Santa Barbara County Real Estate and Livability Trends
Santa Barbara County has experienced a significant increase in average taxable income, jumping from $67,566.07 in 2013 to $115,766.16 by 2021, paralleled by a rise in state and local income taxes. Meanwhile, the median home values rocketed from $465,300 in 2015 to $714,800 in 2022, signaling strong property market growth. Interestingly, mortgage counts surged in 2020 and 2021, pointing to... Read more
Santa Barbara County Market Trends
Santa Barbara County's median home values have surged from $465,300 in 2015 to $714,800 in 2022, outpacing California's overall growth. Residential energy tax credits also peaked at $4301.92 in 2018, reflecting a push towards sustainable living. Real estate taxes climbed from $5,368.84 in 2012 to $10,191.15 by 2021, indicating increasing property values. Farm tax returns percentage decreased,... Read more
Median Value of Occupied Housing Units in Santa Barbara County, California Over the Last 8 Years
Santa Barbara County's median home values have seen a strong upward trajectory over the past eight years, soaring from $465,300 in 2015 to $714,800 in 2022. This growth substantially outpaces both the state of California, where median values rose from $385,500 to $659,300 in the same period, and the national figures, which moved from $125,500 to $179,400. Investors and potential homebuyers interested in Santa Barbara County may find these trends indicative of a robust and escalating market, potentially signaling strong future returns.
Residential Energy Tax Credit Per Tax Return in Santa Barbara County, CA Over the Last 9 Years
Over the past nine years, Santa Barbara County, California, has seen a significant rise in residential energy tax credits per tax return, peaking at $4301.92 in 2018. This upward trend underscores growing investments in energy-efficient home improvements and renewable energy systems. Investors, prospective homeowners, and current residents can infer a strong local commitment to sustainable living, reflected in higher credits and potentially lower long-term energy costs.
Average Real Estate Taxes Per Tax Return in Santa Barbara County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
Over the past decade, Santa Barbara County has seen a consistent increase in average real estate taxes per tax return, starting at around $5,368.84 in 2012 and climbing to approximately $10,191.15 by 2021. This steady rise signals a growing demand and potential increase in property values, which could be of interest to investors and prospective homeowners. The sharpest upticks occurred between 2016 and 2021, which might suggest an accelerated growth period, likely tied to market dynamics in California.
Percentage of Farm Returns in Santa Barbara County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
Over the last decade, Santa Barbara County, California has seen a gradual decline in the percentage of farm tax returns, starting from around 0.61% in 2012 to approximately 0.49% by 2021. Farm tax returns reflect the number of farmers filing for agricultural-related tax deductions and credits, giving insights into the agricultural economic health and potentially indicating a slight decrease in farm operations or profitability in the region. For anyone interested in investing, moving to, building property in, or generally staying informed about Santa Barbara County, these trends might suggest a need to assess the stability and growth potential of the local agriculture sector.
Number of Mortgages by Occupancy Type in Santa Barbara County, CA Over the Last 5 Years in Santa Barbara County
Over the past five years, Santa Barbara County, California has observed notable fluctuations in mortgage counts across different occupancy types, with a significant surge in principal residence mortgages peaking around 2020 and 2021. Investment property mortgages also saw a marked increase during these peak years compared to earlier periods. Second residences have maintained relatively stable, albeit lower, mortgage numbers. These shifts matter because they offer insights into the economic landscape, housing demand, and investment opportunities in the area. Recognizing these patterns can inform decisions for investors looking for profitable ventures, appraisers assessing property values, and insurance agents evaluating risk levels. Real estate agents and developers can leverage this data to better cater to market demands, while residents and those considering relocation can better understand the evolving housing dynamics in Santa Barbara County.
Economic Outlook
Santa Barbara County has seen a consistent rise in average taxable income per tax return over the past nine years, skyrocketing from $67,566.07 in 2013 to $115,766.16 by 2021. Interestingly, state and local income taxes per tax return also soared, jumping from $13,245.66 in 2012 to $43,038.83 in 2021, reflecting a heightened tax burden. The county's average total tax liability per tax return similarly climbed, hinting at economic growth potentially driven by rising property values or higher... Read more
Average Taxable Income per Tax Return in Santa Barbara County, CA over the last 9 years
Santa Barbara County has seen a consistent rise in average taxable income per tax return over the past nine years, with notable jumps in recent years. Starting at $67,566.07 in 2013, the figure climbed to $115,766.16 by 2021. The sharpest increases occurred between 2019 and 2021, reflecting a potentially strong local economy and higher income brackets, making the county an attractive option for investors or those considering relocation.
Average State and Local Income Taxes Per Tax Return in Santa Barbara County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
Over the past decade, Santa Barbara County, CA has seen a significant increase in average state and local income taxes per tax return, with a notable jump from $13,245.66 in 2012 to $43,038.83 in 2021. This upward trend highlights the growing tax burden on residents, which could impact decisions for those considering relocation and could also influence current residents' financial planning and lifestyle. The dramatic rise, especially from 2019 onward, suggests increasing fiscal demands and potential shifts in local economic policies or living costs.
Average Total Tax Liability Per Tax Return in Santa Barbara County, CA Over the Last 10 Years
Over the past decade, Santa Barbara County has seen a notable increase in average total tax liability per tax return, climbing from $14,153.32 in 2012 to $24,535.58 in 2021. A sharp rise was observed in the last couple of years, jumping from $17,303.34 in 2019 to $24,535.58 in 2021. This suggests an economic growth in the area, potentially driven by escalating property values or higher income levels, making the county a more substantial commitment for residents and investors alike.
Cost of Living in Santa Barbara County
| Family Size | Housing | Food | Heath Care | Child Care | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults 4 children | $3,520 | $1,564 | $2,315 | $2,621 | $3,290 |
| 1 adult 4 children | $3,520 | $1,278 | $1,787 | $2,621 | $3,417 |
| 2 adults 3 children | $3,520 | $1,278 | $2,000 | $2,621 | $2,980 |
| 1 adult 3 children | $3,520 | $1,043 | $1,472 | $2,621 | $3,064 |
| 2 adults 2 children | $2,667 | $1,046 | $1,685 | $2,301 | $2,246 |
| 1 adult 2 children | $2,667 | $781 | $1,157 | $2,301 | $2,393 |
| 2 adults 1 child | $2,667 | $827 | $1,370 | $1,260 | $1,754 |
| 1 adult 1 child | $2,667 | $534 | $843 | $1,260 | $1,809 |
| 2 adults | $2,350 | $664 | $1,056 | $0 | $1,170 |
| 1 adult | $2,040 | $362 | $528 | $0 | $1,184 |
Safety trends & Data
Santa Barbara County, California, has seen notable shifts in property crime rates over the past five years, with burglary arrests dropping dramatically from 423 in 2018 to just 50 in 2021. However, arson incidents spiked to 41 in 2022, while motor vehicle theft arrests increased to 172 from 125 in 2018. Fraud incidents remain fairly stable but experienced a slight uptick in 2022 with 108 reported cases. These fluctuating crime trends offer important considerations for real estate investors,... Read more
Property Crime Trends in Santa Barbara County, CA Over the Last 5 Years
Santa Barbara County, California, has experienced fluctuations in property crime rates over the past five years. Burglary and larceny-theft, traditionally high, have seen notable decreases, especially in 2021. Particularly, burglary arrests dropped from 423 in 2018 to just 50 in 2021. Arson rates have shown an uptick, peaking at 41 incidents in 2022. Motor vehicle theft arrests increased from 125 in 2018 to 172 in 2022. Fraud remains relatively stable but saw a recent increase in 2022 with 108 incidents. The varying trends in these crimes provide crucial insights for potential investors, real estate agents, and those considering relocation or property construction in the area.
Demographics
Santa Barbara County's adult population is almost evenly split between males and females, with a slight tilt towards females. Educational attainment reveals a diverse range of levels, with a notable proportion holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The age distribution indicates a sizable younger demographic alongside a significant number of older adults, suggesting a balanced age spread. Racially, the county is predominantly White, but there is a considerable representation of other racial... Read more
Race Distribution in Santa Barbara County, California (2022)
Educational Attainment in Santa Barbara County, California (2022)
Age Distribution in Santa Barbara County, California
Citizen Population in Santa Barbara County, California (2022)
Political Trends & Data
Santa Barbara County, California, appears to have a strong Democratic inclination, with over 64% of the votes potentially going to the Democratic Party in the latest U.S. presidential election. The Republican Party, capturing around 32%, is notably less favored. Minor parties such as the Libertarian and Green parties collectively contributed only about 1% of the votes. This pattern aligns with broader trends across... Read more
Percentage of Votes in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election by Party
Santa Barbara County in California showed a notable leaning towards the Democratic Party, with potentially over 64% of the votes. The Republican Party, while still significant, garnered around 32%. Minor parties like the Libertarian and Green parties made up a very small portion, each receiving approximately 1% or less. The political landscape here seems to largely favor Democrats, in line with wider trends seen in many parts of California.
32.81% of voters voted for the Republican party in the 2020 Presidential Election
64.87% of voters voted for the Democrat party in the 2020 Presidential Election
1.21% of voters voted for the Livertarian party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.47% of voters voted for the Green party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.64% of voters voted for the Other party in the 2020 Presidential Election
School Data
Santa Barbara County, California has seen a notable decrease in student-to-teacher ratios over the last nine years, moving from about 22 students per teacher in 2015 to just over 19 in 2023. Despite still being above the national average of 14, this trend suggests potential enhancements in educational resources, making the area more appealing to families. This shift could influence property values, making it an intriguing detail for investors, real estate agents, appraisers, and insurance... Read more
Student-to-teacher ratio in Santa Barbara County, California over the last 9 years
Over the last nine years, Santa Barbara County, California has seen a steady decrease in the student-to-teacher ratio, moving from approximately 22 students per teacher in 2015 to just over 19 in 2023. Although this ratio remains above the current national average of 14 students per teacher, the declining trend could indicate improvements in educational resources and staffing. For investors and real estate agents, this is a key factor as lower student-to-teacher ratios can make the area more attractive to families, potentially boosting property values. Appraisers and insurance agents might find this trend relevant when evaluating property worth and associated risks, as good schooling often correlates with more stable, long-term communities. For current residents, the gradual improvement is likely seen as a positive development for their children's education.
