Santa Ynez, CA
Full City Profile · California · Santa Barbara County County
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
$1,875,979 Zillow
$2,740
Median Rent
34.4% income on rent
60°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, 0.7% 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
Santa Ynez enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.1 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49.
Temperature
51°F Jan (10°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 60.1°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Area | 5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 978/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.6175°N, 120.0964°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Santa Barbara County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 49.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 52.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0360 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 1.5 ppb |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.27 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.08 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 5.4 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| 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 | 50 km |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 149 km |
| 1927 | S. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.8 m | - | 66 km |
| 1878 | S. CALIFORNIA | Meteorological | 1.0 m | 1 | 85 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 150 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (10°C) | 4.9 in | |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 0.0 in | |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
Santa Ynez has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 50°F in December to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 21.1 inches, with February being the wettest month (5.3") and August the driest (0.0").