Santa Maria is a city located in Santa Barbara County on the Central Coast of California. With a population of over 100,000 residents, it is the largest city in the county and serves as the commercial and cultural center of the Santa Maria Valley.
Population and Demographics
According to the Wikipedia page for Santa Maria, the 2020 census recorded a population of 107,263 residents, making it the most populous city in the county. Santa Maria has seen steady population growth over the past few decades, with the population nearly doubling since 1980.
Santa Maria has a majority Hispanic and Latino population, making up 70% of residents. 30% of residents are white, while other races such as Asian, Black and Native American comprise smaller percentages. Over 50% of residents speak Spanish at home. The median age is relatively young at 30.7 years old.
Economy and Major Employers
Agriculture and related industries are major economic drivers in Santa Maria and the surrounding valley. According to the City of Santa Maria’s Economic Development Department, the top industries are agriculture, food processing, aerospace, education, healthcare, retail and tourism. The Santa Maria Valley is home to strawberry, wine grape and vegetable production. Agricultural commodities and related processing and packaging companies are major employers.
Education is another major employer in the city, with Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District and Santa Maria Bonita School District. Major private sector employers include medical providers like Marian Regional Medical Center, as well as companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Teledyne Commercial Electronics and many more. The City of Santa Maria Facebook page frequently features economic development updates and profiles of local businesses.
Landmarks and Attractions
Santa Maria is home to a number of landmarks and attractions that highlight the history and culture of the region.
The Santa Maria Inn is a historic hotel that dates back to the late 1800s, with ties to celebrities like Rudolph Valentino. The inn is famous for being the site of the world-renowned Santa Maria-style barbecue.
The Santa Maria Valley Railroad Historic District has a collection of historic railroad structures and buildings that reflect the importance of rail to the valley’s economy. The district is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum provides an interactive exploration of the region’s natural, cultural and scientific heritage. They offer educational programs for kids and adults.
Santa Maria is also home to the Santa Maria Speedway, which hosts auto racing and other events. The Santa Maria Country Club is an 18-hole golf course with a long history dating back to 1916.
Sports
Residents of Santa Maria are passionate supporters of local sports teams. The most notable is the Allan Hancock College Football team, which has won 11 national championships at the community college level. Their stadium, Righetti Warrior Stadium, hosts other local high school and college football games as well.
Santa Maria is also home to the Santa Maria Indians, a semi-professional soccer team competing in the United Premier Soccer League. The Santa Maria Packers are a collegiate summer baseball team that competes in the California Collegiate League and play at Ed Adams Field.
Transportation
Santa Maria’s location along U.S. Route 101 makes it easily accessible by car, located just over 200 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 150 miles south of San Jose. The city is served by Santa Maria Public Airport with flights to major hubs. Amtrak provides regional rail service on the Pacific Surfliner route.
Within the city, Santa Maria Area Transit provides local bus service. The Clean Air Express connects Santa Maria to Lompoc, Buellton and Solvang. Bicycle routes and trails allow for recreation and commuting by bike.
Education
Public education in Santa Maria is provided by the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District for grades 9-12 and the Santa Maria Bonita School District for grades K-8. The city has four high schools – Ernest Righetti High School, Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Maria High School, Delta High School – and nine K-8 elementary schools.
Higher education includes Allan Hancock College, a California public community college. Santa Maria is located near Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and both campuses of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Arts and Culture
The Santa Maria Valley Historical Society operates museums and historical sites to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the region. This includes the Santa Maria Valley Railroad Museum and Casa de la Guerra Adobe.
performance venues include the Peter Panic Theatre, Santa Maria Civic Theatre and Marian Theatre. The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts provides world-class theatre training.
The Santa Maria Public Library offers programs, classes, books, internet access, online resources and more. The library hosts events and exhibits showcasing local arts and culture.
Popular local events range from the Santa Maria Fairpark Strawberry Festival in April and the Day at the Dunes celebration on Labor Day weekend. The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade occurs in August.