Goleta ( gə-LEE-tə; Spanish: [ɡoˈleta]; Spanish for "schooner") is a city in southern Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It was incorporated as a city in 2002, after a long period as the largest unincorporated populated area in the county. As of the 2000 census, the census-designated place (CDP) had a total population of 55,204. A significant portion of the census territory of 2000 was not included in the city. The population of Goleta was 32,690 at the 2020 census. It is known for being close to the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Goleta ranks

All →

#42Shortest commute in CA #53Most trails in CA #134Closest to a top hospital in CA All CA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code93116, 93117, 93118

Area code805

Living in Goleta

Housing in Goleta

$1.35M▲ 0.9% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Goleta home is worth about $1,348,000, up 0.9% in a year, 76% above the California typical home.

A seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market61

Sale-to-list98.8%

Sold in May14

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Goleta

C⁺

Safety Grade C+

Goleta reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 56% report less. Within California, it does better than 71% of towns.

Violent crime per 1,000

Goleta 2

California 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Goleta 11.4

California 18.2

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Goleta

Full picture →

About one in 4 of Goleta’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Santa Barbara (29%), Eastern Goleta Valley (6%) and University of California-Santa Barbara (6%). Half commute less than 8 miles.

Santa Barbara

29%

Eastern Goleta Valley

University of California-Santa Barbara

Los Angeles

24%Work in townlive and work in Goleta 8 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 21,346Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Goleta →

Health in Goleta

Health Grade A

Healthier than 85% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with California

14better than CA·1worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 17 are too close to call.

Conditions 3▲ 1▼ 8 close Habits 2▲ 2 close Care 3▲ 4 close Mind 2▲ 3 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

7.3%Fewer older adults who have lost all their teethCA 10.6% · better 13.5%Fewer adults facing food insecurityCA 17.9% · better 7.2%More adults who have had cancerCA 6.4% · worse

Care nearby

Goleta Valley Cottage HospitalSanta Barbara · 2.8 mi · ER

Isla Vista Neighborhood ClinicGoleta · 1.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalShortage · part of Goleta

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Goleta · CMS · HRSAHealth in Goleta →

Natural hazards in Goleta

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 92% of U.S. communities.

🏚️ Earthquakes🌊 Inland flooding

7Does Goleta flood?paid flood claims since 1998 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Goleta MapGoleta vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Goleta →

Climate in Goleta

Full climate →

Goleta has warm winters and cool summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 72°, a January night drops to 45°, and snow is almost unheard of.

64° / 46°Winter

66° / 50°Spring

71° / 57°Summer

71° / 54°Fall

How much snow does Goleta get?Almost none.Rain & snow →Does it ever freeze?In about 46% of years.Frost →Is it warmer than it used to be?+2.6° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Goleta →