Population Forecast
5 year Forecast - 2.7%
The current population of the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo, CA Market is 727,453 as of the January 2026 PopStats estimate. PopStat’s Trend models indicate a 5 year population change of 2.7%, resulting in a Population of 747,036 by January 2031. This percentage change in Population ranks 79th across STI Markets. The Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo, CA Market currently ranks 122nd in overall population, and will rank 121st by January 2031.
High and Low Range - -1.2% to 5.6%
While the summation of mid range 5 year forecasts foresee a change in Population of 2.7% for Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo, CA Market. The forecast high ranges of these forecasts leaves open the possibility for a Population change as high as 5.6% at 768,465. Similarly a population change as low as -1.2% at 718,400 is not without possibility.
Figure 73: Population Trend and Forecast
10 year Projections - 5.6%
By January 2036 we project the Population of the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo, CA Market to be 768,109 resulting in a change of 5.6% compared to the current Population. This projected percentage change in Population ranks 82nd across STI Markets. The Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo, CA Market currently ranks 122nd in overall population, and will rank 122nd by January 2036.
