1,477 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$77,130 median income, 3.9% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$559,300 home value, $1,698/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
281 violent crimes/100K (26% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $77,130
3% higher than US avg
Home Value $559,300
98% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 281/100K
26% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.7%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,698
46% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.6%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.2%
2% lower than US avg

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

People

Population31,202
Median Age35.2 yrs
Density5,642/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 60%

Economy

B+
Median Income$77,130
Per Capita$30,453
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty12.2%
County GDP$69,606M
Commute27 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$559,300
Rent$1,698
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$705,418

Crime

F
Violent281/100K
Property1,477/100K
Murder9.9/100K
Assault202/100K
Burglary244/100K

Health

Obesity30.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.6%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.0 in/yr
Elevation292 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+64.7%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 56%
Commute27 min
EV Stations7
Libraries24

Is Santa Paula a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Santa Paula receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Santa Paula has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Santa Paula is $77,130, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Santa Paula is $559,300, making it a premium housing market at 98% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,698 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

Violent crime in Santa Paula is below the national average at 281 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,477 per 100,000, 25% below the national average.

Education

14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 64.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Santa Paula enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Santa Paula has a population of 31,202 with a density of 5,642 people per square mile. The median age is 35.2 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60.4%), with 2.6% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

31,202
Total Population
5,642
People / sq mi
35.2yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
5.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Santa Paula vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only34.7%
56% below US avg
Spanish65.3%
387% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Santa Paula vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Santa Paula is $77,130, which is 3% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Santa Paula vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$77,130
3% above US avg
Per Capita Income$30,453
Avg Weekly Wage$1,356
IRS Avg AGI$102,674

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.2%
2% 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 Rate1.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home4.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Santa Paula is $559,300, 98% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,698 (46% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $705,418.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$559,300
98% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$705,418
Median List Price$799,990

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$799,990
$/Sq Ft$459
Homes Sold11
Sale-to-List Ratio99.1%
Price Drops22.9%
Inventory48

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,698
46% above US avg

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-Occupied53.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,383
140% above US avg
Effective Rate1.50%
In Santa Paula, 30.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.6% report depression. 32.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.6%
5% below US avg
Diabetes13.3%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.2%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity32.5%
Depression20.6%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.6%
Checkup Rate69.8%
Premature Death5,626/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access97.7%
Healthcare Facilities3,115
Santa Paula has a violent crime rate of 281 per 100,000 residents, 26% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,477 per 100,000 (25% below US avg). The murder rate is 9.9 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent280.8/100K
26% below US avg
Murder9.9/100K
57% above US avg
Rape9.9/100K
Robbery59.5/100K
Assault201.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,476.8/100K
25% below US avg
Burglary244.5/100K
Theft1,060.5/100K
Vehicle Theft171.8/100K
Arson9.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disasters637

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Santa Paula has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average62.5°F
16% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.0 inches
68% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation292 ft (89 m)
Area5.5 sq mi (14.3 km²)
Population Density5,642/sq mi
Coordinates34.3549°N, 119.0663°W
County FIPS06111
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41%
D 56.1%

Winner: Democrat by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.7%
56% below US avg
High School+64.7%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density5,642/sq mi
Total Area5.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities3,115
Restaurants1,758
Retail Stores2,556

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disaster Declarations637
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home4.6%

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