Last Updated on: 1st August 2023, 12:50 pm
Orcutt is an unincorporated town in Santa Barbara County, California, just south of and conjoined to Santa Maria. Known for its pools of asphalt, near the Hancock Ranch, which famously dregs up fossils of ancient fauna, the town was named for William Warren Orcutt, a geologist working with the Union Oil Company who is credited with finding said asphalt pits. Founded in the early 1900s around the Santa Maria oil fields, the boom would be short-lived as highways directed business to Santa Maria instead. Nowadays, Orcutt serves as a middle-class suburban community to Santa Maria, becoming one of the fastest growing places in the county in the early 2000s. Living in Orcutt is a treat!
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Table of Contents
Where is Orcutt, CA?
Orcutt is in Santa Barbara County, bordering Santa Maria to the north, and is part of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metropolitan area. This proximity is why Orcutt is mostly used as a bedroom community for work opportunities in Santa Maria. It is a 60 mile and 1 hour drive from Orcutt, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Orcutt, CA Population & Demographics
The population of Orcutt is 32,034 distributed over 10.8 miles at a population density of about 3,000 people per square mile. The median age here is 39.6, and 9% of Orcutt’s population is foreign born. Additionally, 30% of Orcutt’s population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. Orcutt’s population has been gradually growing, as more people seek out affordable property here. Get it while it’s hot!
The demographics of Orcutt’s population are fairly diverse, with Whites making up 62% of the community’s population, and Hispanics coming in second with 28% of the population. Orcutt’s gender ratio has an ever so slight male majority, at 51%.
Is Orcutt, CA safe? Orcutt is a safe place to live in, and you won’t have to worry about becoming the victim of a crime! Orcutt’s violent crime rate is 6% lower than the national average, while the property crime rate is 7% lower, with 456 violent crimes and 1,787 property crimes annually per 100,000 people. The community of Orcutt is served by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Santa Barbara Highway Patrol for traffic-related incidents.
Cost of Living in Orcutt, CA
By dint of being in California, Orcutt’s average cost of living is going to be above the national average, 25% over, in fact. However, the cost of living index for Orcutt is still 25% lower than the state average for California, thanks to the generally lower property prices and utilities in this area. The median home price in Orcutt is $446,200, which is lesser by a significant amount than the average California home price of $538,500. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Orcutt is $2,620 per month.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four will need a yearly income of $122,397 to live here.
If you want to make yourself a part of this community, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Orcutt, CA.
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Orcutt, CA Everyday Expenses
Oftentimes, the best way to get a bead on how expensive a community is is to look at what basic items cost there. Check out these everyday expenses for Orcutt, provided by Numbeo.
- Gallon of Milk – $5.16
- Loaf of Bread – $3.21
- Gallon of Gasoline – $5.44
- Average Orcutt Utilities per Month – $320.59
- Internet per Month – $104.67
Orcutt, CA Neighborhoods
Orcutt is small, a bit too small to have things like distinctive neighborhoods, in fact. However, there’s still lots to know about the real estate in the area. Take a look at some of the real estate information you need to know about Orcutt, California below:
The more affordable properties are concentrated up north, near Santa Maria. More expensive properties tend to be out south, in the open areas near the Rancho Maria Golf Club. As one might expect, the properties down south are larger and more open, while the properties up north are more compact.
Orcutt, CA Climate & Weather
According to the Koppen Climate Classification, Orcutt is a dry-summer subtropical, or Mediterranean climate. The great weather around these parts is one of the draws! You can expect lows of 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, and highs of 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Orcutt gets far less than the average amount of rainfall when compared with the rest of the United States, with only 16 inches per year as compared to 38. Orcutt experiences no snowfall whatsoever. The best times to visit Orcutt, in terms of comfort rating, are July and August.
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Things to Do in Orcutt, CA
Want to know about the most interesting things to do in Orcutt, California? Check out great shopping in the community like the Old Town Market for all your shopping needs! You should also check out some of the best things to do in Orcutt, CA below:
Waller Park
This beautiful, family friendly park located right in the middle of Orcutt is a lovely place for a day out with the kids. Not only does it offer an extensive playground, but it also offers sports courts, disc golf courses, and more!
Waller Park, 3107 Orcutt Rd, Orcutt, CA 93455 (805) 934-6123
Orcutt Trails
One of the best parts about the Santa Barbara area is its wealth of natural sights to see and explore. The Orcutt Trails provide a perfect opportunity for exploring California’s wonderful wilderness.
Orcutt Trails, 5800 S Bradley Rd, Orcutt, CA 93455 (805) 621-7792
Orcutt Hills
Just a bit south-west of the Orcutt Trailhead lies the Orcutt Hills. These hills also have trails that intersect with the others, but are a bit more tame – good if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing!
Orcutt Hills, Orcutt, CA 93455
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Orcutt, CA Additional Attractions:
Orcutt does not have its own parks & recreation, instead being served by the Santa Maria parks & recreation department. See all the events that are planned in the Santa Maria and Orcutt area with the Santa Maria community calendar.
Places to Eat in Orcutt, CA
Alongside its host of things to do, Orcutt is also home to plenty of great eats! Check out some below:
Kay’s Orcutt Country Kitchen
A local favorite, Kay’s Country Kitchen is a family-owned diner based out of a restored 1904 building, built just on the eve of Orcutt’s founding. Enjoy lovely American dishes in this equally lovely hole-in-the-wall joint!
Kay’s Country Kitchen, 135 E Clark Ave, Orcutt, CA 93455 (805) 934-4429
Jack’s in Old Orcutt
Would you know it, two restaurants in Orcutt can claim to be based out of buildings that are nothing less than antiques! Another family-owned restaurant, this time specializing in breakfast, this one is ran out of a fifty year old building, and is a hit amongst locals!
Jack’s in Old Orcutt, 156 Broadway St, Orcutt, CA 93455 (805) 937-1871
Far Western Tavern
Living in California means you ought to try true Californian cuisine – thankfully, Far Western Tavern has you covered. Enjoy old-fashioned Californian cuisine at this unique restaurant!
Far Western Tavern, 300 E Clark Ave, Orcutt, CA 93455 (805) 937-2211
Orcutt, CA Schools & Colleges
Orcutt is served solely by the Orcutt Union Elementary School District. Some of Orcutt’s excellent institutions include the Orcutt Academy Charter and the Orcutt Junior High. While options are limited within Orcutt itself, there’s plenty of other schools in the area of Santa Maria, only a short drive away!
Students and others in Orcutt are served by the Orcutt branch of the Santa Maria Public Library.
Jobs in Orcutt, CA
Orcutt is a bit too small to enjoy any sort of large industry, but Santa Maria is well known as having agriculture and military job opportunities, particularly with aerospace, due to the nearby Air Force base. According to Payscale, the most popular positions of employment are Human Resources Manager, Operations Manager, and Design Engineer. The most popular employers in Santa Maria are Hardy Diagnostics, Lockheed Martin Corp, and Dignity Health. The average salary for a worker in Orcutt is $67k a year, while the average hourly wage is $19.43.
See the latest openings for jobs in Orcutt here.
Map of Orcutt, CA
Explore Orcutt’s large variety of things to do, places to eat, and more with this map!
Orcutt, CA Statistics & Information
- County: Santa Barbara
- Area: 11 square miles
- Zip code: 93455 and 93457
- Area code: 805
- Elevation: 358 feet
- Time zone: PST
- Closest airport: Santa Maria Airport (SMX), 3 miles away
Pros & Cons of Living in Orcutt, CA
- Pro: Affordable properties
- Pro: Quickly growing community
- Pro: Quick commute to Santa Maria
- Pro: Wonderful California weather
- Con: California taxes
Does Orcut’s charm make you want to make this community your new home? Give Martian Movers a call at 805-779-3844! Our Orcutt movers will make your transition to a new place a breeze! Call now or fill out our online form for a free quote!
