Goleta is a city located in southern Santa Barbara County, California. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 55,204.

Goleta was incorporated as a city in 2002 after several unsuccesful attempts.

The 2000 census figures reflect the census-designated place of Goleta, which was somewhat larger than the incorporated city. The city's population was estimated in 2002 at around 40,000.

Geography

Goleta is located at 34°26'26" North, 119°48'49" West (34.440493, -119.813608)1. Goleta is about 8 miles northwest of the city of Santa Barbara. Nearby is the Santa Barbara campus of the University of California and the student community of Isla Vista.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.3 km² (26.4 mi²). 68.0 km² (26.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.38% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 55,204 people, 19,954 households, and 13,468 families residing in the town. The population density is 811.7/km² (2,102.1/mi²). There are 20,442 housing units at an average density of 300.6/km² (778.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 78.61% White, 1.27% African American, 0.82% Native American, 6.43% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 9.23% from other races, and 3.53% from two or more races. 22.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 19,954 households out of which 30.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% are non-families. 22.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.18.

In the town the population is spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $60,314, and the median income for a family is $67,956. Males have a median income of $44,770 versus $32,127 for females. The per capita income for the town is $28,890. 6.7% of the population and 2.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.8% are under the age of 18 and 4.4% are 65 or older.