Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA local economy

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ranks in the 70th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum rising over the past 12 months.

New business applications or registrations was 4,011 in January 2025, up 1.7% from January 2024. Dwelling units authorized by permit was 222 in July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How does Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA rank among United States metros?

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ranks in the 70th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum rising over the past 12 months.

What is the new business applications or registrations in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

New business applications or registrations in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA was 4,011 in January 2025.

What is the dwelling units authorized by permit in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

Dwelling units authorized by permit in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA was 222 in July 2026.

What is the payrolled or covered employment in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

Payrolled or covered employment in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA was 211,778 in January 2026.

Nearby and related

• United States overview
• Bend, OR
• Bismarck, ND
• Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
• Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
• Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
• Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL
• Fort Wayne, IN
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
• Logan, UT-ID
• Oklahoma City, OK

Sources and methodology

• U.S. Census Bureau — Business Formation Statistics (BFS)
• U.S. Census Bureau — Building Permits Survey (BPS), CBSA monthly
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), national all-industry

Method: 2026.09. Updated 2026-09-10. Coverage: 100% of weighted components available.

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