Living in Ballard, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ballard · Census data 2020–2024
Ballard has 863 residents with a median age of 42.3. The median household income is $140,833 (42% higher than the California median), the median home value is $1,742,200, the median rent is $2,563/month.
Ballard is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Ballard at a glance
- Population
- 863
- Median age
- 42.3State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $140,833State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,742,200State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,563/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 73.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53%
- Average commute
- 39 min
Is Ballard a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 42% higher than the California median.
Cons: Home values 137% higher than the state median; an average commute of 39 minutes; unemployment of 9.5%; a poverty rate of 15.2%.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Ballard
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ballard the median home value is $1,742,200, 424% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,563 per month, which is 34.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Ballard median household income
The median household income in Ballard is $140,833 and the income per person is $71,718. 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Ballard: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 321
- Owner-occupied
- 73.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 26.8%
- Vacant
- 12.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 3.08
Ballard demographics
- Population
- 863
- Median age
- 42.3
- Under 18
- 27.6%
- 65 and older
- 29.7%
- Households
- 280
- Foreign-born
- 12.9%
- Veterans
- 7.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ballard ›
Education in Ballard
53% of adults 25 and older in Ballard have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 30.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ballard
- Unemployment rate
- 9.5%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 39 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 35.1%
- Drive alone
- 46.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.6%
Ballard vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard | 863 | $140,833 | $1,742,200 | $2,563 |
| Los Olivos | 1,038 | $143,229 | $1,522,700 | $2,194 |
| Santa Ynez | 4,467 | $110,781 | $1,163,000 | $1,969 |
| Solvang | 6,034 | $109,091 | $949,600 | $1,666 |
| Buellton | 5,074 | $99,936 | $837,400 | $2,194 |
| Los Alamos | 1,163 | $79,167 | $831,300 | $2,882 |
| Mission Hills | 3,859 | $111,974 | $492,900 | $1,838 |
| Goleta | 32,685 | $122,370 | $1,062,100 | $2,437 |
| Lompoc | 43,646 | $72,004 | $472,900 | $1,589 |
More for people moving to Ballard
Ballard ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ballard: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ballard, CA?
The median household income in Ballard is $140,833, 42% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ballard?
The median home value in Ballard is $1,742,200, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Ballard?
The median gross rent in Ballard is $2,563 per month, about 34.9% of household income.
Is Ballard, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 42% higher than the California median. Minuses: home values 137% higher than the state median; an average commute of 39 minutes; unemployment of 9.5%; a poverty rate of 15.2%.
What is the median age in Ballard?
The median age in Ballard is 42.3 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Ballard?
The average commute to work in Ballard is 39 minutes; 35.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ballard?
The unemployment rate in Ballard is 9.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ballard?
53% of adults in Ballard have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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