Santa Barbara County, California

Santa Barbara County, California

Santa Barbara County, officially the County of Santa Barbara (Spanish: Condado de Santa Bárbara), is a county in Southern California. It is home to many people, according to the 2020 United States census. The main city is Santa Barbara, and the largest city is Santa Maria.

The county is part of the beautiful California Central Coast. It includes the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area is known for its vineyards, farms, and schools.

The economy of Santa Barbara County relies on several key industries. These include engineering, mining (especially for petroleum and diatomaceous earth), winemaking, farming, and education. In the southern part of the county, software development and tourism also provide many jobs.

History

The area of Santa Barbara County, including the Northern Channel Islands, has been home to Native Americans for thousands of years. The Chumash tribe lived along the coast and in valleys and left behind beautiful rock art in many places.

In 1542, Spanish explorers first met the Chumash. The Santa Barbara Channel was named in 1602 by another Spanish explorer, Sebastián Vizcaíno. Over time, Spanish missions and a military post were built in the area. Sadly, diseases brought by Europeans reduced the Chumash population, but many of their descendants still live in the region today.

Santa Barbara County became one of California's original counties when the state was formed in 1850. Later, part of its land became Ventura County in 1873.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Santa Barbara County covers 3,789 square miles (9,810 km²). Of this, 2,735 square miles (7,080 km²) is land and 1,054 square miles (2,730 km²) is water. Four of the Channel Islands – San Miguel Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island and Santa Barbara Island – are part of the county. They make up most of the Channel Islands National Park, which also includes Anacapa Island in Ventura County.

The county has mountains in the middle and flat areas along the coast. Most people live on the southern coast, which includes the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria. Other smaller towns and areas are spread throughout the county. The largest city is now Santa Maria.

Channel Islands

The four Channel Islands in Santa Barbara County are Santa Barbara Island, San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island, and Santa Cruz Island. These islands have special plants and animals that live only there.

Climate

Santa Barbara County has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Along the coast, it rarely gets very hot or very cold. But in the mountains and inland areas, it can get quite cold in winter and very hot in summer. Most of the rain falls in the winter, and summers are usually dry.

Air quality

The air in Santa Barbara County is usually cleaner than in other parts of southern California because of the ocean winds. The county meets most government standards for clean air.

Adjacent counties

• San Luis Obispo County (North).
• Kern County (Northeast).
• Ventura County (Southeast).

National protected areas

• Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve
• Channel Islands National Park (part)
• Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Los Padres National Forest (part)

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 census said Santa Barbara County had 448,229 people. The average age was 35.7 years. About 21.7% were younger than 18, and 16.7% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males.

The racial makeup was 50.1% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 2.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.9% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 22.2% from some other race, and 17.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people made up 47.0% of the population.

Most people, 94.4%, lived in urban areas. 5.6% lived in rural areas.

There were 148,353 households. 32.6% had children under 18. About 27.1% had a female householder without a spouse or partner. Around 24.0% were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.

There were 158,279 housing units. 6.3% were empty. Of the ones that were occupied, 52.4% were owned, and 47.6% were rented.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census said Santa Barbara County had 423,895 people. The racial makeup was 69.6% White, 2.0% African American, 1.3% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 17.4% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people made up 42.9% of the population.

2000 census

In 2000, the county had 399,347 people. The racial makeup was 72.7% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 15.2% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. About 34.2% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Some 9.1% were of German ancestry.

There were 136,622 households. 32.4% had children under 18. About 51.4% were married couples living together. Some 24.3% were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.

The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males.

The median income for a household was $46,677. About 8.5% of families and 14.3% of the population lived below the poverty line.

The area south of the Santa Ynez Mountain crest, known as "South County," had a population of 201,161 in the 2000 census. The population was almost evenly split between the north and south parts of the county.

Government

Santa Barbara County is a general law county in California. It is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors. The board has five members, each serving four-year terms. They represent different areas of the county. The board appoints a County Executive Officer to manage the county's work.

The county has many employees. They provide important services like health care and safety for its residents. Santa Barbara County is part of California's 24th congressional district, represented by Democrat Salud Carbajal. In the California State Senate, the county is in the 21st senatorial district, represented by Democrat Monique Limón. In the California State Assembly, it is part of the 37th Assembly district, represented by Democrat Gregg Hart.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff helps keep people safe. The Sheriff manages jails and provides protection for courts. Some cities, like Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara, have their own police departments. Others work with the Sheriff. The Probation Department supports people who are on probation. It has offices in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc.

Politics

Santa Barbara County used to support Republican candidates for many years. From 1920 to 1988, only two Democrats, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson, won the county. Today, Santa Barbara usually supports Democratic candidates in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Republican to win the county was George H. W. Bush in 1988. The northern part of the county, with its farms, oil fields, and military base Vandenberg Space Force Base, still leans Republican. The southern part, with its tourism, universities, and technology jobs, supports Democratic ideas more.

Santa Barbara County has had different political ideas in its northern and southern parts. In 2008, the county voted against a plan to change the rules about marriages, making it the only county in Southern California to do so.

Proposed county splits

In 1978, some people in the north tried to create a new county called "Los Padres County," but voters did not agree. In 2006, another idea for a new county called "Mission County" was suggested, but it was also voted down by most people.