View source for Santa Maria, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{For|the California wine region|Santa Maria Valley AVA}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
| name               = Santa Maria, California
| other_name         = 
| native_name        = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = City Hall, angle 3, Broadway & Cook Street, Santa Maria, California LCCN2017703124 (cropped).tif
| image_caption      = Santa Maria City Hall
| image_flag         = Flag of Santa Maria, California.gif
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 
| nickname           = BBQ Capital of California
| motto              = 
| image_map          = Santa_Barbara_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Santa_Maria_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location in [[Santa Barbara County, California|Santa Barbara County]] and the state of [[California]]
| pushpin_map        = USA California Southern#California#USA
| pushpin_label      = Santa Maria
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Southern California##Location in California##Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief     = 1
<!-- Location ------------------>
| coordinates        = {{coord|34|57|5|N|120|26|0|W|region:US-CA_type:city:110,000|display=it}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flagu|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|California}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Santa Barbara County, California|Santa Barbara]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Metropolitan statistical area|Metro]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Santa Barbara County, California|Santa Maria-Santa Barbara]]
<!-- Politics ----------------->
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1874{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}}
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = September 12, 1905<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
 |format=Word 
 |publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |archive-date=November 3, 2014 }}</ref>
| established_title3 = [[Charter city|Chartered]]
| established_date3  = December 2000<ref name=profile/>
| government_type    = [[Council–manager government|Council-manager]]<ref name=profile>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showdocument?id=6957|title=City Profile|publisher=City of Santa Maria|access-date=March 20, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221429/http://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showdocument?id=6957|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Alice Patino<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/departments/mayor-city-council
 | title = Mayor & City Council
 | publisher = City of Santa Maria
 | access-date = January 7, 2015
 | archive-date = December 25, 2018
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181225150812/http://www.cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/departments/mayor-city-council
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>
| 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 15, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
| leader_title2      = [[California's 37th State Assembly district|Assemblymember]]
| 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=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>
| total_type         = [[City (California)|City]]
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| 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=October 30, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 23.42
| area_total_km2     = 60.65
| area_land_sq_mi    = 22.81
| area_land_km2      = 59.08
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.61
| area_water_km2     = 1.58
| area_water_percent = 2.60
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 2735.09
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1652791|Santa Maria|access-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref>
| elevation_ft       = 217
| elevation_m        = 66
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name=quick>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/santamariacitycalifornia |title=Santa Maria (city) QuickFacts |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=June 24, 2022}}</ref>
| population_total   = 109707
| pop_est_as_of      = 2024
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{Cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |access-date=October 11, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| population_est     = 111346
| population_rank    = [[List of largest California cities by population|60th]] in California<br />[[List of United States cities by population|292nd]] in the United States
| population_density_sq_mi = 4809.60
| population_density_km2 = 1857.24
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/P1/320M100US0642060 | title = American FactFinder - Results | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date = May 24, 2015 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200213012722/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/P1/320M100US0642060 | archive-date = February 13, 2020 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| population_metro   = 448229
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = auto
<!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;7
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 93454–93458
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 805|805]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = {{FIPS|06|69196}}
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
| blank1_info        = {{GNIS 4|1652791}}, {{GNIS 4|2411824}}
| website            = {{URL|https://www.cityofsantamaria.org|cityofsantamaria.org}}
}}

'''Santa Maria''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "[[Mary, mother of Jesus|St. Mary]]") is a city in [[Santa Barbara County, California]], United States. Located on the [[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast of California]], it is approximately {{convert|65|mi}} northwest of [[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]] and {{convert|150|mi}} northwest of [[Los Angeles]]. Its population was 109,707 at the 2020 census.<ref name=quick /> The city is notable for its wine industry and [[Santa Maria–style barbecue]].

==History==
{{Main|History of Santa Maria, California}}
[[File:Juan_Pacífico_Ontiveros.png|thumb|left|upright|Santa Maria was named by noted [[Californio]] ranchero Juan Pacífico Ontiveros.]]
[[File:11 Ethel Pope Aud front (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Ethel Pope Auditorium]]
[[File:Architect and engineer (1934) (14578059319).jpg|thumb|upright|left|City Hall, 1934]]
The Santa Maria Valley, stretching from the [[Sierra Madre (California)]] Mountains toward the [[Pacific Ocean]], was the homeland of the [[Chumash people]] for several thousand years. The [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] made their homes on the slopes of the surrounding hills among the [[Quercus agrifolia|oak]]s, on the banks of the Santa Maria River among the [[Platanus racemosa|sycamore]]s, and along the coast. They had unique plank-built boats, called [[Tomol]], which they used for ocean fishing.

In 1769, the [[Gaspar de Portolá|Portolá Expedition]] passed through the Santa Maria Valley during the first [[Spanish people|Spanish]] land exploration up the coast of [[Las Californias]] Province. [[Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa]] was established just north of the valley in 1772, and [[Mission La Purísima Concepción]] was established near present-day [[Lompoc]] in 1787. Rather than rich soil, white settlers were attracted here by the possibility of free land. In 1821, after the [[Mexican War of Independence]], the mission lands in Santa Maria Valley were made available for private ownership under a [[Ranchos of California|Mexican land grant]] called [[Rancho Punta de Laguna]]. At the end of the [[Mexican–American War|Mexican War]] in 1848, California [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo|was ceded]] to the United States, and was granted statehood with the [[Compromise of 1850]].

In the late 19th century, the area's rich soil attracted farmers and other settlers. By the end of the century, the Santa Maria River Valley had become one of the most productive agricultural areas in the state. Agriculture remains a key component of the economy for the city and the entire region.<ref name=ci.santa-maria.ca.us>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/history.html|title=A Bit About the History of the City of Santa Maria|access-date=July 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105113623/http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/history.html |archive-date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref>

Between 1869 and 1874, four of the valley's settlers, Rudolph Cook, John Thornburg, Isaac Fesler (for whom Fesler Jr. High School is named), and Isaac Miller (for whom Miller Elementary School is named), built their homes near each other at the present corners on Broadway and Main Street. The townsite was recorded in Santa Barbara in 1875. The new town was named Grangerville, then changed to Central City. It became Santa Maria on February 18, 1885, since mail was often being sent by mistake to [[Central City, Colorado]]. Santa Maria was chosen from the name Juan Pacifico Ontiveros had given to his property 25 years earlier.{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}} Streets named after the four settlers now form a 6-block square centered at Broadway and Main Street, the center of town.

[[Oil exploration]] began in 1888, leading to large-scale discoveries at the turn of the 20th century. In 1902, [[Union Oil]] discovered the large [[Orcutt Oil Field]] in the [[Solomon Hills]] south of town, and a number of smaller companies also began pumping oil. Two years later, Union Oil had 22 wells in production. Other significant discoveries followed, including the [[Lompoc Oil Field]] in 1903 and the [[Cat Canyon Oil Field|Cat Canyon field]] in 1908. Over the next 80 years more large oil fields were found, and thousands of oil wells drilled and put into production.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martellotti|first=Patricia|date=September 8, 2021|title=Santa Maria Cemetery: Crews discover oil well abandoned in 1929|url=https://keyt.com/news/2021/09/08/santa-maria-cemetery-crews-discover-oil-well-abandoned-in-1929/|access-date=September 9, 2021|website=NewsChannel 3-12|language=en-US}}</ref> Oil development intensified in the 1930s, with the discovery of the Santa Maria Valley Oil Field in 1934,<ref name="2008rpt">{{Cite FTP | title = 2008 Report of the state oil & gas supervisor | year = 2009 | url = ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/oil/annual_reports/2008/PR06_Annual_2008.pdf | server = Department of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources | url-status = dead | access-date = January 3, 2010 }} p. 63</ref> right underneath the southern and western parts of the city of Santa Maria, which spurred the city's growth even further. By 1957 there were 1,775 oil wells in operation in the [[Santa Maria Valley]], producing more than $640 million worth of oil.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|23.4|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|22.8|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}} of it (2.60%) is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020"/>

Santa Maria is situated north of the unincorporated community of [[Orcutt, California|Orcutt]], and south of the [[Santa Maria River (California)|Santa Maria River]] (which serves as the line between [[Santa Barbara County, California|Santa Barbara]] and [[San Luis Obispo County, California|San Luis Obispo]] counties). The valley is bordered on the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and to the east by the [[San Rafael Mountains]] and the [[Los Padres National Forest]]. The city of [[Guadalupe, California|Guadalupe]] is approximately {{convert|9|mi|km}} to the west of Santa Maria.

===Climate===
Santa Maria experiences a cool [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Csb'') typical of coastal areas of California north of Point Conception. The climate is mostly sunny, refreshed by the ocean breeze. Fog is common. Snow in the mountains is seen during the winter. In the lowest parts of the city it is virtually unknown; with the last brief flurry recorded in January 1949. The only recorded earlier snowfall was in January 1882. Rainfall averages {{convert|13.32|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} annually; however as is typical for the region it is very variable, with actual falls ranging from just {{convert|4.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} in the "rain year" from July 1971 to June 1972, to {{convert|32.56|in|mm|abbr=on}} between July 1997 and June 1998. The wettest month on record has been January 1995 with {{convert|11.78|in|mm|abbr=on}} , and the wettest day February 10, 1938, when {{convert|3.55|in|mm|abbr=on}} fell in 24 hours. The record high temperature of {{convert|110|°F|°C|1}} was observed on June 20, 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/weather/weather-watch/article244520097.html|title=SLO County could see a heat wave in August. Could it break local records?|author=Lindsey, John|newspaper=[[The Tribune (San Luis Obispo)|The Tribune]]|date=July 27, 2020|accessdate=February 11, 2022}}</ref> while the record low of {{convert|20|°F|°C|1}} was observed twice: on January 2, 1976, and December 7, 1978.

{{Weather box
|location = [[Santa Maria Public Airport]], California (1991–2020, extremes 1948–present)
|width = auto
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 89
|Feb record high F = 89
|Mar record high F = 95
|Apr record high F = 103
|May record high F = 105
|Jun record high F = 110
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 106
|Oct record high F = 108
|Nov record high F = 96
|Dec record high F = 90
|Jan avg record high F = 77.2
|Feb avg record high F = 79.1
|Mar avg record high F = 79.8
|Apr avg record high F = 85.4
|May avg record high F = 84.1
|Jun avg record high F = 85.2
|Jul avg record high F = 85.6
|Aug avg record high F = 85.5
|Sep avg record high F = 90.1
|Oct avg record high F = 91.8
|Nov avg record high F = 84.4
|Dec avg record high F = 76.2
|year avg record high F= 96.9
|Jan high F = 64.7
|Feb high F = 64.8
|Mar high F = 66.3
|Apr high F = 68.1
|May high F = 69.3
|Jun high F = 71.3
|Jul high F = 73.3
|Aug high F = 73.8
|Sep high F = 75.0
|Oct high F = 74.6
|Nov high F = 70.0
|Dec high F = 64.3
|year high F = 69.6
|Jan mean F = 52.8
|Feb mean F = 53.6
|Mar mean F = 55.3
|Apr mean F = 56.7
|May mean F = 59.0
|Jun mean F = 61.5
|Jul mean F = 64.1
|Aug mean F = 64.5
|Sep mean F = 64.3
|Oct mean F = 62.2
|Nov mean F = 57.1
|Dec mean F = 52.2
|year mean F = 58.6
|Jan low F = 41.0
|Feb low F = 42.5
|Mar low F = 44.3
|Apr low F = 45.4
|May low F = 48.7
|Jun low F = 51.6
|Jul low F = 53.8
|Aug low F = 54.2
|Sep low F = 53.7
|Oct low F = 49.8
|Nov low F = 44.3
|Dec low F = 40.1
|year low F= 47.4
|Jan avg record low F = 29.8
|Feb avg record low F = 31.3
|Mar avg record low F = 34.2
|Apr avg record low F = 35.5
|May avg record low F = 39.7
|Jun avg record low F = 43.8
|Jul avg record low F = 48.6
|Aug avg record low F = 48.7
|Sep avg record low F = 45.9
|Oct avg record low F = 40.1
|Nov avg record low F = 33.1
|Dec avg record low F = 28.7
|year avg record low F= 27.1
|Jan record low F = 20
|Feb record low F = 22
|Mar record low F = 24
|Apr record low F = 28
|May record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 35
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 32
|Oct record low F = 26
|Nov record low F = 21
|Dec record low F = 20
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.74
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.85
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.56
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.93
|May precipitation inch = 0.36
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.06
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.03
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.01
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.07
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.54
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.12
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.05
|year precipitation inch= 13.32
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 7.7
|Feb precipitation days = 8.7
|Mar precipitation days = 8.1
|Apr precipitation days = 4.3
|May precipitation days = 1.6
|Jun precipitation days = 0.6
|Jul precipitation days = 0.4
|Aug precipitation days = 0.5
|Sep precipitation days = 1.1
|Oct precipitation days = 3.0
|Nov precipitation days = 5.2
|Dec precipitation days = 6.9
|year precipitation days= 48.1
| Jan humidity = 65.4
| Feb humidity = 72.7
| Mar humidity = 75.7
| Apr humidity = 75.6
| May humidity = 78.9
| Jun humidity = 79.3
| Jul humidity = 81.2
| Aug humidity = 79.9
| Sep humidity = 80.5
| Oct humidity = 74.7
| Nov humidity = 71.3
| Dec humidity = 70.8
| year humidity= 75.5
|source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity 1961–1990)<ref name="NOWData NWS Los Angeles / Oxnard (LOX)">{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lox |website=NOWData |title=NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711032124/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lox |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=NOAAtxt>{{cite web |url = ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/1981-2010/products/station/USW00023273.normals.txt |title = CA Santa Maria Public AP |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804020718/ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/1981-2010/products/station/USW00023273.normals.txt |archive-date = 2020-08-04 |url-status = dead |access-date = September 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name=NOAAsun>{{cite web |url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72394.TXT |title = WMO Climate Normals for Santa Maria/Public, CA 1961–1990 |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804020910/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72394.TXT |archive-date = 2020-08-04 |url-status = dead |access-date = September 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name= NOAA>{{cite web  |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&location=OR&station=USC00353193
  |title = NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access  |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
  |access-date = November 16, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 2260
|1920= 3943
|1930= 7057
|1940= 8522
|1950= 10440
|1960= 20027
|1970= 32749
|1980= 39685
|1990= 61284
|2000= 77423
|2010= 99553
|2020= 109707
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Santa Maria city, California – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Santa Maria city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0669196&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Santa Maria city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0669196&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Santa Maria city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0669196&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|24,742
|21,626
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16,758
|31.96%
|21.72%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15.28%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|1,246
|1,193
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,043
|1.61%
|1.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.95%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|390
|345
|style='background: #ffffe6; |322
|0.50%
|0.35%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.29%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|3,406
|4,652
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,999
|4.40%
|4.67%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.56%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|109
|132
|style='background: #ffffe6; |96
|0.14%
|0.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.09%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other Race]] alone (NH)
|68
|157
|style='background: #ffffe6; |504
|0.09%
|0.16%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.46%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,266
|1,334
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,017
|1.64%
|1.34%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.84%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|46,196
|70,114
|style='background: #ffffe6; |83,968
|59.67%
|70.43%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |76.54%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''77,423'''
|'''99,553'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''109,707'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010===
[[File:San Ramon 01.jpg|thumb|left|[[Chapel of San Ramon]]]]
The [[2010 United States census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0669196|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715033046/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0669196|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Santa Maria city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Santa Maria had a population of 99,553. The population density was {{convert|4,255.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Santa Maria was 55,983 (56.2%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1,656 (1.7%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1,818 (1.8%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5,054 (5.1%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 161 (0.2%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 29,841 (30.0%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5,040 (5.1%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 70,114 persons (70.4%).

The Census reported that 98,546 people (99.0% of the population) lived in households, 588 (0.6%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and 419 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 26,908 households, out of which 13,223 (49.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 14,616 (54.3%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 3,962 (14.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,901 (7.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,754 (6.5%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 190 (0.7%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 5,079 households (18.9%) were made up of individuals, and 2,431 (9.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.66. There were 20,479 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (76.1% of all households); the average family size was 4.06.

The population was spread out, with 31,302 people (31.4%) under the age of 18, 12,170 people (12.2%) aged 18 to 24, 28,486 people (28.6%) aged 25 to 44, 18,204 people (18.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 9,391 people (9.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

There were 28,294 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,209.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 13,893 (51.6%) were owner-occupied, and 13,015 (48.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.8%. 46,463 people (46.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 52,083 people (52.3%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
According to the 2000 [[census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 77,423 people, 22,146 households, and 16,653 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|4,005.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 22,847 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,182.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 58.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.8% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.18% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 28.02% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.36% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 59.7% of the population.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |title=U.S. Census website |access-date=June 25, 2019 }}</ref>

There were 22,146 households, out of which 42% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.40 and the average family size was 3.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,739, and the median income for a family was $48,233. Males had a median income of $28,700 versus $22,364 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,780. About 15.5% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:Pinot Noir wine fields in Santa Maria, CA - Flickr - Moto@Club4AG.jpg|thumb|right|Vineyards in the [[Santa Maria Valley AVA]]]]
[[File:Lewellen Justice Center (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Lewellen Justice Center]] [[Agriculture]] plays an important role in the city's economy. The Santa Maria area is home to an increasing number of [[vineyards]], [[wineries]] and [[winemakers]] and is centrally located to both the [[Santa Ynez]] and Foxen Canyon areas of Santa Barbara County's wine country, and San Luis Obispo County's [[Edna Valley]]-[[Arroyo Grande]] wine country.

The agricultural areas surrounding the city are some of the most productive in California, with primary crops including [[strawberries]], [[wine grapes]], [[celery]], [[lettuce]], [[peas]], [[Squash (plant)|squash]], [[cauliflower]], [[spinach]], [[broccoli]] and [[beans]]. Many [[cattle]] ranchers also call the Santa Maria Valley home. Farmworkers in [[Santa Barbara County]] earn an average hourly wage of ~$17/hr in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Christina |title=Hundreds of Central Coast Farmworkers plan a day of action in Santa Maria |url=https://keyt.com/news/santa-maria-north-county/2024/04/28/hundreds-of-central-coast-farmworkers-plan-a-day-of-action-in-santa-maria/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |work=News Channel 3-12 |date=April 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Farmworkers protest in Santa Maria, demand better wages and working conditions |url=https://calcoastnews.com/2024/04/farmworkers-protest-in-santa-maria-demand-better-wages-and-working-conditions/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |work=Cal Coast News |date=April 29, 2024}}</ref>

Two of the city's major retail centers, the Crossroads,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crossroadssantamaria.com/ |title=The Crossroads at Santa Maria |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222214001/http://www.crossroadssantamaria.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> completed in 1999, and the historic Enos Ranch site,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.santamariasun.com/cover/17801/big-box-beltway-santa-maria-celebrates-enos-ranch-as-a-revenue-and-retail-attractor-while-some-locals-question-the-citys-development-priorities/|title=Big box beltway: Santa Maria celebrates Enos Ranch as a revenue and retail attractor, while some locals question the city's development priorities|work=santamariasun.com|date=September 12, 2018|access-date=June 30, 2021}}</ref> still under development, are both situated adjacent to the U.S. Route 101/Betteravia Road interchange and feature several prominent big-box stores. The city is also home to the [[Santa Maria Town Center]], the only enclosed shopping mall in Santa Barbara County and the largest on the Central Coast, located at the junction of Broadway and Main Street.

Santa Maria also features the historic Santa Maria Inn, located on South Broadway; originally built in 1917 by Frank McCoy, it is a registered historic landmark and features a wide range of amenities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.santamariainn.com/ |title=Santa Maria Inn |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707144500/http://www.santamariainn.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Several famous guests have stayed at this inn, including [[Charlie Chaplin]], [[Rudolph Valentino]], [[Bette Davis]], [[Bing Crosby]], and [[Herbert Hoover]].

In recent years, other industries have been added to the city's agricultural and retail mix, including: aerospace; communications; high-tech research and development; energy production; military operations; and manufacturing.

The [[petroleum]] industry has long had a large presence in the area, since oil was first discovered at the [[Orcutt Oil Field]] in 1902. By 1957, there were 1,775 oil wells in operation in the Santa Maria Valley, producing more than $640 million worth of oil.<ref name="ci.santa-maria.ca.us"/>

===Top employers===

According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 |url=https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showdocument?id=27224 |website=Welcome to the City of Santa Maria |publisher=City of Santa Maria |access-date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
|[[Vandenberg Space Force Base]]
|6,700
|-
|2
|[[Santa Maria-Bonita School District]]
|2,100
|-
|3
|Marian Regional Medical Center
|1,920
|-
|4
|[[Allan Hancock College]]
|1,480
|-
|5
|C&D [[Zodiac Aerospace]]
|915
|-
|6
|[[Santa Maria Joint Union High School District]]
|805
|-
|7
|Windset Farms 
|750
|-
|8
|City of Santa Maria
|586
|-
|9
|[[Walmart]]
|440
|-
|10
|Agro-Jal Farms
|420
|}

==Arts and culture==
===Tri-tip and Santa Maria-style barbecue===
[[File:Tri-tip, baked beans and toast.jpg|thumb|[[Tri-tip]] on the grill, with a saucepan of beans and loaves of sourdough bread]]
{{main|Santa Maria-style barbecue}}
Santa Maria-style barbecue is a regional culinary tradition rooted in the Santa Maria Valley. The [[tri-tip]] steak has its roots in Santa Maria.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} Tri-tip is a cut of beef from the [[bottom sirloin]]. It is a small triangular muscle, usually {{convert|1.5|to|2.5|lb|g|abbr=on}} per side of beef. In the United States, this cut was typically used for [[ground beef]] or sliced into steaks until the late 1950s, when it became a local specialty in Santa Maria. "Santa Maria-style" barbecue is usually used in reference to the seasoning of tri-tip or other meats (most notably [[top sirloin]], or "top block") when rubbed with salt, pepper, and spices and cooked whole on a [[rotisserie]] or grilled over local [[Erythrobalanus|red oak]] wood. The side dishes complementing a typical "Santa Maria-style" barbecue generally consist of [[garlic bread]], [[Common bean#Pink beans|pinquito beans]], and a [[salad]].

Sunset Magazine's August 2013 issue features a 10-page spread on Santa Maria Style BBQ, crowning Santa Maria as "The West's Best BBQ Town".<ref name="santamariavalleybbq1">{{cite news|url=https://santamariavalley.com/sunsets-epic-feature-on-santa-maria-bbq/|title=Sunset's Epic Feature on Santa Maria BBQ|work=santamariavalley.com|date=July 25, 2013|access-date=July 14, 2017|archive-date=August 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823115138/https://santamariavalley.com/sunsets-epic-feature-on-santa-maria-bbq/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Wine===
{{Main|Santa Maria Valley AVA}}

Santa Maria, along with the neighboring [[Lompoc, California|Lompoc]], [[Los Alamos, California|Los Alamos]] and [[Santa Ynez Valley]]s, combine to create one of the nation's largest wine-producing regions, referred to as the Santa Barbara Wine Country.

The often foggy and windswept Santa Maria Valley is the northernmost appellation in [[Santa Barbara County]]. The region's first officially approved [[American Viticultural Area]] (AVA) enjoys extremely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates. [[Chardonnay]] and [[Pinot noir]] are two varietals which especially benefit from the ocean's influence, and are the flagship wines of this appellation.

Santa Maria Valley grapes are also used by wineries throughout [[Santa Barbara County]] and at many wineries outside of the county. The Santa Maria Valley name is used on labels from wineries that are based far away from the Santa Barbara County sunshine. The Santa Maria Valley appellation is bounded by the [[San Rafael Mountains]] and the [[Los Padres National Forest]] to the east, and by the Solomon Hills and the city of Santa Maria to the west.

===Theatre===
Santa Maria's [[Allan Hancock College]] is the home of The [[Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts]] (PCPA), a theatrical school and production company. Notable alumni include: [[Robin Williams]], [[Kathy Bates]], [[Kelly McGillis]], [[Mercedes Ruehl]], [[Scott Aukerman]], and [[Zac Efron]]. An additional PCPA theatre is located in [[Solvang, California]] in the [[Santa Ynez Valley]].

Santa Maria is also home to one large indoor Regal Edwards movie theater, located in the Town Center Mall.

Santa Maria also has a small community theatre, the Santa Maria Civic Theatre which is located on the northwest side of town.

=== Celebrations ===
In the year 2017, the first ever Pride celebration was held in the city of Santa Maria. This was the first recorded pride celebration in the city's history. Organized by HOPE (House of Pride and Equality) in collaboration with Future Leaders of America, the festival took place in the town center west parking lot lasting 5 hours and held many activities for the community at large spanning from dancing, face painting, salsa classes, cabaret, and games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Gina |date=2017-08-12 |title=Santa Maria Pride Celebration and Resource Fair is a first for LGBTQ community |url=https://lompocrecord.com/news/santa-maria-pride-celebration-and-resource-fair-is-a-first-for-lgbtq-community/article_333d8c7f-ac55-5a35-905c-901f845b5e50.html |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Lompoc Record |language=en}}</ref> The Celebration had guest speakers ranging from Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, and Alma Hernandez, who represented 3rd District County Supervisor Joan Hartmann's office. This inaugural Pride celebration paved way for this event to take place every year following, even during the pandemic with a virtual celebration. HOPE (House of Pride and Equality) plan it every year in tandem with many community organizers in hopes to foster a sense of love and community for Santa Maria's LGBTQ+ residents and beyond.

==Parks and recreation==
Santa Maria Fairpark, located at Stowell Road and Thornberg Street, is home to the annual Santa Barbara County Fair, which began in 1891. It is also home to the annual Strawberry Festival, in addition to a wide variety of other events, concerts, and conventions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.santamariafairpark.com/p/about |title=About Us, Santa Maria Fairpark |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204090648/http://www.santamariafairpark.com/p/about |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center offers an Olympic-size competition pool, as well as a recreational pool with a fan-shaped zero-depth entryway. It has swim lessons and a swim club and in the summer it's open for the public and anyone can swim in it. In the main building it has a basketball ball court an art room and a snack room. It also has two Santa Maria style bbq sets and a baseball field.
<ref>{{Cite web | title=City of Santa Maria : Paul Nelson Aquatic Center | url=https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/departments/recreation-and-parks/get-active/paul-nelson-aquatic-center | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923064821/http://www.cityofsantamaria.org:80/city-government/departments/recreation-and-parks/get-active/paul-nelson-aquatic-center | access-date=2025-01-22 | archive-date=2015-09-23}}</ref>

Waller Park is a 154-acre park located at the south end of Santa Maria, featuring two large duck ponds with water fountains, several playgrounds, picnic and sports areas, a hiking trail, and a frisbee golf course. The first parcels of land that would become Waller Park were donated by the Santa Maria Golf and Country Club in 1928, and the remainder of the land was purchased in 1964 and 1967.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.countyofsb.org/parks/day-use/waller.sbc |title=Waller Park, Santa Barbara County Parks |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=May 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525182215/https://www.countyofsb.org/parks/day-use/waller.sbc |url-status=live }}</ref>

Waller park is a large park with many facility's, it has trails to take a walk. It also has many facility's t enjoy and have fun.

Preisker Park, located at the north end, is home to large open fields, a disc golf course, playgrounds and picnic areas. Its main feature is the large pond with a small replica of the [[Santa María (ship)|Santa Maria]] ship, which children can play on.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://santamariavalley.com/attractions/preisker-park/ |title=Preisker Park, Santa Maria Valley |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124150438/https://santamariavalley.com/attractions/preisker-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Santa Maria Skate Park is located in Fletcher Park. There is also the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center/Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. Rotary Centennial Park has a basketball court, a baseball field, a large open grass area, and two playgrounds. Each year, the Annual Free Family Kite Festival organized by the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is held there.

==Government==
[[File:NAACP George Floyd protest in Santa Maria, California - 2020-06-06.jpg|thumb|right|Santa Maria City Hall]]
Santa Maria's government is split down the middle of the [[political spectrum]], in contrast to Santa Barbara, which tends to be more liberal. Due in part to this political division, plus irrigation and water-supply issues, many attempts have been made to divide the county, the northern portion from [[Point Conception]] upwards to become Mission County. Thus far the movement has been unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sbcvote.com/elect/resources/results6_2006/results-1.htm|title=Direct Primary Election June 6, 2006 Certified Results|work=sbcvote.com|date=June 29, 2006|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> Santa Maria is a reliably [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] stronghold, having voted for the Democratic candidate{{clarification needed |reason=For which office(s)? |date=January 2025}} for the past six elections, {{as of |2020|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/voting/city/california/santa_maria |title=Politics & Voting in Santa Maria, California |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630202357/https://www.bestplaces.net/voting/city/california/santa_maria |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==
===School districts===
The [[Santa Maria Joint Union High School District]] (SMJUHSD) is the oldest high school district in the State of California and runs the three primary public high schools in the area: [[Santa Maria High School]], [[Pioneer Valley High School]], and [[Ernest Righetti High School]]. The [[Santa Maria-Bonita School District]] is home to 16,900 students in 17 elementary schools (K-6th grade) and four junior high schools (7th-8th grade). The schools in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District serve students who live within the city limits of Santa Maria, the county area of Tanglewood and the county area just outside Santa Maria heading toward Guadalupe. There are also four notable private schools in the valley: [[St. Joseph High School (Santa Maria, California)|St. Joseph High School]], St. Marys Catholic School, Valley Christian Academy, and Pacific Christian School (K-6th grade).

The Orcutt Union School District serves students who live in the unincorporated community of Orcutt and serves students in grades K through 12.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schools |url=https://www.orcuttschools.net/# |website=Orcutt Union School District |access-date=September 8, 2022}}</ref>

===Allan Hancock College===
[[Allan Hancock College]] is a California public [[community college]] located in northern Santa Barbara County. Allan Hancock College was ranked as one of the five best community colleges in California and one of the nation's top 120 community colleges.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://santamariachambernews.com/2011/05/hancock-named-one-of-nations-top-120-community-colleges/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508135821/http://santamariachambernews.com/2011/05/hancock-named-one-of-nations-top-120-community-colleges/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2011|title=Hancock Named one of Nations Top 120 Community Colleges|work=santamariachambernews.com|date=May 4, 2011|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> Approximately 11,500 credit students enroll each semester at one of the college's four locations in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Solvang, or at [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=how+many+students+are+there+in+allan+hancock+college |title=How Many Students Are There in Allan Hancock College?|work=[[Wolfram Alpha]]|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> The main campus is in a 105-acre park in Santa Maria. Allan Hancock College is known for its distinguished athletic programs which have included former head football coaches [[John Madden]]<ref name="timeline">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2272967-181/timeline-of-john-maddens-life|title=Timeline of John Madden's life and career|date=April 17, 2009|newspaper=Santa Rosa Press Democrat|first=PHIL |last=BARBER|access-date=December 28, 2018}}</ref> and [[Ernie Zampese]], as well as [[Gunther Cunningham]]. The college is also home to the [[Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts]], one of the state's finest theatre programs.

Santa Maria is also home to [[Santa Barbara Business College]], which has been serving the community since 1982.

==Media==
===Television===
The following TV stations broadcast in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria Television Market Area:
* [[KEYT-TV|KEYT]] 3, an [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]/[[Columbia Broadcasting System|CBS]]/[[MyNetworkTV|MNTV]]  television affiliate;
* [[KSBY]] 6, an [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] television affiliate; broadcast from [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]]
* [[KCOY]] 12, a [[Telemundo]] television affiliate; broadcast from Santa Maria
* [[KKFX-CD|KKFX]] 24, a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] television affiliate; license to [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]] studios broadcast from [[KCOY]] in Santa Maria. Also seen on cable channel 11.
* [[KTAS]] 33, a [[TeleXitos]] affiliate; broadcast from [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]]
* [[KPMR]] 38, a [[Univision]] affiliate

===Radio===
{{colbegin}}
*1240 [[KSMA (AM)|KSMA]] News/Talk
*1380 [[KVSM]] "Mario 1380" [[Regional Mexican]]
*1410 [[KTNK]] [[Classic Country]]
*1440 [[KUHL]] News/Talk
*1480 [[KSBQ]] "La Mexicana"[[Ranchera]]
*1600 [[KTAP]] "Radio Ranchito [[Regional Mexican]]
*88.9 KXWB "La Nueva Radio Vision"  "Spanish Christian Talk"
*89.7 [[KCLM]] [[NPR]] operated by [[California Lutheran University|Cal Lutheran]]
*90.5 [[KGDP-FM|KGDP]] "Family Life Radio" [[Contemporary Christian Music|Contemporary Christian]]
*91.5 [[KRQZ]] "RadioU" [[Christian Rock]]
*94.1 [[KLMM]] "Radio Lazer" [[Regional Mexican]]
*95.7 [[KPAT]] "The Beat" [[Rhythmic Contemporary|CHR-Rhythmic]]
*96.7 [[KSYV]] "Mix 96.7" [[Adult Contemporary]]
*97.1 [[KRTO]] [[Rhythmic Oldies]]
*99.1 [[KXFM]] "Old School 99.1 FM" [[Rhythmic Oldies]]
*100.3 [[KRQK]], "La Ley" [[Regional Mexican]] [[Lompoc, California|Lompoc]]. 
*102.5 [[KSNI]] "Sunny Country" [[Country music|Country]]
*103.3 [[KRUZ (FM)|KRUZ]] [[Classic Hits]] Broadcast from Santa Barbara, California
*104.1 [[KBOX]] "Pirate Radio" [[Adult Hits]]
*105.1 [[KIDI-FM|KIDI]] "La Buena" [[Regional Mexican]]
*106.7 [[KSMY]] "La Mejor" [[Spanish Oldies]]
{{colend}}

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
====Roads====
[[File:CA 135 northern terminus.jpg|thumb|Route 135 as Broadway in Santa Maria near its northern terminus, looking southbound, June 2014]]
[[U.S. Route 101 in California|US 101]] runs through the middle of the [[Santa Maria Valley]] and is the main [[Limited-access road|freeway]] connecting many West Coast cities. It has been improved to freeway status (meaning all at-grade intersections have been eliminated) within the city of Santa Maria itself. A $32 million widening project that expanded the freeway from four to six lanes between Santa Maria Way and the Highway 166 exit was completed by early 2009.

[[California State Route 1|SR 1]] runs around the western edge of the city and connects it to nearby [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]] near [[Lompoc, California|Lompoc]]. The section of US 101 in the city is a freeway, and a small part of a nearby section of Highway 1 that runs between the city and the base is also a freeway, but the two freeway segments do not directly connect to each other.

[[California State Route 135|SR 135]] is considered to be the major artery through the city. It comes from [[Los Alamos, California|Los Alamos]], a town to the south of Santa Maria, and it enters Orcutt and Santa Maria as an expressway. The expressway runs all the way to Santa Maria Way. Highway 135 then turns into Broadway and runs through the heart of the city and all the way up to the Santa Maria River and U.S. 101.

====Rail====
The [[Santa Maria Valley Railroad]] is a shortline freight [[railroad]] to [[Guadalupe, California|Guadalupe]] where the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] Interchange point is. Main business includes storage of railroad cars when northern California and southern California storage area are full. In the 1990s, the city proposed a [[light rail]] service to replace the Santa Maria Valley's right-of-way, as its future was uncertain.

The nearest [[train station]] with long-distance [[Amtrak]] service is in [[Guadalupe, California|Guadalupe]], to which Amtrak provides bus service from Santa Maria. Amtrak's [[Pacific Surfliner]] provides twice daily service in each direction, running to [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]] to the north and to [[San Diego]] via [[Los Angeles]] to the south.

[[Amtrak Thruway]] [[Amtrak Thruway#18|18]] provides a daily connection to/from 205 South Nicholson Street to [[Visalia, California|Visalia]], with several stops in between.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://amtraksanjoaquins.com/route18/ | title=Route18 }}</ref>

====Bus====
SMAT, [[Santa Maria Area Transit]], is a local bus service provided by both city and county-run lines, it has recently expanded its services during the evening that stretch to 10:15 P.M. [[The Breeze Bus]] provides service to Lompoc, [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]], and Santa Maria. [[San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority|RTA]] Route 10 connects Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo. The [[Guadalupe Transit|Guadalupe Flyer]] connects Santa Maria and [[Guadalupe, California|Guadalupe]].

Long-distance intercity bus service is provided by [[Greyhound Lines]]. The [[Clean Air Express]] commuter bus runs between Santa Maria and Goleta as well as a line to Santa Barbara weekdays.

====Airport====
[[File:Pacific Skyway Jetstream 31 N653JX-SMX-Feb2000.jpg|thumb|right|[[Santa Maria Public Airport]]]]
The [[Santa Maria Public Airport]] is served by one airline, [[Allegiant Air]]. Allegiant Air operates nonstop jet service to Las Vegas.

Beginning October 15, 2025, American Airlines will begin daily flights between Santa Maria and their HUB at Phoenix Sky Harbor I International Airport.

===Courts===
Santa Maria is home to one of three official Superior Court locations in Santa Barbara County, with the other courthouse located in [[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]]. From 2003 to 2005, the Superior Court handled a felony complaint against [[Michael Jackson]] (see [[Michael Jackson: 2005 trial]]) which reached a not guilty verdict on June 13, 2005. The District Attorney chose to present the trial in Santa Maria due to its close proximity from [[Neverland Ranch]] where the alleged incident took place.

===Law enforcement===
As the primary [[law enforcement agency]] for the City of Santa Maria, the Santa Maria Police Department handles approximately 130,000 calls for service each year. The [[Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office]] also operates within the city in addition to the Santa Maria Park Officers who consist of 6 sworn officers who derive their authority under CA Penal code section 831.31(b). The SMPD is administratively divided into the three divisions, [[Administration (government)|Administration]], Operations, and [[Technical support|Support]], and has 111 sworn officers and 49 full-time support personnel.<ref>[http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/40451.html "Department Organization"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050621192437/http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/40451.html|date=June 21, 2005}}</ref>

==Notable people==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
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• The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
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===Entertainment===
*[[Kathy Bates]], actress
*[[Gary Coleman]], actor
*[[Nino Del Pesco]], musician
*[[Myriam Gurba]], writer
*[[Francisco Jiménez (writer)|Francisco Jiménez]], writer and professor at Santa Clara University 
*[[Chris Lambert (musician)|Chris Lambert]], musician, podcaster 
*[[Beverlee McKinsey]], actress
*[[Kim Miyori]], actress
*[[Joe Nanini]], musician
*[[Chuck Negron]], founding member of [[Three Dog Night]]
*[[Jane Russell]], actress
*[[Aurora Snow]], writer, former pornographic actress and director
*[[Chet Helms]], music promoter

===Sports===
*[[Mark Brunell]], former NFL football player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BRUNEMAR01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526223219/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BRUNEMAR01|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 26, 2006|title=Mark Allen Brunell|publisher= databaseFootball.com |access-date=December 27, 2012 }}</ref>
*[[Elijah Cooks]], NFL football player
*[[Paco Craig (American football)|Paco Craig]], football player
*[[Gunther Cunningham]], former head football coach of NFL's [[Kansas City Chiefs]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/05/13/longtime-nfl-coach-gunther-cunningham-dies-at-72/39475461/|title=Longtime NFL coach Gunther Cunningham dies at 72|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref><!--MISSING CONNECTION TO SANTA MARIA-->
*[[Carlos Diaz (pitcher)|Carlos Dias]], former [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher<ref>{{cite web|url=https://santamariatimes.com/carlos-diaz/image_fd695779-60dd-5224-90b7-464c9098de08.html|title=Carlos Diaz|last=Almanac|first=Contributed Photo, Baseball|website=Santa Maria Times|date=January 16, 2017 |language=en|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref><!--MISSING CONNECTION TO SANTA MARIA-->
*[[Blaine Johnson]], former NHRA Top Fuel driver
*[[Jim Lonborg]], former Major League Baseball player<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=lonboji01|title = Jim Lonborg Stats| publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 27, 2012}}</ref>
*[[John Madden]], Hall of Fame NFL football coach and commentator<ref name="timeline"/>
*[[Josh Prenot]], Rio Olympics 2016 Olympic swimmer medalist from SMSC <ref>{{cite web | url=https://santamariatimes.com/sports/local/from-the-vault-josh-prenots-rise-from-santa-maria-swim-club-member-to-olympic-medalist/article_2ffb7fc4-b4e0-5f18-aa8c-c02bcd7f33f6.html | title=From the Vault: Josh Prenot's rise from Santa Maria Swim Club member to Olympic medalist | date=September 24, 2020 }}</ref>
*[[John Rudometkin]], USC and NBA basketball player, first-round pick of [[1962 NBA draft]]
*[[Marla Runyan]], marathon runner<ref>{{cite web |last1=Michals |first1=Debra |title=Marla Runyan |url=https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marla-runyan |website=National Women's History Museum |access-date=March 5, 2024 |date=2015}}</ref>
*[[Bryn Smith]], retired [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher who played for both [[Santa Maria High School]] and [[Allan Hancock College]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=smithbr01|title = Bryn Smith Stats
| publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 27, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Jim Steels]], MLB player
*[[Robin Ventura]], former Major League Baseball player and manager best remember for his time with the [[Chicago White Sox]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=venturo01|title = Robin Ventura Stats| publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 27, 2012}}</ref> and [[New York Mets]]
*[[Jimy Williams]], Major League Baseball manager<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=williji03|title = Jimy Williams Stats| publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 27, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Ernie Zampese]], NFL football coach{{Citation needed|date= December 2012}}<!--MISSING CONNECTION TO SANTA MARIA-->
*[[Ken Zampese]], NFL football coach{{Citation needed|date= December 2012}}<!--MISSING CONNECTION TO SANTA MARIA-->

===Politics===
*[[Abel Maldonado]], former [[Lieutenant Governor of California]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/16814/abel-maldonado#.UN8nQW9Tz3Q|title =Abel Maldonado's Voting Records|publisher=[[Project Vote Smart]]|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref>

===Other===
*[[William Kraemer Coblentz]], attorney and politician
*[[George Allan Hancock]], philanthropist, oil, railroad and aviation engineer. 
*[[James Lamar McElhany]], President of the [[General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists]] from 1936 to 1950
*[[Inga Muscio]], author and activist
*[[Owen W. Siler]], 15th [[Commandant]] of the [[United States Coast Guard]] (1974–1978)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://coastguardnews.com/obituary-admiral-owen-w-siler/2007/07/19/|title=Obituary: Admiral Owen W. Siler|work=coastguardnews.com|date=July 19, 2007|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref>
*[[Carol Sklenicka]], [[Biography in literature|literary biographer]]

==In popular culture==
In the ''[[Space: 1999]]'' episode "[[Another Time, Another Place (Space: 1999)|Another Time, Another Place]]", the "Earth" Alphans, during their period on Earth, have built a small village in the destroyed Santa Maria,<ref>''[[Space: 1999]]'' episode "[[Another Time, Another Place (Space: 1999)|Another Time, Another Place]]".</ref> discovering that on Earth there was an [[Atlantis]]-like civilization.

In the 1995 film ''[[Nick of Time (film)|Nick of Time]]'', the main character, Gene Watson, who is played by [[Johnny Depp]], is from Santa Maria, CA.

==See also==
{{Portal bar|California}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Santa Maria (California)|Santa Maria}}
* {{Official website|www.cityofsantamaria.org/}}

{{Geographic location
| Center    = Santa Maria
| North     = [[San Luis Obispo County]] line
| Northeast = [[Los Padres National Forest]]
| East      = [[Los Padres National Forest]]
| Southeast = [[Garey, California|Garey]]<br />[[Sisquoc, California|Sisquoc]]
| South     = [[Orcutt, California|Orcutt]]
| Southwest = [[Casmalia, California|Casmalia]]<br />[[Vandenberg Space Force Base|Vandenberg AFB]]
| West      = [[Guadalupe, California|Guadalupe]]
| Northwest = [[Nipomo, California|Nipomo]]
}}
{{Santa Barbara County, California}}
{{California Central Coast}}
{{California}}
{{Southern California megaregion}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Santa Maria, California| ]]
[[Category:1874 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1905 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Santa Barbara County, California]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1874]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1905]]