Santa Barbara, CA town hall & government
Santa Barbara spent $457.2 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $5,223 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Santa Barbara's government.
Who runs Santa Barbara
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Santa Barbara's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 30%
- Utility sales 23%
- Sales taxes 22%
- Property taxes 9%
- Interest, fines & other 7%
- From the federal government 3%
- Other taxes & licenses 3%
- From the state 2%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Santa Barbara
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Santa Barbara's K–12 school district. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal
- Local 75%
- State 17%
- Federal 8%
Of the $18,639 per pupil, $10,346 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Santa Barbara: Goleta Union Elementary School District ($21,822 per pupil) · Hope Elementary School District ($20,986 per pupil).
Which schools Santa Barbara kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Santa Barbara pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Santa Barbara's government
Who represents Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Salud O. Carbajal. Gavin Newsom is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.