Carpinteria Creek, 2024
Carpinteria’s story
126 years in pictures
Census counts: 2,864 in 1950, 13,264 in 2020. The archive holds 4 old photos and papers going back to 1920 and 6 maps from 1944 on.
- 1900Carpinteria is settled
Photo: Thomas Camargo · CC BY 3.0
Population
12,734
2025 Census estimate · −4% since 2020
Typical home
$1.53M
+8.3% in a year
Household income
$101K
median
Median age
44.8
years
Jobs based here
5,940
Balanced
TownGrade
C+
#246 of 841 in CA
What should you know before moving to Carpinteria?
Homes are expensive, about $1.5 million for a typical one and 15.6 times the Santa Maria metro’s $98K median household income. Overall it grades C+, 246th of 841 graded towns in California. Residents are healthier than 78% of U.S. towns on CDC estimates and the median household earns $101K. Its weakest subject is hazard risk: FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 98% of U.S. communities, with earthquakes at the top. Carpinteria’s typical home value is $1,531,000, where California’s towns sit at $709,000 and U.S. towns at $332,000. Carpinteria is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 93% of U.S. towns. The biggest park or preserve is Carpinteria State Beach, at 64 acres.
What makes Carpinteria stand out
Where Carpinteria beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
How Carpinteria grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Carpinteria is from typical.
Its grades run from A for walkability (better than 93% of comparable towns) to D− for cost of living (better than 1%), so the C+ overall blends very different results.
Cost of livingD−Open →Hazard riskearthquakes tops the listD−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 10.6 of 20; 2.1% of households have no carAOpen →HealthSanta Barbara Cottage Hospital 12.6 miles awayA−Open →Jobs & incomeA−Open →SchoolsB+Open →SafetyC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsAOpen →History3 notable people born hereDOpen →Civic life6.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 74° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market36 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 44.8–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 41 attractions →Channel Islands National Park and 22 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Carpinteria. Close and well known come first.
17 mi National ParkChannel Islands National Park227K visitors a year
24 mi National forestLos Padres National Forest
9 mi GardenLotusland
11 mi LandmarkPresidio of Santa Barbara
9 mi Zoo & aquariumSanta Barbara Zoo
12 mi MuseumSanta Barbara Museum of Natural HistorySources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Channel Islands National Park: Copernicus Sentinel-2, ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo · Los Padres National Forest: Taken by Antandrus, Public domain · Lotusland: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Presidio of Santa Barbara: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Santa Barbara Zoo: Dakart at en.wikipedia, Public domain · Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History: Jllm06, CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Carpinteria: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Carpinteria, and how to reach them.
PowerSouthern California Edison31.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCarpinteria Valley Water DistrictNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers96% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpTown’s haulerE.J. Harrison & Sons, Inc. picks up at the curb for every homeTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereSanta Barbara County Clerk-ElectionsSanta Barbara County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP code9301393013 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Carpinteria.
Carpinteria has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns and trades workers with Santa Barbara and other neighbors, but it has homes that cost more against local pay than most of California.
HousingCost of living grade D−
For cost of living, Carpinteria earns a D−
At 15.6 years of the Santa Maria metro’s $98K median household income, the typical home (about $1.53M) costs more against local pay than in 93% of California towns; that ratio is one input to its D− for cost of living. Home values rose 43% in five years, to about $1.53M, against 13% across California.
Carpinteria’s median rent is $2,377 a month. Typical home values rose 8.3% in the year to September 2026. The typical Carpinteria home is worth about $1,531,000, up 8.3% in a year, about twice the California typical home.
$1.53MZillow home value
| Carpinteria | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,377 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 62% | 64% | 73% |
Typical home value
Carpinteria$1.53M
California$762K
Market temperature
36
days on market
101.3%
sale-to-list price
+8.3%
value change, 1 year
16
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
SchoolsB+
Public schools in Carpinteria beat 65% of California districts
Its public schools are run by the Carpinteria Unified school district. Two of its 6 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Carpinteria Senior High, with 593 students.
65%of CA districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canalino ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–5 | Grades K–5 | 471 | B− |
| Carpinteria Senior HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 593 | B− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D−
Earthquakes leads a very high hazard risk in Carpinteria
Since 1978, 30 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Carpinteria.
98risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland floodingWildfire
30
paid flood claims since 1978
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HealthA−
For health, Carpinteria earns an A−
31% of Carpinteria adults sleep under 7 hours. Carpinteria beats the California average on 9 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 2. 26% of Carpinteria adults have obesity.
78%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Carpinteria | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 35% | 36% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 26% | 29% | 35% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 17% | 17% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 9.3% | 11% | 14% |
32 measures vs. California
9 better21 too close to call2 worse
| What stands out | Carpinteria | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 13.5% | 17.9% |
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 8.3% | 10.6% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 8.4% | 6.4% |
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
12.6 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
67th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
#406for trails in CA
| Carpinteria | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.9 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 3% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
3%
conserved · 175 of 5,908 acres
8.5 mi
of trails · 0.9 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve | 2.7 mi | 46 |
| 2. Carpinteria Bluffs III | 1.4 mi | 22 |
| 3. Carpinteria State Beach | 0.8 mi | 64 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Who lives here
Older than California overall
People 65 and older are 24% of residents (16% statewide); adults 18 to 34 are 17% of residents (24% statewide). 44% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Carpinteria. Carpinteria has lost 4% of its people since 2020, down to 12,734 in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate.
44.8median age · CA 37.9
| Carpinteria | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 24% | 16% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 44% | 29% | 29% |
| Median age | 44.8 years | 39 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 20% | 22% | 22% |
CarpinteriaCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma14%
High school13%
Some college22%
Associate’s6%
Bachelor’s27%
Graduate17%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.7 points. Across California, 50.1% of residents are women.
| Carpinteria | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 10.7% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.4% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.3% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 11% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.8% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.5% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 15.7% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 8.6% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 14.2% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 13.4% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 22.1% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 6.2% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 26.6% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 17.4% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Climate
Mild winters and pleasant summers in Carpinteria
January nights average 47.2°, milder than in 98% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 72.7°.
Carpinteria has warm winters and cool summers, with very little rain. The July high in Carpinteria is 73°F. Snow is almost unheard of.
74°summer high
| Carpinteria | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 73°F | 89°F | 85°F |
| January low | 47°F | 40°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter48–63°
Spring52–67°
Summer60–72°
Fall56–71°
+2.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
74°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
About one in six working residents works right in Carpinteria
Carpinteria has about as many jobs (5,940) as working residents, but only 935 people both live and work here.
Most working residents leave Carpinteria for work: only 18% work in town. Since 2013, Carpinteria has added 747 jobs, to 5,940 in 2023. The top destinations are Santa Barbara (25%), Goleta (6%) and San Buenaventura (Ventura) (4%).
18%work in town
| Carpinteria | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 18% | 6.6% | 8% |
| Work from home | 16% | 14% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 7% | 10% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $101,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Carpinteria18%
Santa Barbara25%
Goleta6%
San Buenaventura (Ventura)4%
Los Angeles4%
12 mi
median commute distance
5,940
jobs based in Carpinteria
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 93% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SafetyC+
Carpinteria sees more crime per resident than 60% of U.S. towns
Within California, it does better than 69% of towns.
40%of U.S. towns report more crimeC+Safety Grade
| Carpinteria | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 3.2 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 12.4 per 1,000 residents | 13.4 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Carpinteria3.2
California4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Carpinteria12.4
California18.2
U.S.15.5
40th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
69th
percentile among CA towns
41
violent crimes reported in 2025
158
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Carpinteria
20pages on Carpinteria
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 65% of CA districts · 6 schoolsSafetyC+3.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than CA on 9 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD−$1.53M typical home · up 8.3% in a yearWork & commuteA−$101K median household income · 5,940 jobs hereNatural hazardsD−FEMA risk higher than 98% of U.S. communities · earthquakes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
6 within 15 miles of the center of Carpinteria
Pacifica Graduate InstituteUniversity or college · Private for-profit · Carpinteria4.8 miWestmont CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Santa Barbara9.8 mi$53,584 tuitionSanta Barbara City CollegeCommunity college · Public · Santa Barbara10.9 mi$1,240 in-state tuition
About 7 of every 100 Carpinteria residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California.
Famous people from Carpinteria
3 notable people were born in Carpinteria.
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About Carpinteria
City in California, United States
Carpinteria (; Spanish: Carpintería, meaning "Carpentry") is a small seaside city in southeastern Santa Barbara County, California. Located on the Central Coast of California, it had a population of 13,264 at the 2020 census. Carpinteria is a popular surf destination; the city embraced the slogan "World's Safest Beach" in 1912, which it still uses today.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 9.3 sq mi
- Elevation
- 33 ft
- ZIP code
- 93013–93014, 93013, 93014
- Area code
- 805
Carpinteria’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Carpinteria.
Toro CanyonCarpinteria
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpinteria | #246 | C+ | D− | C+ | B+ | A− |
| Toro Canyon | — | — | D− | — | B+ | A |
Toro Canyon has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Toro Canyon reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Carpinteria with a neighbor →
Questions about Carpinteria
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Carpinteria, CA a good place to live?
Carpinteria grades C+ overall, better than 44% of U.S. towns and #246 of 841 in California. It grades A− for health, C+ for safety and B+ for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Carpinteria, CA safe?
Within California, it does better than 69% of towns.
Is Carpinteria, CA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.
What is Carpinteria, CA known for?
3 notable people were born here, including Adele Gerard Lewis Grant and Dawn Cerny.