Santa Ynez, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Santa Ynez is a small town in California with a population of 4,725. Residents earn $117,500 per year, which is 56% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
4,725 Population 978/sq mi density
$117,500 Median Income $64,240 per capita
$1,121,000 Home Value $1,806,037 Zillow
$2,740 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$117,500 median income, 0.4% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.3 / 5.0
$1,121,000 home value, $2,740/mo rent
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $117,500
56% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,121,000
298% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.1%
4% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,740
136% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.7%
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,725
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density978/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A+
Median Income$117,500
Per Capita$64,240
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$41,425M
Commute29 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,121,000
Rent$2,740
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,806,037

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity25.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain15.4 in/yr
Elevation650 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.1%
High School+92.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 62%
Commute29 min
EV Stations10
Libraries20

Is Santa Ynez a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Santa Ynez receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Santa Ynez offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Santa Ynez is $117,500, which is significantly higher than the national average — 56% above $75,149. This places Santa Ynez among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Santa Ynez is $1,121,000, making it a premium housing market at 298% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,740 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 92.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Santa Ynez 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.

Santa Ynez has a population of 4,725 with a density of 978 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%).

Population

4,725
Total Population
978
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
4.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Santa Ynez vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only78.3%
0% below US avg
Spanish21.7%
62% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Santa Ynez vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Santa Ynez is $117,500, which is 56% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Santa Ynez vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$117,500
56% above US avg
Per Capita Income$64,240
Avg Weekly Wage$1,340
IRS Avg AGI$108,768

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
27% 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 Rate0.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.1 min
Work from Home23.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Santa Ynez is $1,121,000, 298% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,740 (136% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,806,037.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,121,000
298% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,806,037
Median List Price$1,685,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,685,000
$/Sq Ft$625
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio96.7%
Price Drops17.7%
Inventory17

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,740
136% 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-Occupied68.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,996
214% above US avg
Effective Rate0.98%
In Santa Ynez, 25.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 19.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.7%
20% below US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity19.0%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.0%
Checkup Rate70.0%
Premature Death6,123/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access92.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,508

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Santa Ynez 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

Elevation650 ft (198 m)
Area4.8 sq mi (12.5 km²)
Population Density978/sq mi
Coordinates34.6175°N, 120.0964°W
County FIPS06083
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 35.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (4% 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+35.1%
4% above US avg
High School+92.2%
School Test Score4.69
B+ Education Grade (3.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density978/sq mi
Total Area4.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries20
Healthcare Facilities1,508
Restaurants1,253
Retail Stores1,476

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.1 min
Work from Home23.8%

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