View source for Montecito, California

{{short description |Town in California}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See the table at Template:Infobox settlement for all fields and descriptions of their usage. -->
|name                     = Montecito, California
|settlement_type          = [[Unincorporated area]]<br/>[[Census designated place]]
|other_name               = 
<!-- Images and maps ------>
| image_skyline                   = {{Photomontage
| photo1a                 = SantaBarbara-Montecito (cropped2).jpg
| photo2a                 = Casa del Herrero (Montecito, CA).jpg
| photo2b                 = Our_Lady_of_Mount_Carmel_Church,_Montecito,_California.jpg
| photo3a                 = SantaBarbaraCA ButterflyBeach 20170911 1 (cropped).jpg
| photo3b                 = Pavillion, Lotusland (244796015) (cropped).jpg
| spacing                 = 2
| position                = center
| color_border            = white
| color                   = white
| size                    = 260
| foot_montage            = Clockwise: view of Montecito and the [[Pacific Ocean]] from the [[Santa Ynez Mountains]]; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church; [[Lotusland]]; Butterfly Beach; [[Casa del Herrero]]
}}
|nickname                 = 
|image_map                = Santa Barbara County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Montecito Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location in [[Santa Barbara County, California|Santa Barbara County]] and the state of [[California]]
| pushpin_map = USA California Southern#USA California#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
<!-- Location ------------->
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|26|N|119|38|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[California]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Santa Barbara County, California|Santa Barbara]]
<!-- History -------------->
|established_title        = <!-- Founded -->
|established_date         = 
<!-- Government ----------->
|leader_title1            = [[California's 21st State Senate district|State senator]]
|leader_name1             = {{Representative|casd|21|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=ccrc>{{Cite web |title=Final Maps {{!}} California Citizens Redistricting Commission |url=https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/final-maps/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
|leader_title2            = [[California's 37th State Assembly district|Assembly Member]]
|leader_name2             = {{Representative|caad|37|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=ccrc/>
|leader_title3            = [[California's 24th congressional district|U. S. rep.]]
|leader_name3             = {{Representative|cacd|24|fmt=usleader}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|24|access-date=October 10, 2025}}</ref>
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = US
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 27, 2025}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 17.16
|area_total_km2           = 44.44
|area_land_sq_mi          = 9.18
|area_land_km2            = 23.77
|area_water_sq_mi         = 7.98
|area_water_km2           = 20.68
|area_water_percent       = 46.52
|area_metro_sq_mi         = 
<!-- Elevation ------------>
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1661052|Montecito|access-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref>
|elevation_ft             = 180
|elevation_m              = 55
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|April 1, 2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="quif">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montecitocdpcalifornia |title=Montecito CDP, California Quickfacts |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
|population_total         = 8638
|population_density_sq_mi = 941.3
|population_density_km2   = 363.4
|population_metro         =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
<!-- Time zones ----------->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;8
|timezone_DST             = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;7
<!-- Codes ---------------->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 93108, 93150
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 805|805 and 820]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|48844}}
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
|blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1661052}}, {{GNIS 4|2408861}}
}}

'''Montecito''' (archaic use of [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for woodland or countryside){{r|MJ 2021-08-12}} is an [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] town in [[Santa Barbara County, California]], United States.<ref name="LAT 20171212">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-montecito-flammable-privacy-trees-20171212-story.html|title=Ornamental landscaping in celebrity-studded Montecito adds to fire danger|first=Javier |last=Panzar |date= December 12, 2017|access-date= December 13, 2017|newspaper=[[LA Times]]}}</ref><ref name="auto">McCormack, Don (1999). ''McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000''. Mccormacks Guides. p. 58. {{ISBN|9781929365098}}.</ref><ref name=2022Estimate>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montecitocdpcalifornia QuickFacts Montecito CDP, California] Montecito CDP, California Population Estimates, July 1, 2022, (V2022)], U.S. Bureau of the Census.</ref> Located on the [[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]] of [[California]], Montecito sits between the [[Santa Ynez Mountains]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Montecito is best known as a [[celebrity]] enclave, owing to its concentration of prominent residents.<ref name="NYT2023Profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/style/montecito-california.html|author=Amy Larocca|newspaper=New York Times|title=What Is It About Montecito?|date=July 30, 2023}}</ref> An affluent town, the median home price was $7.5 million in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mauhay-Moore |first=Sam |date=2024 |title=Homeowners in wealthy Calif. town try to block public trail |url=https://www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/calif-homeowners-face-fines-blocking-trail-access-19383874.php?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2DgfgD4in6PYD2QoIcFUYjVqSTuruEnc1kqL9jkc8FKu2-d62MMU0LxQE_aem_Ad9SnATmj7A8iBH5Z_-pFFU9WjJHqeevpycts3MSJoxk9LG05RczQXzOwdGZtSFJ5HAlasKpZ1hMy6fWCN3aN1Iy |work=SFGATE |language=en}}</ref> For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Montecito as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). The population as of 2022 is approximately 8,638 residents.

==History==
[[File:Arcady (slide) (3953273520).jpg|thumb|left|The gardens at Arcady, a [[Mission Revival architecture|Mission Revival]] estate built in 1905 for industrialist [[George Owen Knapp]]]]
[[File:"Las Tejas," Oakleigh Thorne house, 170 Picacho Road, Montecito, California. LOC 6950361704 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Las Tejas, a [[Spanish Colonial Revival architecture|Spanish Revival]] estate built in 1917 by architect [[Francis W. Wilson]] for banker [[Oakleigh Thorne]]]]
The site of present-day Montecito, along with the entire south coast of Santa Barbara County, was inhabited for over 10,000 years by the [[Chumash people|Chumash]] Indians. The Spanish arrived in the 18th century but left the region largely unsettled while they built the [[Santa Barbara Presidio|Presidio]] and [[Mission Santa Barbara]] farther west.<ref name="MJ 2021-08-12">{{Cite magazine |last=Beresford |first=Hattie |date=2021-08-12 |title=A Brief History of the Development of Montecito |url=https://www.montecitojournal.net/2021/08/12/a-brief-history-of-the-development-of-montecito/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |magazine=Montecito Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the middle of the 19th century, the area was known as a haven for bandits and highway robbers, who hid in the oak groves and canyons, preying on traffic on the coastal route between the towns that developed around the missions. By the end of the 1860s, the bandit gangs were gone, and Italian settlers arrived. Finding an area reminiscent of Italy, they built farms and gardens similar to those they had left behind.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Around the end of the 19th century, wealthy tourists from the eastern and midwestern United States began to buy land in the area.<ref>Covarrubias, Amanda (January 19, 2015) [https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-miramar-20150120-story.html "Montecito poised to decide on a modern version of Miramar Hotel"] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''</ref> It was near enough to [[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]] for essential services while still being secluded. Desirable weather and several nearby [[hot spring]]s offered the promise of comfortable, healthy living, in addition to the availability of affordable land.<ref>Baker, p. 61-62</ref>

The [[Montecito Hot Springs]] Hotel was built near the largest of the springs, in a canyon north of the town center and directly south of Montecito Peak, in Hot Springs Canyon. The hotel burned down in 1920; it was replaced a few years later by the smaller Hot Springs Club.<ref>Baker, p. 62</ref>

The architect [[George Washington Smith (architect)|George Washington Smith]] is noted particularly for his residences around Montecito, and for popularizing the Spanish Colonial Revival style in early 20th century America, as is [[Lutah Maria Riggs]], who started as a draftsman in Smith's firm, rose to partner, and later started her own firm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pridgen |first=Andrew |date=2022-05-20 |title=One of the wealthiest enclaves in California is uninsurable against wildfires |url=https://www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/Montecito-homes-uninsurable-against-fire-17184446.php |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US}}</ref>

Montecito was evacuated five times in four months between December 2017 and March 2018 because of weather-related events, which included the [[Thomas Fire]], the [[2018 Southern California mudflows]], and flooding related to the [[Pineapple Express]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/montecito-is-everything-bad-about-climate-change-in-a-single-california-town/ |title=See Everything Bad About Climate Change in a Single California Town |last=Molteni |first=Megan |date=March 23, 2018 |magazine=WIRED |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref>  The mudflows resulted in 20 reported deaths; 28 others were injured, and at least four people<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/13/all-people-who-died-california-mudslides/1031202001 |title=Here are all the people who died in the California mudslide |work=[[USA Today]] |date=January 14, 2018}}{{dead link|date=February 2025}}</ref> were reported missing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ksby.com/story/37252693/five-people-now-missing-17-killed-in-montecito-mudslides |title=Five people now missing, 17 killed in Montecito mudslides |work= KSBY |access-date=25 January 2022 |first1=Charlie|date=12 January 2018|last1=Guese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112184007/http://www.ksby.com/story/37252693/five-people-now-missing-17-killed-in-montecito-mudslides |archive-date=12 January 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-mudslide-officials-scramble-clear-debris-another-storm-hits-n837591|title=California scrambles to clear mudslide debris before new storm hits|work=NBC News|date=January 15, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="SFGate1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/California-storm-follows-fires-bringing-new-12483375.php|title=13 dead in Southern California as rain triggers mudslides|date=January 9, 2018|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=January 10, 2018|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110044507/http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/California-storm-follows-fires-bringing-new-12483375.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LATimes-Jan11">{{cite news |last1=Mejia |first1=Brittny |last2=Hamilton |first2=Matt |last3=Etehad |first3=Melissa |last4=Tchekmedyian |first4=Alene |date=January 11, 2018 |title=Up to 43 people still missing in Montecito; dead include four children |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-mudslide-recovery-mainbar-20180111-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=January 11, 2018}}</ref> [[FEMA]] gave the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District $13.5 million in 2020. The funds will be used to buy land in Montecito&nbsp;to construct an $18 million project that will help control debris flows from San Ysidro Creek with a larger [[debris basin]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Orozco|first=Lance|date=October 28, 2020|title=Federal Grant Sets Stage For Project To Try To Prevent More Dangerous Debris Flows In Montecito|url=https://www.kclu.org/post/federal-grant-sets-stage-project-try-prevent-more-dangerous-debris-flows-montecito|access-date=2020-10-29|work=KCLU News|language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Beach Casualty (5048618830).jpg|thumb|left|Sunset at Butterfly Beach]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP (census-designated place) has a land area of {{convert|9.2|sqmi|km2}}.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020"/>

===Climate===
Montecito experiences a warm [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Csb'') characteristic of coastal Southern California. Because of Montecito's proximity to the ocean, onshore breezes significantly moderate temperatures, resulting in warmer winters and cooler summers compared with places further inland. With its gentle Mediterranean climate, Montecito has long been a desirable location for horticulturists.

{{Weather box
| location                = Montecito, California
| width                   = 90%
| single line             = Y 
| Jan high F              = 64
| Feb high F              = 65
| Mar high F              = 66
| Apr high F              = 70
| May high F              = 70
| Jun high F              = 74
| Jul high F              = 77
| Aug high F              = 78
| Sep high F              = 77
| Oct high F              = 75
| Nov high F              = 70
| Dec high F              = 65
| Jan record high F       = 88
| Feb record high F       = 88
| Mar record high F       = 92
| Apr record high F       = 100
| May record high F       = 101
| Jun record high F       = 109
| Jul record high F       = 109
| Aug record high F       = 102
| Sep record high F       = 107
| Oct record high F       = 103
| Nov record high F       = 97
| Dec record high F       = 83
| year record high F      = 109
| year high F             = 71
| Jan low F               = 43
| Feb low F               = 45
| Mar low F               = 47
| Apr low F               = 49
| May low F               = 52
| Jun low F               = 55
| Jul low F               = 58
| Aug low F               = 59
| Sep low F               = 57
| Oct low F               = 53
| Nov low F               = 47
| Dec low F               = 43
| Jan record low F        = 24
| Feb record low F        = 25
| Mar record low F        = 32
| Apr record low F        = 36
| May record low F        = 38
| Jun record low F        = 42
| Jul record low F        = 48
| Aug record low F        = 47
| Sep record low F        = 43
| Oct record low F        = 36
| Nov record low F        = 30
| Dec record low F        = 20
| year record low F       = 20
| year low F              = 51
| Jan precipitation inch  = 3.80
| Feb precipitation inch  = 4.34
| Mar precipitation inch  = 3.34
| Apr precipitation inch  = 0.72
| May precipitation inch  = 0.30
| Jun precipitation inch  = 0.08
| Jul precipitation inch  = 0.02
| Aug precipitation inch  = 0.04
| Sep precipitation inch  = 0.29
| Oct precipitation inch  = 0.53
| Nov precipitation inch  = 1.37
| Dec precipitation inch  = 2.36
| year precipitation inch = 17.19
| source 1                = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.plantmaps.com/93108|title=Zipcode 93108|website=www.plantmaps.com|access-date=April 18, 2021}}</ref>
| date                    = April 2021
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|2000= 10000
|2010= 8965
|2020= 8638
|estyear=
|estimate= 
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County  |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 
}}

Montecito first appeared as a [[census designated place]] in the [[2000 U.S. census]].<ref name=2000CensusCA/>

As of July 2022, the [[U.S. Census Bureau]] estimated a population of 8,638.<ref name=2022Estimate/>

===2020===
[[File:El_Fureidis.jpg|thumb|right|[[El Fureidis]], designed in 1906 by architect [[Bertram Goodhue]]]]
[[File:The Santa Barbara Biltmore is a luxury hotel located in Montecito, California LCCN2013632522.tif|thumb|right|The [[Santa Barbara Biltmore]] is located in Montecito.]]
The [[2020 United States census]] reported that Montecito had a population of 8,638. The population density was {{convert|941.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Montecito was 85.4% [[White Americans|White]], 0.6% [[African Americans|African American]], 0.4% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 2.5% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.2% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 2.4% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 8.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 8.2% of the population.<ref name=DP1>{{cite web |title=Montecito CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0648844 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref>

The census reported that 86.7% of the population lived in households, 12.8% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.5% were institutionalized.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 3,157 households, out of which 22.0% included children under the age of 18, 55.1% were married-couple households, 4.0% were [[cohabitation|cohabiting]] couple households, 27.4% had a female householder with no partner present, and 13.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 28.2% of households were one person, and 20.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37.<ref name=DP1/> There were 2,070 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (65.6% of all households).<ref>{{cite web |title=Montecito CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0648844 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref>

The age distribution was 14.9% under the age of 18, 17.8% aged 18 to 24, 11.9% aged 25 to 44, 22.4% aged 45 to 64, and 32.9% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 50.7{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 4,162 housing units at an average density of {{convert|453.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 3,157 (75.9%) were occupied. Of these, 73.0% were owner-occupied, and 27.0% were occupied by renters.<ref name=DP1/>

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 10.5% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 87.0% spoke only English at home, 4.9% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]], 5.5% spoke other [[Indo-European languages]], 2.2% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.4% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 98.3% were high school graduates and 74.9% had a bachelor's degree.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montecito CDP, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSCP5Y2023.CP02?g=1600000US0648844 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref>

The median household income in 2023 was $222,966, and the [[per capita income]] was $132,404. About 7.5% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montecito CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0648844 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref>

===2010===
[[File:Santa Barbara 007 (8413450566) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Casa del Herrero]], designed by architect [[George Washington Smith (architect)|George Washington Smith]] in 1925, is considered to be one of the finest examples of [[Spanish Colonial Revival architecture]] in California.<ref name=NRHP>{{cite web|url={{NHLS url|87000002}}|title=NHL nomination for Steedman Estate|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2018-02-11}}</ref>]]
The [[2010 United States census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648844|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715031746/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648844|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Montecito CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Montecito had a population of 8,965. The population density was {{convert|967.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Montecito was 8,267 (92.2%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 218 (2.4%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 55 (0.6%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 38 (0.4%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 6 (0.1%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 156 (1.7%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 225 (2.5%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 605 persons (6.7%).

The Census reported that 8,033 people (89.6% of the population) lived in households, 932 (10.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and none were institutionalized.

Of the 3,432 households, 831 (24.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them; 1,936 (56.4%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 234 (6.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 93 (2.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 110 (3.2%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 36 (1.0%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 941 households (27.4%) were made up of individuals, and 527 (15.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34. There were 2,263 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (65.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.79.

The age spread of the population accounts 1,515 people (16.9%) under the age of 18, 1,234 people (13.8%) aged 18 to 24, 1,169 people (13.0%) aged 25 to 44, 2,716 people (30.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,331 people (26.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

4,238 housing units represented an average density of {{convert|457.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 2,522 (73.5%) were owner-occupied, and 910 (26.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%. 6,081 people (67.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,952 people (21.8%) lived in rental housing units.

==Government==
[[File:Flickr - brewbooks - Cacti and euphorbia garden, Lotusland (5).jpg|thumb|right|[[Lotusland]] is a [[botanical garden]] and historic estate open to the public.]]
As an unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County, Montecito has no city council or municipal government.<ref name="Meagher">{{cite news |last1=Meagher |first1=Chris |title=Montecity? The Pros and Cons of Incorporation |url=https://www.independent.com/2008/07/03/montecity/ |access-date=14 August 2020 |work=Santa Barbara Independent |date=3 July 2008}}</ref> Municipal services are provided by Santa Barbara County;<ref name="Meagher" /> as with the county's other unincorporated areas, Montecito's [[law enforcement agency]] is the [[Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office]].<ref>McCormack, Don (1999). ''McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000''. Mccormacks Guides. p. 59. {{ISBN|9781929365098}}.</ref>

Montecito is part of the Santa Barbara County Supervisor District 1,<ref name=NYT2023Profile/> which elects one supervisor to the five-member Board of Supervisors.<ref name="Meagher" /> Unlike other unincorporated areas in the county, Montecito has two government agencies which together act as its planning commission: the Montecito Board of Architectural Review and the Montecito Planning Commission.<ref name="Meagher" />  Proposals to incorporate as a municipality have been a perennially recurring feature of local politics, but has never come to fruition.<ref name="Meagher" />

Important commercial areas such as Coast Village Road are within the city of Santa Barbara.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Jeff |date=2022-08-21 |title=It’s Time for Montecito’s Coast Village Road Parklets to Go |url=https://www.noozhawk.com/jeff_harding_time_for_montecito_coast_village_road_parklets_to_go_20220821/ |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=Noozhawk |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Access to backcountry hiking trails is obtained through the community.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Molina |first=Joshua |date=April 23, 2022 |title=Montecito Homeowners Take Legal Action Against County Over Parking for Hot Springs Trail |url=https://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_barbara_county_battles_montecito_homeowners_hot_springs_trail_parking |access-date=2022-04-24 |work=Noozhawk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pridgen |first=Andrew |date=October 7, 2025 |title=New parking crackdown as hikers flock to trailhead in ultra-wealthy Calif. area |url=https://www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/montecito-trail-restrictions-21087514.php |work=SFGATE}}</ref>

March and April are the months to watch gray whales migrate north from Mexico through the [[Santa Barbara Channel]].<ref>Robert Reinhold (March 17, 1991), [https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/17/travel/what-s-doing-in-santa-barbara.html What's Doing In: Santa Barbara] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>

== Arts and culture ==
The [[Music Academy of the West]] is a summer classical music training program and festival with local performances [[Lotusland]] is a  {{convert|37|acre|ha|adj=on}} estate and [[botanic gardens]] built by Polish opera singer [[Ganna Walska]] and managed as a [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]].<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[El Fureidis]] – private residence designed by [[Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue]]
* [[Casa del Herrero]] – Spanish Colonial revival home and gardens – designed by George Washington Smith
* [[Santa Barbara Biltmore]]: Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club – designed by [[Gardner Dailey]]; 
* [[Montecito Inn]], a small hotel built by [[Charlie Chaplin]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple]] – designed by [[Lutah Maria Riggs]]
* Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/item/2013632527/  Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Montecito, California], photograph (2012) by [[Carol M. Highsmith]], [[Library of Congress]]</ref>
* [[George Washington Smith (architect)|George Washington Smith]] home and studio
* Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel and [[Caruso's]] restaurant<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>

==Education==
[[File:Home designed by George Washington Smith in the Spanish Colonial style. Montecito, California LCCN2013634662.tif|thumb|right|Historic [[Monterey Colonial architecture|Monterey Revival]] estate designed by [[George Washington Smith (architect)|G.W. Smith]]]]
Children in Montecito are enrolled at Montecito Union Elementary School and Cold Spring Elementary School.<ref name="auto"/> Both of these K–6 schools are operated by school districts which only run one school.

Students in grades 7-12 are served by the [[Santa Barbara Unified School District]] and attend [[Santa Barbara Junior High School]], followed by [[Santa Barbara High School]].

The private four-year [[Westmont College]] is located in the hills above Montecito.

==Transportation==

Notable roads spanning Montecito include East Valley Road, Mountain Drive, and Sycamore Canyon Road, all of which form part of [[California State Route 192|State Route 192]]. In addition, the [[U.S. Route 101 in California|U.S. Route 101]] freeway runs along the south end of town, connecting it with other cities in Santa Barbara County and the rest of [[Southern California]].

The nearest train station with [[Amtrak]] service is [[Santa Barbara station|Santa Barbara (SBA)]].

== Notable people ==
Notable current and former residents include: 
<!--DO NOT ADD ANY ENTRIES WITHOUT A RELIABLE SOURCE--> 
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Troy Aikman]]<ref name="Arnold">{{Cite news |last=Arnold, Gail; Welsh, Nick |date=March 27, 2019 |title=Montecito's Villas at Olive Mill Project Opens|work=[[Santa Barbara Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.com/2019/03/27/montecitos-villas-olive-mill-project-opens/ |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Amanda Chantal Bacon]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[William Baldwin]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamm |first=Keith |date=July 19, 2017 |title=Billy Baldwin Announces 'Backdraft' Sequel |work=Montecito Journal |url=https://www.independent.com/2017/07/19/billy-baldwin-announces-backdraft-sequel/ |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Drew Barrymore]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Beale|first1=Lauren|title=Actress Drew Barrymore sells Montecito estate for $6.35 million|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-20131117-story.html|access-date=July 16, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 17, 2013|url-status=live|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507095431/https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-20131117-story.html|archive-date=7 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[Orlando Bloom]]<ref name="Eberstein"/><ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[T. Coraghessan Boyle|T. C. Boyle]]<ref name="Gumbel"/>
* [[Jeff Bridges]]<ref name="Valeris"/><ref name ="Flemming"/>
* [[John Cleese]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leitereg |first=Neal J. |date=February 18, 2016 |title=One-time Montecito home of 'Monty Python's' John Cleese for sale for $8.25 million  |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-john-cleese-house-20160218-story.html |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Robert M. Colleary]] (1929–2012)<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99788367/obituary-of-robert-m-colleary/ "Robert M. Colleary, 82"], ''The Montclair Times'', February 23, 2012. Accessed April 15, 2022. "He went on to become executive producer of ''Benson'' and 'It's A Living,'' retiring to Montecito in 1989."</ref>
* [[Jimmy Connors]]<ref name="BT"/>
* [[Larry David]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Rachel |title=Larry David Buys $5.7 Million French Normandy-Style Cottage in Montecito |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/larry-david-buys-normandy-style-cottage-montecito |website=Architectural Digest|date=February 24, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/larry-david-buys-traditional-style-montecito-home|title=Larry David Buys Traditional-Style Montecito Home for $7.6 Million|author-first1=Katie|author-last1=Schultz|date=September 30, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Ellen DeGeneres]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/><ref name="BT">{{Cite news |date=December 11, 2017 |title=Celebrities flee seaside enclave amid threat from California wildfires |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/celebrities-flee-seaside-enclave-amid-threat-from-california-wildfires-36396445.html |access-date= March 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Clark Gable]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[Greta Garbo]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[Tipper Gore]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-hotprop-gore-20100428-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author-first1=Lauren|author-last1=Beale|date=April 28, 2010|title=Al Gore, Tipper Gore snap up Montecito-area villa}}</ref>
* [[Sue Grafton]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flemming |first=Jack |date=November 4, 2019 |title=Author Sue Grafton's Montecito compound for sale at $7 million  |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2019-11-04/author-sue-grafton-montecito-compound-for-sale |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Ariana Grande]]<ref name="Gumbel"/>
* [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex]] and [[Meghan, Duchess of Sussex]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/><ref name="Gumbel">{{Cite news |last=Gumbel |first=Andrew |date= August 16, 2020 |title=Montecito: the super-wealthy enclave Harry and Meghan now call home |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/14/prince-harry-meghan-montecito-california-duke-duchess-sussex |access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Davies">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=15 December 2020 |title=Harry and Meghan sign multi-year podcast deal with Spotify |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/15/harry-and-meghan-sign-multi-year-podcast-deal-with-spotify |access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[Burl Ives]]<ref name="Beale">{{Cite news |last=Beale |first=Lauren |date=July 10, 2014 |title=Onetime home of singer Burl Ives is for sale in Montecito  |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-throwback-thursday-20140710-story.html |access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Adam Levine]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[Christopher Lloyd]]<ref name=LATimes_Montecito>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-hotprop-christopher-lloyd-20120323-story.html |title=Actor Christopher Lloyd lists Montecito home at $6.45 million |first=Lauren |last=Beale |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=March 23, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224211410/http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-hotprop-christopher-lloyd-20120323-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Stars>{{cite news|title=Stars' Homes Destroyed & Threatened By Montecito Fire|work=[[Access Hollywood]] | date= November 14, 2008 |url=https://www.accessonline.com/articles/stars-homes-destroyed-threatened-by-montecito-fire-66244| access-date= February 28, 2020 | archive-date= August 14, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100814052213/http://www.accesshollywood.com/stars-homes-destroyed-and-threatened-by-montecito-fire_article_12191 | url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Rob Lowe]]<ref name="BT"/><ref name="Eberstein">{{Cite news |last=Eberstein |first=Amanda |date=9 December 2020 |title=Celebrities Aren't the Only Buyers After Montecito Real Estate  |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/celebrities-arent-the-only-buyers-after-montecito-real-estate-11607551226 |access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Steve Martin]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=David |first=Mark |date=February 5, 2015 |title=Steve Martin Lists Bunker-Like Montecito Modern  |url=https://variety.com/2015/dirt/real-estalker/steve-martin-lists-bunker-like-montecito-modern-1201424860/ |access-date=March 9, 2021 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
* [[Jack Mitchell (banker)|Jack Mitchell]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Mitchell, John Joseph, 1945- |url=https://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6wf6b6g |website=SNAC |access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>
* [[Brad Paisley]]<ref>{{cite news | author-first1=Michelle |author-last1=Drown | title=Brad Paisley's Montecito Mission | url=https://www.independent.com/news/2018/may/10/brad-paisleys-montecito-mission/| work=The Santa Barbara Independent| date=May 10, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Jack Palance]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jack Palance |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/jack-palance-obituary?pid=178149301 |access-date=March 9, 2021 |website=legacy.com| date=March 22, 2016 }}</ref>
*[[Gwyneth Paltrow]]<ref name="Gumbel"/>
* [[Suzy Parker]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=McLellan |first=Dennis |date=May 6, 2003 |title=Suzy Parker, 69; Was a Supermodel Before Term Was Coined ... |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-06-me-parker6-story.html |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Katy Perry]]<ref name="Eberstein"/>
* [[Priscilla Presley]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Priscilla puts home in Montecito on market|work=Ventura County Star|date=May 29, 1990|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/934242227/ A-2]}}</ref>
* [[Ivan Reitman]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reitman Was Righteous|work=Montecito Journal|access-date = 9 March 2021 |url=https://www.montecitojournal.net/2022/02/22/reitman-was-righteous/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515154045/https://www.montecitojournal.net/2022/02/22/reitman-was-righteous/|archive-date=15 May 2025|author-last1=Firestein|author-first1=Les|date=22 February 2022}}</ref>
* [[Zoe Saldana]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=McClain |first=James |date=2023-12-27 |title=Zoe Saldana Drops $17 Million on a Grand Old Montecito Estate |url=https://robbreport.com/shelter/celebrity-homes/zoe-saldana-house-montecito-1235457701/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |work=Robb Report |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Ty Warner]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[Ganna Walska]] (who built [[Lotusland]])<ref name=NYT2023Profile/>
* [[Owen Wilson]]<ref name="David">{{Cite magazine |last=David |first=Mark |date=June 20, 2014 |title=Owen Wilson Adds to Ample Property Portfolio  |url=https://robbreport.com/shelter/celebrity-homes/ |magazine=Variety (magazine) |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Oprah Winfrey]]<ref name=NYT2023Profile/><ref name="Gumbel"/><ref name="Valeris">{{Cite magazine |last=Valeris |first=Monique |date=November 19, 2019 |title=Oprah Purchased Jeff Bridges's Montecito Estate for $6.85 Million |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/real-estate/g29845308/oprah-buys-jeff-bridges-montecito-estate/ |magazine=Town & Country (magazine) |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref><ref name ="Flemming">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2019-11-13/oprah-buys-jeff-bridges-montecito-ranch-for-6-85-million|title=Oprah buys Jeff Bridges' Montecito ranch for $6.85 million|last=Flemming|first=Jack|date=November 13, 2010|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|language=en-US|access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=David|first1=Mark|title=Oprah Coughs Up Almost $29 Million for Equestrian Estate in Montecito|url=https://variety.com/2016/dirt/real-estalker/oprah-buys-montecito-equestrian-estate-1201700072/|access-date=July 16, 2017|work=Variety|date=February 8, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Lewis Nixon III]]<ref>{{cite web
|author-last1=Margaritoff
|author-first1=Marco
|editor-first1=Jaclyn
|editor-last1=Anglis
|title=The True Story Of Captain Lewis Nixon And The ‘Band Of Brothers’ He Served With During World War II
|website=All That's Interesting
|url=https://allthatsinteresting.com/lewis-nixon
|url-status=live
|orig-date=29 November 2021
|date=13 November 2024
|access-date=11 November 2025
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111222137/https://allthatsinteresting.com/lewis-nixon
|archive-date=11 November 2025
|quote=When not in Manhattan, the bicoastal Nixon was in Montecito, California throughout his youth.
}}</ref>
{{div col end}}
<!--DO NOT ADD ANY ENTRIES WITHOUT A RELIABLE SOURCE-->

== In popular culture ==

* ''[[20th Century Women]]'': 2016 film by [[Mike Mills (director)|Mike Mills]] 
* [[It's Complicated (film)|''It's Complicated'']]: 2009 film by [[Nancy Meyers|Nancy Myers]]
* ''[[An American Family]]'': 1973 [[PBS]] documentary series. America's "first reality TV show" follows the Loud family who live on Mountain Drive. This story was revisited in the fictionalized 2011 HBO drama [[Cinema Verite (2011 film)|''Cinema Verite'']].
* ''[[In Montecito]]'': 1963 poem by [[Randall Jarrell]]

==See also==
* [[History of Santa Barbara, California]]
* [[Shalawa Meadow, California]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Baker, Gayle.  ''Santa Barbara''.  Harbor Town Histories, Santa Barbara.  2003.  {{ISBN|0-9710984-1-7}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Montecito, California}}
{{Wikivoyage|Montecito}}
* [https://www.montecitoassociation.org Montecito Association]
* [https://montecitomusicfestival.com Montecito International Music Festival]

{{Santa Barbara County, California}}
{{California Central Coast}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Montecito, California| ]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Santa Barbara County, California]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in California]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in California]]